Mulholland calls for boycott of Carlsberg in Leeds
Liberal Democrat pub campaigner Greg Mulholland, MP, has called on pub goers in Leeds to boycott Carlsberg products in opposition to the closure of the Leeds brewery.
The MP for Leeds North West has tabled a Parliamentary motion condemning the closure of the brewery which was set for June 17 and has called it a "betrayal" of Leeds.
The current brewery has been home to Tetley's Cask Ales for 189 years, but in 2008 the Carlsberg Group announced its decision to close the historic brewery site, relocating the majority of the brewery's work to its sister plant in Northampton.
Mulholland has consistently opposed the proposals, forming the 'Boycott Carlsberg' campaign.
Mulholland said: "Tetley's is an iconic Leeds brand which has been brewed in Leeds for almost two centuries.
"The decision by the Carlsberg Group to close Tetley's is a disgrace and that is why I am calling on the people of Leeds to Boycott Carlsberg and also for pubs, bars and clubs in Leeds to express their anger by delisting Carlsberg
"The closure of the Tetley's Brewery, which has now been announced for the 17th June, is a betrayal to Leeds and to Tetley's.
"In light of this, I would call on the people of Leeds to support local independent breweries, of which there are a number who are now the future of brewing in the city of Leeds."
Leeds CAMRA chairman, John Rowe said: "The taste that they replicate at the brewery down in Northampton will not be the same as the Tetley's that has been brewed up in Leeds for the past 189 years.
"Carlsberg should learn from the errors of a number of breweries such as Boddingtons, who suffered a demise following a move from their original home.
"It is so important we get across to Tetley's drinkers that once the brewery moves on from Leeds, it will not be the Tetley's that they have known and loved. This may be the final nail in the coffin for the brand"
A Carlsberg spokesman said: "We fully understand the upset and frustration evident in Mr Mulholland's Early Day Motion. He is an MP that cares a great deal about the Leeds community and this is a difficult time for the whole city.
"The closure of the brewery is not a decision that was taken lightly. We unfortunately live at a time when the beer market is facing the perfect storm of falling consumption, increasing costs and rising tax.
"As a result there is widespread consolidation in the industry. Our main concern over the last two and a half years has been our employees — to ensure they find new roles within Carlsberg UK or jobs outside the business."
The Parliamentary Motion
Mulholland has tabled an Early Day Motion - which is formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons. EDMs are used for reasons such as publicising the views of individual MPs, drawing attention to specific events or campaigns, and demonstrating the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view.
The EDM said: "That this House condemns the closure of the Tetley's Brewery which will take place on 17 June 2011, a decision taken by Carlsberg UK which will end the brewery's 189 year history and longstanding affiliation with Leeds by signalling the end of Tetley's as a Leeds beer; believes that this decision is a betrayal of Leeds and the Tetley's brand and shows that Carlsberg UK is not committed either to Tetley's nor to Leeds; expresses sympathy for those who are losing their jobs as a result of this decision; calls on all the people of Leeds and all beer lovers to express their anger at the decision by boycotting Carlsberg; further calls on Leeds pubs, bars and clubs to show their support for Leeds by delisting Carlsberg; further believes thatTetley's is ended as a famous Leeds brand; instead celebrates the excellent independent breweries in the Leeds areas; and further believes that these breweries including the Leeds Brewery, the WharfeBank Brewery, Ridgeside, Kirkstall Brewery Company, Burley Street Brewery, Rodham's and Briscoe's are the future of Leeds brewing."
