Popular bar chain is closing 10 venues with first one shutting this Friday

BrewDog has confirmed plans to shut ten bars - with one venue closing as soon as this Friday.

The Scottish brewery and craft beer company has revealed its Camden branch will close on Friday, while the others - including its flagship Aberdeen venue - will pull down the shutters from this Saturday onwards.

BrewDog says it has launched a consultation process with all affected staff, which will last a minimum of 14 days. A spokesperson added that the firm expects to redeploy many of the workers affected by the closures to other bars.

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CEO James Taylor sent a message to all staff, explaining that the venues were no longer making money. He said: "Following much consideration, we have sadly concluded that there is no realistic prospect of making these venues commercially viable.

"Keeping them open would put pressure on the wider business, making it harder to invest where we know we can grow. This decision is not simply a response to the challenging UK hospitality market, but a proactive decision to redefine the bar division’s focus.

"This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. But as we evolve BrewDog into a more focused and sustainable business, we’ve had to be honest about where we are - and where we’re heading."

A spokesperson for BrewDog said: “We can confirm that following a review of our bars business we have made the difficult decision to close 10 bars – which reflects a more focused strategy and a rationalisation of our bar footprint. Despite our best efforts, and the hard work of our teams, it has simply not been possible to make these bars commercially viable.

“This decision is not simply a response to the challenging UK hospitality market, but a proactive decision to redefine the bar division’s focus for long-term and profitable growth – accounting for ongoing industry challenges, including rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures.

“We are working hard to minimise the impact on our people, and we expect to redeploy many affected team members across the BrewDog network. For those leaving the business, we’re providing as much support as possible during this transition. We remain passionate and firmly committed to our bars, and optimistic about the future, as we still see significant long-term opportunity.”

But the closures were slammed by Unite Hospitality, who posted to X: “Brewdog have announced that they are closing 10 flagship bars from Aberdeen to Camden, as soon as THIS FRIDAY!

“In what universe is 3 DAYS a morally (or legally) acceptable notice period for a proper redundancy consultation for the workers impacted?!”

Full list of BrewDog bars that are closing

• Aberdeen Flagship (Gallowgate)
• Brighton
• Camden
• Dundee
• Leeds North Street
• Oxford
• Sheffield
• Shepherds Bush
• Shoreditch
• York