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.
News
Trashcans support the campaign!
Legendary Scottish band, the Trashcan Sinatras stop off on their world tour of the USA to model campaign T-shirts at a friends house in Boston. Good to hear the lads are spreading the word around America.
STARS SIGN UP TO KEEP STRIDING MAN IN KILMARNOCK
Musicians Lloyd Cole, Saw Doctors front man Leo Moran and Katie Sutherland (aka Pearl of Pearl and the Puppets) took time out at the recent Kilmarnock Edition Music Festival to lend support to the campaign to keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock.
The stars, also including the Ballachulish Hellhounds, were happy to sign the petition to keep [...]
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. [...]
ENTERPRISE MINISTER BACKS STRIDING MAN CAMPAIGN
When Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, visited Ayrshire last week, he took time out of his busy schedule to sign the public petition to Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock.
In Ayrshire to conduct a conversation on Tourism Destination Status, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “The Scottish Government is focused on saving jobs [...]
ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION JOINS SAVE JOHNNIE WALKER CAMPAIGN
A specially designed brochure setting out the story of Diageo’s proposals to cut 700 jobs in its bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the community’s reaction to this was launched at the Burns Monument Centre this week.
The brochure is being sent to every member of the Robert Burns World Federation around the world to gain more [...]
Johnnie Walker Strides on into Ayr Flower Show
As local and international support for the campaign to “Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock” continues to grow, East Ayrshire’s Leisure Services team have been busy creating their own home grown iconic “striding Man” logo in flowers as a display for this year’s municipal exhibit at Ayr Flower Show.
Featuring a range of plants including begonias, the [...]
SAVE JOHNNIE WALKER FLAG FLIES HIGH
A special ‘Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock’ flag now takes pride of
place on the flagpole at the front of East Ayrshire Council
Headquarters in Kilmarnock.
The flag was raised as part of the campaign to challenge Diageo’s
decision to close the Johnnie Walker plant at Hill Street, Kilmarnock
and the distribution centre in Hurlford with the loss of over [...]
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOW SUPPORT FOR JOHNNIE WALKER CAMPAIGN
East Ayrshire’s three Scottish Youth Parliament Members are urging local young people to show Diageo that they are campaigning to keep 700 Johnnie Walker jobs in Kilmarnock.
They are looking for a big turnout to sign petitions at the stand they will be manning at Kilmarnock Cross from 12 noon till 2 pm this Saturday, [...]
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 [...]
First Minister says Diageo willing to listen
from BBC News website:
Drinks giant Diageo will seriously consider alternative proposals to halt the loss of 900 whisky jobs in Scotland, the first minister has said.
The company plans to close the Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow.
But, following a meeting with its chief executive, Alex Salmond said [...]
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