Brewdog Leeds staff 'gutted' at closure of city's bar
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."
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."
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."
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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