80 jobs at risk as Belfast brewery put up for sale

Drinks giant Interbew put Northern Ireland's only major brewery on the market tonight and warned it will close if a buyer is …

Drinks giant Interbew put Northern Ireland's only major brewery on the market tonight and warned it will close if a buyer is not found.

Around 80 people are employed in producing beer at Bass Ireland's Ulster Brewery in West Belfast's Glen Road. Those jobs will go if a buyer does not come forward.

Announcing its decision to sell, Interbrew UK said the decision had been taken following an unsuccessful three-month intensive search throughout the UK and Ireland for production contracts to replace volume that will be lost at the conclusion of a soft drinks contract at the end of the year.

Mr David Randall, supply chain director of the company, said: "We believe an independent manufacturer will be better placed to utilise the facilities and attract other production volume and in addition to have the flexibility to produce other brands and packaging formats."

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He said that to assist a competent purchaser to establish a viable new business, Interbrew was "ready to offer a long term contract to brew and package in keg format, a range of beer brands for the Irish market places."

Utilisation of the bottling line would be dependent on the capability of any new owner to obtain volume bottling contracts.

Mr Randall added: "Any sale will be conditional on manufacturing remaining at the Ulster Brewery and it is our intention to conclude the sale process by September 2004."

The brewery was founded in 1897 and is the only major brewery in Northern Ireland.

It currently  brews and kegs Bass and Tennent's Lager, and kegs Stella Artois for the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland market.

The company employs 285 people in the brewery, but 205 would be unaffected if the brewing business is shut, Mr Randall said.

He also stressed the situation was in no way related to the performance of their beer brands or the volume of beer sold in Ireland.

"Tennent's Lager and Stella Artois are gaining market share and are well on their way to hitting their annual volume targets," he said.