Scottish soft drinks giant AG Barr has announced plans to pull the plug on its Strathmore bottled water brand.
The company said that the brand has struggled to stay afloat in an increasingly competitive market, leading to a proposal that could see its production site in Forfar close its doors, potentially putting 24 jobs at risk.
In a statement, AG Barr said: “We have announced a proposal with our Strathmore water colleagues in Forfar which could see the closure of the site and 24 roles becoming redundant. The Strathmore brand has struggled to compete in recent years, and we believe we have now reached a point where the Forfar site is no longer sustainable.”
The company emphasised that the proposals are subject to consultation, and it intends to provide full support to affected employees.
The announcement follows the closure of three other sites in England last year as the company integrated its Boost energy drink brand more closely with its core soft drink business.
The news sits in contrast to the Cumbernauld-based company’s current strong financial position. Latest figures show a 15.8% surge in adjusted pre-tax profit, reaching £58.5m for the year ending 25 January 2025. This was put down to a 4.6% increase in soft drinks volume, with strong performances from flagship brands Irn-Bru and Rubicon driving revenues up to £420.4m, a notable increase from £400m in the previous year.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon voiced concerns about the proposed closure, saying it was “difficult to understand” given Barr’s “strong financial performance”.
She said: “This news is incredibly disappointing for Forfar and the wider Angus area.
“I have already taken action and written to AG Barr, Angus Council, and the Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur MSP, to understand the full implications of this announcement and to ensure that all available support is offered to the affected workforce.”
Gougeon said she would be working closely with Angus Council and other stakeholders to see what options may be available for the site going forward.
