The firm behind a number of iconic whisky brands has launched a bid to build a giant £150m facility in East Ayrshire.
Beam Suntory, which owns Laphroaig, Bowmore and Auchentoshan has unveiled proposals for a new Scotch whisky maturation site at the East Ayrshire boundary just off the M77 near Kingswell.
If blueprints get the go-ahead, the facility would have around 70,000m2 of floor space for whisky storage and associated buildings - which equates to enough space for roughly 500,000 barrels of whisky.
Bosses haven't attached a figure to how many jobs the development would create but Beam Suntory currently employs approximately 400 people in Scotland. The new facility would create more jobs over the phased plan, both during and after construction, whisky chiefs say.
A proposal of application notice has been submitted to East Ayrshire Council with the intention to lodge a planning application in the summer.
The firm now want to gather the views of locals on the project along with key stakeholders.
As part of the design process, Beam Suntory will work with Energy Conscious Design Architects and a wider project team to hold a two-stage public consultation.
A physical event will be held at Burns Mall in Kilmarnock on Saturday, April 22 from 10am to 5pm, followed by a virtual meeting with the project team on Tuesday, April 25 on a dedicated website where the public will be able to view the plans, pose questions and provide comments and suggestions. More details on these events will be provided on a dedicated website, due to go live the week prior to the first consultation.
Craig Martin, general manager of manufacturing operations – UK and Ireland, Beam Suntory said: “Engaging with the community at this early stage of planning will enable us to not only share our plans, but also get valuable feedback from the public.
"This project represents a significant investment for Beam Suntory that will benefit Kilmarnock and position East Ayrshire as a key location for our Scotch whisky business for many years to come, aligning with the East Ayrshire Council’s Strategic Plan to develop the local economy and create jobs."
Beam Suntory has a diverse portfolio of global spirits, including premium Japanese whiskies, American bourbon and Scotch, such as The Ardmore, Auchentoshan, Bowmore, Glen Garioch and Laphroaig.
The fresh investment potential arrives more than 13 years after Johnny Walker owners Diageo pulled out of Kilmarnock — ripping 700 jobs from the town and beyond.
Established in Kilmarnock in 1820, the globally famous brand had grown from a small shop into an iconic business that was recognised all over the world.
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