Unite fears over Belhaven future
16th September 2009
Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, has expressed its fears
over the future of the historic Belhaven brewery in Dunbar, near
Edinburgh, following the closure of its bottling plant and the loss
of 20 local jobs without consultation.
Belhaven, now part of the Suffolk based Greene King Group
following a £187 million takeover last year, has announced that its
bottling production will be shifted to Greene King’s plant in Bury
St Edmonds from January 2010.
Despite claims from management that brewing and kegging will
remain at Dunbar, the announcement has sparked concerns over the
company’s future intentions. Belhaven have been brewing in
Dunbar for over 300 years and approximately 170 people are
currently employed at the brewery which is the home of Belhaven
Best and other famous brands.
Unite regional industrial officer Scott Foley said: “The
impending closure of the Belhaven bottling plant and the quick-fire
redundancy of 20 loyal workers without any consultation is
unacceptable.
Belhaven is Greene King’s star performer with the business
posting an operating profit of over £30 million in July, an
increase of nearly 12 per cent on the previous year’s figure.
Revenue is also up nearly 10 per cent to £136 million this year, an
outstanding performance considering revenue growth across the
entire Greene King Group was just 1.3 per cent. The bottling
plant required only £1 million of investment to bring it up to
specification. We now have the ridiculous scenario where beer
will be brewed in Dunbar, trucked to Bury St Edmonds, bottled and
then trucked back to Dunbar.
Management are now saying they have commenced consultation on
the closure which is incredible given 20 posts have already been
made redundant and there is no prospect of saving these jobs – it’s
a futile act. When a profitable employer takes care of its
business like this alarm bells start ringing over their future
intentions.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors: For further information please contact
Unite regional industrial organiser Scott Foley on 07810157915.
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