Edinburgh jobs: Union says 96 jobs to go as Tennent's announces closure of Newbridge depot

Operations will transfer to existing site at Cambuslang

Drinks company Tennent’s plans to close its distribution depot at Newbridge, which the Unite union says will mean the loss of 96 Edinburgh-based jobs.  

Unite said the company was proposing to transfer 41 jobs to another existing site in Cambuslang, but said even that figure would involve more than half the jobs being axed and was dependent on whether people could travel the 40 miles to Cambuslang.

The Unite union says the closure of the Newbridge site will mean the loss of 96 Edinburgh-based jobs.

The union said “all options” must be on the table to save the plant, which has only been operating since October 2020.

 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.”

Tennent’s Lager has been brewed since 1885 and is Scotland’s best-selling beer. Tennent Caledonian Breweries UK Limited is owned by C&C Group plc. The parent group made a profit after tax of £45.5 million in 2023 on a turnover of £1.5 billion. 

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.”