Brewdog closes all bars for a day as it looks to complete sale
BBC World
March 2, 2026
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Brewdog, the Scottish craft beer giant, has closed all its bars for a day as part of efforts to complete the sale of its business. The move comes after the company brought in consultants from AlixPartners last month following years of failing to turn a profit. Brewdog’s chief executive, James Taylor, informed staff in an internal email that the closures were necessary to comply with licensing issues tied to potential changes in ownership. He also announced a series of All Hands meetings for employees to discuss the next steps.
The company, founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, operates breweries and pubs globally, including about 60 locations across the UK. Brewdog has faced significant challenges in recent years, including job cuts in October last year after reporting a £37m loss. Earlier this year, it closed 10 bars across the UK, including its flagship pub in Aberdeen. The decision to close all bars temporarily highlights the company’s ongoing financial struggles and its efforts to streamline operations.
Brewdog has also halted production of its gin and vodka brands at its distillery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, as part of a strategy to focus on its core beer business. However, the company’s recent decision to stop offering new hires the real living wage, opting instead to pay the lower legal minimum wage, has drawn criticism. Despite these challenges, Brewdog remains a significant player in the global brewing industry, with breweries in the US, Australia, and Germany.
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Originally published on BBC World on 3/2/2026