Staff 'gutted' at closure of city's Brewdog bar

Brewdog's Leeds premises closes on Saturday

Staff at one of the 10 bars marked for closure by Scottish craft beer giant Brewdog have spoken of their shock after discovering they would lose their jobs.

The brewery's Leeds city centre site shuts permanently on Saturday, with bars in York and Sheffield also among those set to close.

Brewdog said the "difficult decision" was driven by "ongoing industry challenges" following the announcement of the closures on Tuesday, but the firm has not confirmed the number of staff affected.

Oscar Glover, who had worked at Brewdog's Leeds branch on North Street for 16 months, said he was "crushed" by the news.

Mr Glover, 20, secured a job with the company after moving to the city to study at university.

He said he had been a fan of Brewdog beers before working for the firm.

"The announcement was even more shocking because it was such short notice," he said.

"We found out on Tuesday that we were going to close on Saturday, for good.

"I'm still settling into the fact that I found out that I'm going to be made redundant."

A Brewdog spokesperson has said the "difficult decision" had been taken as a result of "ongoing industry challenges"

Mr Glover said that despite the personal "shock and dread" he felt at the news, it "wasn't a surprise" to him.

He added: "Just because of how the bars had been performing, which was not well enough to be sustainable for the company, I completely understand that's the reason why they decided to shut down some of them."

Mr Glover said he had been looking for other jobs since the news.

"The job market in Leeds isn't particularly good for bars at the moment," he said.

The bar's duty manager, who did not want to be named, said he had "no idea" what he would do for work next.

"I've not been here that long, but I've settled in with the people and the staff are fantastic," he said.

"It's gutting that we've been forced off on our own separate ways."

Following the announcement of the closures, a Brewdog spokesperson said "rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures" had contributed to the decision.

"Despite our best efforts, and the hard work of our teams, it has simply not been possible to make these bars commercially viable," they said.

"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."

Alcohol culture expert Dan Harwood said changing drinking habits posed a problem for pubs, but that towns and cities "absolutely" still needed venues.

"Young people's attitudes to going out and to drinking culture are changing," he said.

"But even within moderation and reducing alcohol, it doesn't mean everyone is alcohol-free.

"There will always be challenges, but it's about making sure you resonate with your audience and making sure that what you are doing and offering is what people want."

Vincenzo Izzulli said he was concerned about the bar's employees

People in the city centre said they had sympathy for the staff affected.

Vincenzo Izzulli said: "I feel bad because it's not nice for the staff and everybody, it's not a nice situation."

His friend, 22-year-old Frank Fianu, said: "I'm very sad about this. It's one of the most famous brands to be here in Leeds and people like to drink there."

Brewdog fan Frank Fianu said he was sorry the brand would disappear from the city centre

But Jack George said the closure might present more opportunities for "smaller independent companies" to thrive.

"Particularly in a city like Leeds, that is what's encouraged," he said.

"People want something homegrown and independent, as opposed to a mega corporation taking the place of the underdogs."

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