Tennent’s to close major Scottish plant with around 100 Scots jobs at risk

Scotland’s largest beer brand Tennent’s is set to close its Edinburgh distribution plant with a loss of around 100 jobs.

The brewery opened the 50,000 square metre Newbridge site in 2020 to cope with the demand for its beer on the east coast.

But owner Tennent Caledonian Breweries, a subsidiary of C&C group, announced today it will shut the facility and transfer distribution to its site in Cambuslang.

Union bosses said 96 workers are facing redundancy – with 41 being offered to transfer to the Lanarkshire site with a 40-mile commute each way.

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.”

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.”

A spokesperson for C&C Group, owners of Tennent’s, 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.”

Elsewhere, all staff have been made redundant at a Scottish charity after the organisation went into liquidation.

Right Track Scotland Limited has appointed William Duncan as liquidator after it collapsed.

The board of the company placed it into insolvency after it experienced “funding disruption”.

And a manufacturing firm has abandoned plans to bring almost 600 jobs to a Scots town.

The decision by satellite manufacturing giant Mangata Networks was made due to “challenging economic conditions”.