Arran Brewery eyes Diageo's Kilmarnock bottling plant

A Scottish island brewery could move its bottling operation into the doomed Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire.

The firm behind the Arran Brewery - relaunched out of receivership in June last year - says it wants a new mainland facility "yesterday", and that it is considering both Kilmarnock and a site in Hartlepool.

The closure of Belhaven's bottling plant in Dunbar, where some of the Arran bottling took place, has forced owner Marketing Management Services International to seek cost-effective alternatives.

While cash flow problems were cited as the main reason for the former company's failure the cost of running bottling and transport to the mainland remain a serious cash drain.

The Kilmarnock site is reckoned a front runner for a new bottling base because of the large pool of skilled workers available from Diageo's Johnnie Walker facility.

But brewery boss Gerald Michaluk told The Publican​ the decision could depend on whether a business incentive grant is forthcoming from the council.

"We're close to deciding, and need to decide very quickly," he said, "because we're currently spending £60,000 a month.

"We wouldn't be providing a large number of jobs, but we certainly would need skilled engineers, of the sort immediately available in Kilmarnock."

A relaunched Diageo site could generate contract work from other regional brewers looking for a cost-effective bottling operation.

However unless East Ayrshire Council can deliver a convincing package within days the opportunity appears set to be lost.

"Kilmarnock is the most convenient option, but so far we've heard little from the council," said Mr Michaluk, "and we cannot afford to wait much longer."

He said Arran is on the expansion trail, and that the firm aims to develop its Red Squirrel cask brand in the on-trade besides building on its existing bottled sales.

But there are no plans to launch a new mainland brewery, and beer production will stay on Arran.