Workers at an Arran creamery which has been put up for sale face an uncertain future.
First Milk has put the Torry linn Creamery on the market and warned that any potential buyer would require to make ‘significant investment’ in the plant, which first opened in 1946. The Kilmory factory is the home of the Isle of Arran extra mature cheddar which scooped the best cheddar title at the World Cheese Awards 2013.
The six employees had been summoned to a meeting in Campbeltown on Tuesday but were unable to attend after bad weather disrupted the Lochranza ferry service. They were instead told the shock news by phone, although First Milk bosses have now visited Arran. The Campbeltown Creamery is also up for sale.
First Milk CEO Shelagh Hancock said: ‘Following a strategic review, we have determined that our branded consumer-facing businesses in Campbeltown and on Arran are not a strategic fit for First Milk moving forward.
‘The review identified that there is undoubtedly a market for the premium Mull of Kintyre and Isle of Arran brands but capturing the opportunities would require significant investment for activity that is not core to our strategic direction. However, we are confident that with the right focus and investment under new ownership the businesses would prosper.