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21 Aug 2018
'We were not able to find a financially viable long-term solution for the creamery'
In another blow to the Scottish dairy industry and, despite a farmer-led crowdfunding scheme which raised nearly £100,000, the Campbeltown Creamery on the Mull of Kintyre is set to close.
Owners First Milk have reassured the 29 farmer suppliers that, as part of a national co-op, their milk will continued to be collected. However, it is consulting with the 14 creamery staff who jobs are at risk.
First Milk originally put the plant, which produces cheddar under the Mull of Kintyre brand, up for sale in April 2018 but could not find a third party buyer.
Local dairy producers, with support from the Scottish Government, then expressed their desire to takeover the creamery and formed a steering group.
Last month they set up a crowd-funding scheme. It reached its original target of £50,000 within 72 hours and then extended that goal by £80,000. By Friday November 1 nearly £95,000 had been pledged.
“It was the right thing to investigate all avenues to see if we could keep the creamery open in Kintyre,” said James Barbour, chairman of the Kintyre steering group.
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"Despite all of this we were not able to find a financially viable long-term solution for the creamery. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us through this period.”
Money raised in the campaign will be returned to those who pledge it.
First Milk chief executive Shelagh Hancock said: "We are disappointed that it has not been possible to conclude a sale of Campbeltown Creamery.
"We fully appreciate that this decision has significant consequences for colleagues at the creamery and the local community, but it is important that we act in the best interest of the wider business and our farmer members."
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