Easington MP Grahame Morris has hit out at Durham County Council following a damming statement from Brewdog CEO James Watt.

In a LinkedIn post titled “The Tragic Tale of BrewDog Durham,”, Mr Watt gives a timeline of events relating to the unopened premises on the new Milburn Gate development from signing the lease in August 2021 to the ‘complete radio silence from the council as to when we can open”.

Mr Watts said: “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.

We still have no idea when we can open our doors despite the site being ready for well over a year now.”

A new Everyman Cinema and Premier Inn hotel are also facing similar delays on the development site.

Easington MP Grahame Morris, who is currently campaigning against the imposition of damaging car parking charges on the Durham coastline, accused the Council of making his communities pay for the Local Authority’s failures and mismanagement, he said:

“This is a complete failure of leadership at Durham County Council and those tasked with delivering regeneration and economic growth.

Rather than penalising our coastal communities with charges to deter visitors, they should be raising revenues and delivering jobs by getting businesses like BrewDog up and running, generating much needed new business rate receipts.

When a globally recognised brand is warning of ineptitude and complete paralysis of the Council, we must listen. Our County is in a lose lose situation with the Council trying to stifle business and growth in Seaham and Crimdon, while standing in the way of businesses like Brew Dog and Premier Inn.

Durham County Council are undermining our community, our economy and our jobs, they are damaging our reputation. The Regeneration, Economy, and Growth remit at Durham County Council needs to be placed into special measures, as they are now damaging rather than supporting our economy.”