Around 200 jobs could be affected after Molson Coors announced plans to close several of its UK sites.
The brewer, known for brands including Carling, Coors, and Madri, has revealed it will shut its UK call centre in Cardiff and Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall by the end of the year. The closures could put around 200 roles at risk.
Molson Coors said the decision to close the Cardiff call centre followed a shift in customer behaviour, with almost 90% of orders from pubs and bars now being placed online. Customer service will instead be handled digitally and from the company’s UK and Ireland headquarters in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.
The proposals, announced on Wednesday, are part of the company’s wider strategy to “unlock efficiencies and cost savings”. The brewer added that the Cornwall brewery closure comes “only after exploring every alternative option to make the site financially sustainable”.
The planned changes are currently subject to consultation. WalesOnline has approached Molson Coors for confirmation of the exact number of roles affected by the Cardiff call centre closure.
Simon Kerry, UK and Ireland managing director at Molson Coors, said: “The proposed closure of Sharp’s Brewery has not been an easy decision. It has been a significant part of our UK business for 15 years, with an exceptional and committed team who take huge pride in their craft.
“We have invested substantially in both the site and the Sharp’s brands over that time and have taken every possible step to avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network.”
Mr Kerry added: “As our customers’ purchasing habits have become increasingly digital, we have evolved our business as part of our digitisation journey. The proposed closure of our national contact centre is no reflection on the brilliant work of our teams, but a response to these changes.
“This is clearly a very difficult time for our colleagues, and we will be doing everything we can to support our teams throughout this process.”
