Breaking News: Tetley brewery to close in Leeds
AROUND 170 jobs are to be lost following a decision by drinks giant Carlsberg to close its historic brewery site in West Yorkshire.
The company is citing falling consumption and high duties for its decision to shut the famous Leeds site by 2011.
It confirmed that consultation with staff has started and that the company would seek to relocate affected employees.
Nick Webb, supply chain director of Carlsberg UK, said: “We are announcing the closure proposal more than two years in advance so that our employees are able to prepare for the future.
“We have to consider difficult decisions to remain competitive in the current environment and we regret the risk to the jobs of our employees.”
He added: “Although the business has remained robust in tough market conditions, this proposed move is vital to ensure Carlsberg UK remains a strong and sustainable business in the future.”
Carlsberg’s decision marks an end to the brewery’s long history. First built in 1822, it originally produced just Tetley beers. Today, it still produces Tetley alongside Carlsberg and is one of two UK sites owned by the brewer.
Carlsberg has said that the company will continue brewing Tetley beer but could not confirm that it would be in Yorkshire.
It said it would preferably somewhere else in the region, if not in the North of England but that it would “definitely” in the UK.
No details have been given on what will happen to that site. However, Carlsberg said that Tetley would continue its sponsorship of rugby league teams Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls.
More than 30 breweries have closed over the past decade due to beer falling out favour with consumers but more recently drinks firms have been hit by the credit crisis with sales recently slumping by around 8%.
