TENNENT’S is set to close a Scottish site with almost 100 jobs at risk.
The iconic Scottish beer’s Newbridge distribution centre, west of Edinburgh, is to close with the loss of 96 jobs, trade union Unite said.
The union further reported that Tennent’s is proposing to transfer 41 jobs from the plant to its site at Cambuslang, meaning 51 are to be lost.
Unite said workers at the Newbridge site had been told of the company’s plans on Wednesday morning.
In a statement later that day, 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 Newbridge facility has only been operating since October 2020.
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.”
Tennent’s directed The National to the C&C Group for comment.
A spokesperson for C&C Group said: “To service our customers more effectively, we have taken the decision to close our depot in Newbridge, Edinburgh.
"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.”
