Edinburgh jobs at risk as brewing giant Tennent's announce plans to close site

Edinburgh jobs have been placed at risk after Tennent's announced plans to close their production facility on the outskirts of the city.

The shock news was announced on Wednesday with the Scottish brewing giant announcing plans to close its Newbridge site which has been in operations since November 2020.

As our sister title the Daily Record reports, Unite the union, which represents workers at the facility, said the move would be a "premature decision" by C&C Group, which owns the brewery.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite is determined to pursue every avenue to stop the proposed closure of the Newbridge facility. Tennent's which is Scotland's largest beer company is a subsidiary of the very profitable C&C Group PLC.

"This is an extremely premature decision. We will leave no stone unturned in an effort to keep jobs at Newbridge."

The union says it was informed on Wednesday of the firm's hopes to transfer operations to its Cambuslang site. It is also proposing to transfer 41 jobs between the two locations, however the union argues more than half the jobs will still be axed.

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A spokesperson for C&C Group has since confirmed plans to offer the "majority" of colleagues impacted by the closure alternative employment, with a consultation process underway to provide employees with support and minimise job losses.

Pat Egan, Unite industrial officer: added: "This is devastating news for the workforce at Tennent's Newbridge. The company promised that having a facility in Edinburgh was only the start of its expansion. The site has only been operating for a few years and it's a cruel blow that 96 workers are facing redundancy. Unite is demanding urgent meetings with Tennent's so that we can develop a strategy to save the plant."

C&C Group PLC made a profit after tax of £45.5 million in 2023 on a turnover of £1.5 billion. Tennent's Lager is Scotland's best-selling beer and has been brewing since 1885.

A spokesperson for C&C Group, owners of Tennent’s, commented: “To service our customers more effectively, we have taken the decision to close our depot in Newbridge, Edinburgh.

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"Operations will transfer to our existing facility in Cambuslang. The majority of colleagues impacted by this proposal are being offered alternative employment and a consultation process is currently underway as we seek to provide all necessary support and minimise any job losses.

"This proposal to transfer our distribution operation from Newbridge to Cambuslang is expected to conclude by the end of June 2024, with no anticipated impact on customer service.”