We do recognise that a decision has been taken, but we believe that the decision taken is a wrong one. Our supporters obviously agree, as our campaign has demonstrated, with more than 100,000 people signing our petition, support flooding in from around the globe, 15,000 people have written personally to Paul Walsh and almost half a million people have written to Diageo shareholders.
Johnnie Walker is synonymous with Kilmarnock and the brand has been associated with the town since 1820. It is recognised in every corner of the world as the leading brand name for Scotch whisky, and generations of local families have shown tremendous commitment and loyalty to the company over the past two hundred years. Now they will witness the very heart and soul being ripped out of their community.
Today we find ourselves in a position where we must move forward and try to secure the best possible outcome for Johnnie Walker employees and the town of Kilmarnock.
The Cabinet Secretary has convened a meeting of the Task Force on Monday and we will present a package of proposals designed to support the growth of new jobs in Kilmarnock. We want to secure Scottish Government support for the town and our attention will now turn to developing an action plan which will seek to create 700 sustainable jobs for Kilmarnock.
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: “I welcome the continued commitment from Cabinet Secretary John Swinney, and as he himself stated, he will work unstintingly with partners to mitigate the serious impacts and assist the people and communities affected by Diageo’s decision-making.”
Councillor Maureen McKay, Leader of Main Labour Opposition said: “It is hard to describe the true extent of our feelings today. However, we remain resolute as we turn our attention to securing a positive future for the town, by applying the same energy, enthusiasm and strength as witnessed throughout the campaign.”
Councillor Tom Cook, Leader of Conservative Opposition said: “We are truly disappointed at today’s outcome, which will undoubtedly have a devastating effect of the town and the wider local community. We must now look towards the future as we prepare to work with the Scottish Government on plans to help secure 700 sustainable jobs for the town.”
We are proud of what this campaign has achieved. The facts speak for themselves.
Throughout the 71 days of this campaign we gained the support of the entire local community; local businesses, residents, workers, trades union representatives, Kilmarnock Football Club and politicians from all parties have united to keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock. People have given their all in support of this campaign and we could have asked for nothing more.
In the Media
Breaking news. Diageo REJECT revised business case.
Breaking News -Diageo reject the revised business plan.
From the BBC:
A business case was submitted to the firm last week for keeping its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow.
But Diageo said the proposals did not “provide a sound basis” to “build and develop a sustainable business”.
More from the BBC webiste.
SEE [...]
Diageo under Paul Walsh questioned over UK tax avoidance
From The Sunday Times on August 30th:
Diageo, the drinks giant whose plans to axe 900 jobs at its Kilmarnock plant and Port Dundas whisky distillery have provoked widespread condemnation, has been branded socially irresponsible by a leading business thinker.
William Hopper, author of The Puritan Gift: Reclaiming the American Dream Amidst Global Financial Chaos, said: [...]
East Ayrshire Council to present alternative plan
from the BBC website:
A business plan to save the Diageo plant in Kilmarnock from closure is to be handed to the Scottish Government by East Ayrshire Council.The council’s case will be presented to Finance Secretary John Swinney. It is the latest stage of a multi-agency cross-party campaign to save the town’s bottling plant and [...]
“Brydo” says jobs could go overseas!
In an interview in Scotland on Sunday, Bryan Donaghey, managing director of Diageo in Scotland, admits that whisky bottling jobs could go overseas!
“The simple answer is yes, this bottling could move overseas. We produce Smirnoff all over the world so the argument is we can just disgorge it in different places.”
Full story:
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/business/Diageo–warns-of-further.5579572.jp
Johnnie Walker “Walk” video with Robert Carlyle
This is the one all the recent fuss was about – see Sunday Mail article from 16th August. Since then, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the advertising company who made the promotional video for Diageo, have insisted that it be removed from Youtube, so you can no longer see how it links Johnnie Walker with Kilmarnock. [...]
Sunday Mail report on JW Promotional video
From the Sunday Mail, 16th August:
Trainspotting star plugs Johnnie Walker as they move to axe jobs -
(Aug 16 2009 Norman Silvester)
ANGRY campaigners are urging Scots film star Robert Carlyle to join the fight to save 700 Johnnie Walker jobs in Kilmarnock … after he starred in a £300,000 advert for the whisky.
Drinks giants Diageo have [...]
From Daily Record, 5th August, 2009
The last surviving relative of Johnnie Walker is interviewed by the Record and pleads with Diageo to show loyalty to the workers. She says her great grandfather would be turning in his grave.
Full Story
FAMOUS AUTHOR BACKS KEEP JOHNNIE WALKER IN KILMARNOCK CAMPAIGN
Famous Scottish author William McIlvanney added his support to the swelling campaign to Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock, when he visited recently to make a film for BBC’s The One Show.
Willie, who was born in Kilmarnock in 1936 and now lives in Glasgow, spent the day with the BBC film crew. They visited various locations [...]
BBC website report on the big march
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8168982.stm
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