Brewery jobs axe move attacked

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The company blamed falling consumption, higher duties and regulatory pressure for the decision to shut its Leeds site in 2011, which has been brewing beer since 1822.

Union officials urged Carlsberg to reverse the decision, while beer group Camra criticised the firm for failing to promote Tetley beers when it said consumer interest in real ales was growing.

Around 37 major breweries have closed in the UK in the past decade, leaving fewer than 35 with the closure of the Leeds site, described by Camra as the biggest real ale brewery in the world.

Consultation with workers has started and Carlsberg said it will seek to redeploy staff where possible, including to its other UK brewery in Northampton, as well as help others find new jobs.

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. 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."

The company said it needed to maximise efficiency to remain competitive in the face of increasingly challenging market conditions, adding: "Unfortunately, in this environment it can no longer justify running two major breweries in the UK."

Tim Roache, regional secretary of the GMB union, said: "This is very disappointing news. We will be seeking talks with Carlsberg to see if there is anything that can be done to change their minds about closing this historic brewery."

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central, said: "This is a terrible blow for staff. There has been a long history of beer-making on this site and the loss of these skilled jobs will hurt, even though about a third of the workforce - in sales and IT - will be kept on."