Gordon Banks to meet with Carlsberg Tetley Management at Westminster

25 February 2008

Local MP Gordon Banks is set to meet with Carlsberg Tetley’s Strategic Planning Director, Andrew Caswell this week (Thursday) in order to discuss the closure of the Carlsberg distribution centre in Alloa.

Mr Banks has already spoken out at the disappointing news that the company have announced proposals to shut their Alloa depot, possibly as early as August 2008.

Mr Banks said –“When the news first broke I was surprised that Carlsberg had decided not to engage with the local authority and elected representatives and I was eager to set up a meeting between myself and the company to see how best we can move forward.”

“I will be seeking answers as to why Carlsberg have decided to take this action especially at a time when both nationally and locally, employment figures are on the rise and the UK economy is stable. I would have hoped that Carlsberg UK would have wanted to continue the long relationship of it, and it’s predecessors, with Clackmannanshire.”

“I will also be raising the issue of the ‘consultation’ period and I truly hope that this is a genuine consultation and not merely a discussion with a pre-determined outcome.”

Mr Banks, who has raised the issue with the Scotland Office has been discussing with local businesses about how the Alloa Depot can be kept within the local community–

Gordon continued – “I have met with a prominent local businessman who has already intimated to me that he has an interest in the site and also in ensuring that jobs are retained on site. Discussions are at a very early stage so it would be inappropriate for me to make my discussions public but I will certainly be gauging the interest of Mr Caswell to these possible proposals.