Well, this is a shocker for craft beer fans! Scottish giant BrewDog is saying goodbye to 10 of its UK pubs, and yes, that includes their legendary original spot in Aberdeen. What’s even wilder is that some of these closures are happening “within days.” As you can imagine, this move hasn’t gone down well with the trade union Unite, which is calling it “morally repugnant” and potentially even unlawful.
Why the Sudden Shutdown?
So, why the sudden squeeze? BrewDog’s spokesperson attributed it to the usual suspects plaguing the hospitality industry right now: soaring costs, tighter regulations, and significant economic pressure. They said that despite everyone’s best efforts, these particular pubs just couldn’t make enough money to stay viable.
“This isn’t just about the tough UK market,” the spokesperson explained. “It’s a proactive decision to really sharpen our focus on the bar division for long-term, profitable growth.” It’s tough, especially when some of these places, like the Aberdeen bar, are deeply ingrained in BrewDog’s history. But, as they put it, there’s “no realistic prospect of making these venues commercially viable.”
The pubs getting the axe are spread across the UK: Aberdeen, Dundee, Leeds, Brighton, Oxford, Sheffield, York, and three in London. That’s a significant chunk of their 71 UK bars.
Brewdog to close 10 UK pubs this week. See the full list https://t.co/ZpWebJlVSZ pic.twitter.com/CQpQQoUcyc
— The Independent (@Independent) July 22, 2025
Unite Says, “Not So Fast, BrewDog!”
This swift action has, predictably, ruffled many feathers. Bryan Simpson, Unite’s national lead for hospitality, didn’t hold back. “For BrewDog to give loyal workers less than four days’ notice of the closure of their workplace is not just morally repugnant, it is potentially unlawful,” he fumed. He also accused the company of having “not the slightest regard for basic employment law, let alone the welfare of their workers.” Unite is now rallying support for affected staff, urging anyone impacted to get in touch for legal help.
BrewDog, for their part, says there’ll be a 14-day consultation period for all staff facing redundancy. They’re keeping mum on the exact number of employees affected, emphasizing that their main goal is to redeploy staff where possible.
Sad to hear today that @BrewDogAberdeen will close on Saturday!
I’ve made so many friends and even did a beer tasting at the top of bennachie because of this place!
Too many people to name but @achtung_davie @RyanHeatly and so many others!! #FirstOfTheFew #BrewDogAberdeen pic.twitter.com/1JiwH2RK3B
— Andi Watson (@andiabz) July 22, 2025
BrewDog’s Rollercoaster Ride
BrewDog, founded by James Watt and Martin Dickie, a pair of fishermen, in 2007, quickly gained fame for its bold craft beers, IPAs, and distinctive “punk” marketing vibe. They’ve certainly grown into a global powerhouse, with breweries and pubs all over the world, from Dubai to the USA and Australia.
But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. The company has hit headlines for more than just its beer in recent years. Back in 2021, former employees spoke out in an open letter, painting a picture of a “culture of fear” and “toxic attitudes” towards junior staff. Then, a year later, a BBC Disclosure investigation featured accusations of inappropriate behavior against co-founder James Watt (which his lawyers denied, and Ofcom later rejected complaints of unfair treatment). And just last January, they faced backlash again for deciding not to hire new staff at the real living wage, opting instead for the lower legal minimum.
James Watt himself stepped down as CEO last year, assuming a new “captain and co-founder” role while retaining his shares. Despite these bumps, BrewDog has continued to expand, even launching a joint venture with Budweiser in China last year. On the financial front, things appeared to be looking up, with revenue reaching £321.2m in 2022-23, and the company reportedly returning to profitability in 2024 after a few challenging years.
So, while BrewDog might be back in the black, these pub closures are a stark reminder that even big names aren’t immune to the intense pressures facing the UK’s hospitality sector. Rising operational costs, increased regulation, and broader economic pressures continue to pose a significant challenge to commercial viability, even for established players. While BrewDog asserts these closures are part of a proactive strategy for sustainable growth, the immediate impact on employees and the criticism from trade unions highlight the human cost and legal complexities involved in such business restructuring decisions.
This situation puts BrewDog, once lauded as an industry disruptor, back in the spotlight for its corporate practices. The balance between profitability and employee welfare is a tightrope walk for any company, especially in a sector as volatile as the hospitality industry. The coming weeks will likely see further developments as the consultation process unfolds and Unite continues its advocacy for the affected workers. It’s a challenging time for the craft beer community, both for those who love BrewDog’s unique brews and those whose livelihoods are directly impacted by these decisions.
