First Milk to close Campbeltown Creamery in Scotland

UK-based cheese and milk supplier First Milk has initiated employee consultation on its proposed closure of Campbeltown Creamery in Scotland.

The company’s move to shut down the facility, which produces premium Scottish cheddar, will put 14 jobs at risk.

First Milk chief executive Shelagh Hancock said: “We are disappointed that it has not been possible to conclude a sale of Campbeltown Creamery.

“We fully appreciate that this decision has significant consequences for colleagues at the Creamery and the local community, but it is important that we act in the best interest of the wider business and our farmer members and continue with the solid progress we have made in strengthening and developing First Milk.

“We regret the impact this decision will have on our colleagues and are committed to treating those affected fairly and with consideration during this difficult time.”

The creamery was put up for sale in April last year by First Milk as it announced that the continuation of the facility was not viable as per its business strategy.

First Milk noted that over the past 18 months, it was not possible to conclude divestiture of the Campbeltown Creamery despite significant efforts.

Hancock added: “Throughout the last 18 months we have been in regular dialogue with our local members on Kintyre about the future of the site.

“Nothing will change in respect to their co-operative membership of First Milk, and we will continue to collect and pay for their milk on the same basis as before going forward.”

However, local Kintyre farmers launched a bid to take over the creamery after it became clear that divestiture to a third party was unlikely, but the bid to save the creamery by the local farmers failed.

The National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) Dairy chairman and local Kintyre dairy farmer John Smith said: “My heart goes out to all the staff that work at the creamery and it is regrettable that the Mull of Kintyre brand that we have passionately supported will now no longer be available.

“That is due to the harsh, economic reality of processing milk in an incredibly tough dairy industry that has witnessed so many casualties at both farm and processing level in recent times.

“Whilst this is very disappointing news, it is reassuring that all of the local farmers are members of First Milk and will continue to benefit from being part of a national co-operative with an evergreen contract and continuing to have their milk collected in the future.”