In a post shared to LinkedIn last week, Watt explained the “sweepstake” offered one winner the chance to win a year’s worth of free beer in a bid to “speed up” Durham County Council in confirming an opening date after multiple delays.
He said: “We have decided to organise a sweepstake, and we are encouraging members of the council to participate too! The winner, who guesses the correct date, will win a year’s worth of free beer!
“Simply leave the date which you think BrewDog Durham will officially open in the comments [of the post] and if you are correct, you win the beery reward.”
The CEO lashed out at Durham Council for a second time in the post, claiming BrewDog still had “no idea” when the venue would be able to open after signing a new lease for a site in Durham’s Milburngate development in August 2021.
Epic ineptitude
However, the council has hit back at the claims it delayed the scheme, adding the development is owned by a private company and not the responsibility of the council.
Watt said: “At a time when the UK needs jobs, needs investment, and needs economic rejuvenation more than ever, this staggering display of incompetence here by the council is almost beyond comprehension.
“It is no wonder the UK is falling far behind other countries in terms of economic performance and standard of living.
“[Due to] the epic ineptitude and complete paralysis of the council our economy is missing out on hundreds of jobs, the Government are missing out on valuable tax revenue and the good people of Durham are missing out on brilliant entertainment options.”
The brand allegedly completed construction, having invested around £1m into the location, with a view to open the bar in 2022, though Watt claimed the council had repeatedly delayed opening since then.
Moreover, the founder and CEO claimed sites at the development for Everyman Cinema and Premier Inn had faced similar issues.
Though the council asserted it is not responsible for confirming an opening date, adding it has worked “tirelessly” to ensure the safe completion of the project and has not delayed opening.
“We meet regularly with representatives for Brewdog but have also reached out to Mr Watt directly to discuss his concerns"
A spokesperson for the council for Durham County Council said: “We are aware of comments on social media by the CEO of Brewdog.
“While we share his disappointment at the progress with the site, Milburngate is not our development, so it is wrong to imply that it is for the council to determine when it will open.
“The Milburngate site is owned by a private company, which is responsible for providing the delivery programme and the completion of the development, including the remediation of a number of fire safety issues.
“It is very disappointing that, to date, this has not been provided by the developer, which means the development cannot progress.”
The spokesperson added the council’s focus “from day one” has been ensuring the safety of the development while acting in the public interest.
“Durham is a vibrant city, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site and many successful developments in recent years.
Economic development
“We have an established track record of delivering major regeneration schemes and of working in collaboration with the private sector and have worked tirelessly to try and support the developer in delivering the Milburngate scheme.
“We meet regularly with representatives for Brewdog but have also reached out to Mr Watt directly to discuss his concerns”, they continued.
In November last year the CEO condemned Durham County Council for its “staggering display of incompetence” regarding the situation.
Watt’s latest post said: “We created almost 30 brand new jobs, and we hired a full team for the beautiful new venue. We even had food and drink on the tables in preparation for the opening.
“We only did this, as the council had told us we were going to be able to open. And then they changed their mind, and on multiple occasions, delayed the opening.”
