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UK: Scottish & Newcastle could face a drinks boycott at this year’s Edinburgh Festival. Festival-goers in Edinburgh are to be urged to boycott beer sold by Scottish and Newcastle in protest at its plans to shut the city's Fountain Brewery. The Transport and General Workers' Union said it would be building a campaign in the run-up to the Fringe, which takes place in August. It wants the company to reconsider the closure, which will cost 170 jobs. Beer has been brewed on the Fountain Brewery site since 1856.

Last month, S&N announced that it would shut the Fountainbridge brewery in central Edinburgh, with the loss of 170 jobs. The current plant is due to close by the end of the year after Scottish and Newcastle announced it was buying a smaller production operation from Caledonian Brewery.

The union believes the closure is unnecessary as the brewery is efficient and profitable. It is also hoping to meet with the company in an attempt to avoid the job losses.

"We will be expanding our campaign to involve politicians, trade unions, the Scottish community and customers who are concerned that brands will be lost in Scotland as a result of the City-inspired brewery closure," national organiser Brian Revell said. "We intend to have a high-profile presence at the festival so that the million-plus visitors realise that Scottish and Newcastle is unnecessarily dismissing its loyal workforce and closing a successful, efficient and profitable brewery," said Mr Revell.

A spokesman for S&N said: "We are disappointed by this call to boycott our products as we do not believe it is a constructive way of dealing with the issues. "Our priority is to offer maximum support to those affected by the brewery closure and we will continue to discuss these matters with representatives of the T&G."


12 March, 2004