Owners blame building works for bar’s closure
CARDIFF’S Bierkeller is to shut its doors for the final time tomorrow with company bosses blaming the decision to close on redevelopment works around the venue.
The Burning Night Group, the company which ran the German-themed drinking den in Millennium Plaza, opposite the city’s Central train station, said the main reason for the closure was the loss of trade due to the nearby Central Square redevelopment works.
The bar is close to the massive development, which includes the new BBC Wales HQ and the long-awaited bus station.
An employee at Cardiff’s Bierkeller said around 80 members of staff at the venue were told yesterday they were being made redundant.
A letter given to staff said: “It is with regret I need to inform you of the closure of Cardiff Bierkeller from Sunday, August 19, 2018.
“As an employee you will be made redundant from Sunday, August 19, and statutory redundancy will be paid alongside your final wage. This works at one week per year of service after two years of continued employment.
“For hourly paid staff you will receive your wages as normal by Thursday, August 23, 2018, and your final wage on Thursday, August 30.”
The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said staff were in tears after the announcement.
They said yesterday: “A lot of people are angry and upset, a couple of the managers were in tears because they don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills.
“The managers were told yesterday and when staff came in today we were told one by one. A lot of people are confused because if this place is going to shut down, why only tell us a few days before?”
The company said staff from the Cardiff branch would be offered the chance to relocate to the company’s other sites.
CEO of Burning Night Group Allan Harper said: “The closure of Cardiff Bierkeller Entertainment Complex has been caused primarily by the major city centre redevelopment works surrounding the venue for the last twoand-a-half years. With further disruption planned, and the prospect of work continuing for another two years, the related trade impact has unfortunately made the site unsustainable.”