Last Friday (5th April), a spokesperson announced the closure of the popular Bavarian-themed karaoke bar, along with Shooters sports bar.
Bierkeller proved popular for social events for Leeds’ clubs and societies, owing to its £4 two-pint steins, Tuesday night karaoke, and traditional Bavarian atmosphere. Shooters housed pool tables, shuffleboard facilities, and foosball tables, and provided a fun and competitive atmosphere for sporting events.
The company were refused permanent tenancy in the building, news which came abruptly to them. The spokesperson said:
“We had no advanced knowledge and were given no warning of this and, as a result, everyone has been left in unnecessary limbo by the sudden closure.”
Bierkeller Leeds employs 60 people, all of whom have reportedly been left without secure jobs following the closure. The company went into administration in October 2018, but were taken over by Leeds-based company Access Commercial Investors 6.
The spokesperson said:
“Our primary concern when we took over the business was to keep it running and to secure the jobs of everyone working at each site.
“This decision has left us unable to do this, it has been taken out of our hands, and it is obviously not the outcome we were looking for.”
He expressed the opinion that the abrupt closure was unnecessary, adding:
“Even if the final outcome could not have been avoided, we feel there could have been a more open communication, and the wind-down process could have been more controlled to minimise the impact on staff.”
The company’s other four city centre sites are reportedly unaffected by the closure, and the company are currently in discussions to employ staff from Leeds elsewhere in the business.
Image: [Bierkeller]