A shocking mass layoff has left hundreds of Brewdog employees reeling. In a 15-minute conference call, these workers were abruptly informed of their job losses, sparking outrage from unions. The call came after beverage giant Tilray acquired parts of the struggling Aberdeenshire-based brewer and pub chain for £33 million, excluding dozens of bars from the rescue deal. This led to the immediate closure of 38 bars across the UK and the redundancy of 484 staff.
Unite union's Bryan Simpson called the events "morally repugnant" and revealed that staff were given just 25 minutes' notice of the call, with cameras off and no opportunity to ask questions. The redundancy process, he said, was the worst he had witnessed, even during the pandemic. And here's where it gets controversial: Simpson claims that staff were told they would be paid through the insolvency service, effectively by the public purse.
Brewdog's troubles began years ago, with the company facing criticism for abandoning the living wage and closing bars in 2023. The company's reputation took a further hit with staff complaints about workplace culture and allegations of inappropriate behavior. These issues culminated in the departure of CEO James Watt in 2024 and co-founder Martin Dickie in 2025.
But the real controversy lies in the fate of the company's investors. Brewdog's unique fundraising scheme, Equity for Punks, attracted 200,000 investors who spent an average of £500 on shares. However, the scheme's investors, including those who invested larger sums, will receive no return from the Tilray deal. This has left many investors feeling frustrated and angry, with some questioning the company's 'punk' ethos and marketing hype.
The situation raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the impact of business decisions on employees and investors alike. As Brewdog navigates this turbulent time, the public is left wondering: can the company recover from this storm, or will it be another casualty in the hospitality industry?
