BrewDog, a Scottish craft beer brewer and pub chain, is offering its closed outlets across the United Kingdom to the government to use as Covid-19 vaccination centers. BrewDog bosses are in talks with government ministers to be part of the rollout of the vaccination program, using its fridges to store the vaccines and staff to support health professionals administering the injections.
James Watt, one of the brewery’s founders, has been tweeting about ongoing discussions with the Government. On December 31, Watt suggested to both Matt Hancock and Nicola Sturgeon that BrewDog venues across England and Scotland could help speed up vaccine rollout.
Vaccine update: We are in now talks with the Minister For Vaccine Deployment @nadhimzahawi & @NicolaSturgeon
— James B Watt MBE (@JamesBWatt) January 3, 2021
We have offered all @BrewDog bars to help with a quick roll out of the vaccine. For free.
We have waiting areas, huge refrigerators & ace people who can help organise. pic.twitter.com/kHvvc6HvQo
“We want to show business can be a force for good,” explained Watt. “We have volunteered our venues and our staff. We want to do all we can to help our country and help our community.”
During the start of the pandemic, BrewDog used its distillation expertise to create some 500,000 hand sanitizers that were donated to the NHS.
BrewDog has 75 venues in the UK, and James is also in talks with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to use its spaces as vaccine centers. “I was amazed, within 15 minutes of making the offer, Nicola Sturgeon was in touch,” he said.
BrewDog’s management stated that the bars were ideal with large waiting areas, huge refrigerators, separate rooms for vaccinations, and a skillful team who can help organize the vaccination activities.
