Job losses are never just numbers on a spreadsheet – they’re people, families, and livelihoods.
So, when a major employer in a smaller town faces closure, the impact ripples far beyond the factory gates.
This is why the recent news about the potential closure of the Strathmore Water plant in Forfar has sent ripples of concern throughout the community.
Touching on the news in my last column, AG Barr, the renowned soft drinks giant best known for the national treasure that is Irn-Bru, has announced plans to discontinue its bottled water brand, Strathmore, by January 2026.
This decision could lead to the closure of the Forfar manufacturing facility, putting 23 jobs at risk and immense pressure on the town.
There’s no mistaking the fact that local economies, workers and populations depend on businesses like this remaining strong and stable, but it seems like a period of doubt lies in store amid employee consultation.
According to news, the company has cited the brand’s struggle to compete in recent years as the primary reason for such a move.
But let’s not forget that Strathmore isn’t just another brand in the supermarket fridge. This is Scottish water, bottled in the heart of Angus, drawn from the Vale of Strathmore near the historic Glamis Castle. For years, it’s been served at major events, sports stadiums, and hospitality venues across the country. Scrapping it feels like a huge loss to Scotland’s food and drink scene.
That’s why this situation needs careful handling. A consultation is now underway, and local politicians are calling for action to protect jobs. But whether a positive resolution can be found remains to be seen.
Amid the storm, there’s growing pressure for Scottish ministers to intervene. Local politicians, including SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon and Tory MSP Tess White, have urged the government to step up and explore ways to keep the site open. And quite frankly, they have a point.
Forfar needs investment, not another factory closure. If Scotland wants to maintain a thriving food and drink industry, we should be backing our homegrown brands, not letting them disappear without a trace.
What makes this move even harder to stomach is that AG Barr isn’t exactly struggling. The company, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, recently posted a revenue increase of 5.1 per cent, bringing in over £420 million last year. Irn-Bru is still a top seller, and its other brands, like Rubicon and Boost, continue to perform well.
So why the sudden axe to Strathmore? AG Barr claims the bottled water sector is highly competitive, with “subdued consumer demand.”
But let’s be honest – bottled water is still a booming industry. The UK market has more than doubled in value over the past decade, being valued at £2.4 billion in 2023 as consumers show a growing preference for healthier alternatives to sugary drinks. So, if other brands can thrive, why not Strathmore?
I truly hope there is a positive resolution here, both for the brand and the Angus site. While it may not seem like it should be top of their priority list, protecting small sites like this and encouraging business confidence in our biggest brands surely can only benefit Scotland.
Nevertheless, there’s still time to change course. The consultation process means that alternative solutions could be found – whether that’s selling the brand to another operator, repurposing the factory, or even seeking government support to keep it afloat.
But if AG Barr does push ahead with the closure, it needs to do right by its workers. That means generous redundancy packages, proper support for those affected, and real efforts to help employees find new opportunities.
Forfar has fought back from tough times before. But if AG Barr truly values its Scottish roots, it should think twice before pulling the plug on one of its most iconic homegrown brands.
Of course, I do have sympathy with the board of AG Barr. Decisions like this come with many facets to weigh up, not least financial implications for their business long term.
One thing’s for sure – if they don’t handle this right, the backlash could be fizzier than a freshly cracked can of Irn-Bru.
Hunt for Champs to Make a Change
Every great business starts with a single idea. An idea could stem from anywhere, whether it’s an innovative new way of thinking, a fantastic new product or simply just an opportunity that provides something new to the Scottish public.
But, to me, it’s most rewarding to see a business idea grow from something rooted in wholesomeness, such as making a vital difference to the community you live and work in.
By steering your business to be a positive change for the people and communities of Scotland, your heart is certainly in the right place. Unfortunately, the world of business can be a challenging one unless you’ve got the know-how and the expertise to maintain and grow said business.
That’s why it’s incredible to see those with the resources and know-how taking the time and money to invest in such businesses, helping them (and by proxy, our communities) to flourish.
Following a successful pilot launch last year, The Hunter Foundation, founded by Scottish business maestro Sir Tom Hunter, has relaunched its ‘Scotland’s Changemakers’ initiative – a programme which aims to scout out and support the very best of Scottish businesses.
The campaign celebrates and nurtures those groups who wish to bring an entrepreneurial spin on helping to tackle some of the major social challenges that impact our country, such as homelessness, poverty, education, mental health and unemployment.
Successful applicants of the programme will receive support to help them scale their reach and impact, and make even more of a difference to the communities they care about.
It’s a fantastic initiative and hopefully some more fantastic social businesses and groups can go on to shine brighter, helping those in our communities who need the support the most.
It Makes Me Smile: City Saur to Love Dinos
This year marks the 850th anniversary of the city of Glasgow – a monumental milestone for a place buzzing with vibrant culture and rich history.
But thanks to a new travelling tourist event that is set to bring families far and wide to our city this summer, locals and tourists are about to take a step even further back in time.
One of just four stops across the UK, The Lost Kingdom will be heading to the city and bringing 50 animatronic dinosaurs with it, allowing families a prehistoric and educational day out.
New and exciting days out like this are always a fantastic way to boost tourism and local business, but let’s just hope these prehistoric guests don’t make Glasgow their Jurassic Park-n-ride!
It Makes Me Cry: Shop Worries Grow in West End
Shop owners across the West End of Glasgow have hit out over upcoming parking charge increases – with the majority fearing changes will unfortunately severely impact their business.
Members of the Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District (BID), which represents around 240 local businesses, are incredibly worried about the policy from the council, citing that customers will just go elsewhere to shop.
When local businesses are crying out for any support they can get, it’s decisions like this that could prove costly for independent businesses. After all, it’s these independently owned stores that bring personality to parts of the city like the West End.
