Tennent’s jobs at risk after brewery giant announces plans to close site

Almost 100 jobs are at risk after Tennent’s announced it plans to close a site in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s largest beer company announced on Wednesday that it planned to close its Newbridge site in the capital, which has been in operation since 2020.

Unite the union said that it had been informed of the plans to transfer production and distribution to the drink giant’s Cambuslang site. 

The union said that the decision was “premature” and it would “leave no stone unturned” in an effort to keep jobs.

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.” 

Tennent’s is proposing to transfer 41 jobs between the two sites, but it will mean more than half the jobs are axed and is dependent on whether people can travel the 40 miles distance to Cambuslang.

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 Caledonian Breweries UK Limited is owned by C&C Group PLC, with the parent group making a profit after tax of £45.5m in 2023 on a turnover of £1.5bn. 

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.”