Rich White from the Werewolf brewery

An independent brewery has offered shifts and support to former Brewdog staff in Camden, after that brewery announced the immediate closure of 38 pubs across the country.

A wave of almost 500 redundancies was triggered across Brewdog-owned venues, including the Camden Road Arms, after the announcement last week that they had been bought by US cannabis and brewing company Tilray in a deal worth £33million.

Staff members were told of their redundancy in a 15-minute Zoom call with less than 24 hours notice, with no chance to engage or ask questions.

Bryan Simpson, national lead for hospitality at Unite the Union, which represents Brewdog staff, said that this week had been “devastating” for Brewdog employees.

Mr Simpson said: “The way in which senior management have conducted themselves throughout this sales process has been nothing short of a national disgrace – the press and Tilray announced the deal before workers were told.”

Rich White, the owner of independent brewery Werewolf in Randolph Street, said that it was “cowardly and lazy” of the business to close up shop without any official notice, and would leave staff vulnerable.

Werewolf already gives some shifts to a former Brewdog employee and said although it may be a “‘drop in the ocean” they would do their best to help out any staff made redundant in the announcement.

He added that although it may appear “opportunistic” he would also encourage any of the venue’s regular drinkers to jump ship from “private equity funded pubs” to support independent locals like Werewolf.

He told the New Journal: “I was an early supporter of Brewdog and the Equity For Punks scheme, but became disillusioned with their management as they continued to treat people badly over the past few years. Their owners, rather than owning their behaviour, trying to change and apologising as any normal human would, completely quad­rupled down.”

Addressing the challenges faced by small breweries and competition with larger brands, Mr White said: “Werewolf is trying to preserve the soul of Camden Town, but we’re in tough times at the moment, people don’t have as much disposable income. It used to be that if you build it, they will come. Now it’s build it, and then you have to find them, and drag them in, kicking and screaming. People don’t even realise that their favourite breweries and pubs are owned by chains like Heineken or Brewdog.

“I don’t make money doing this, and I need things to turn a corner if I’m ever gonna be remotely comfortable, and dragging people across the corner here is like pulling teeth. So if Brewdog acting terribly is my leverage to get people over here, I’m gonna take it.”

The Camden Road Arms has closed

In a post online, Brewdog co-founder James Watt said: “I am heartbroken for all of the hard-working and passionate team members who have lost their jobs. I am heartbroken for all of our brilliant equity punks who did not get the return on their investment they wanted.”

Mr White was an early supporter of the equity for punks crowdfunding scheme that was set up in 2009, amassing investments of £75m from fans of their beers.

It is looking increasingly inevitable that supporters will see no return on their investment after the sale of the businesses.

Co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie are reportedly worth over £400m.

Self-styled “punks” Brew­dog opened their flagship venue in Camden in 2008, with James Watt driving a tank through Camden’s streets in a publicity stunt.

The Camden Brewdog was closed down last summer in a separate wave of closures.

Brewdog was invited to comment but did not respond.