Heineken is set to close Edinburgh’s iconic Caledonian Brewery after 153 years following a fall in production over the last decade.
Joe Clark, Unite Unions food and drinks officer said the closure was “devastating news for Caledonian Brewery which has a 150-year long tradition and history in Edinburgh.”
Although Heineken’s UK supply chain director Matt Callan said the “decision had not been taken lightly and the company was “acutely aware of what the brewery represents in Edinburgh and its role and heritage in the history of Scottish brewing.` The decision has cost more than 30 jobs and will surely have further impacts on the overall community which has had the brewery as part of their life for over 150 years.
Although beer lovers can rest assured that Heineken have struck a deal that does see the most popular brands such as Deuchars, Coast to Coast and Maltsmiths continue production, however they will now be moved to Belhaven brewery in Dunbar.
Callan stated that the main reason behind the decision was that “its Victorian infrastructure means significant inefficiencies and costs, particularly as it is operating below capacity.”
“To modernise the brewery, and to meet our own sustainability commitments, would require considerable ongoing investment, which would make operating the brewery economically unviable.”
