Former employee of Scottish and Newcastle plc and North East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan has issued an open letter to company chairman Sir Brian Stewart urging him to reconsider any plans to close the Tyne Brewery in Newcastle.
Prior to his election to the European Parliament in 1999 Martin worked for Scottish and Newcastle for 11 years as an engineer. Since leaving the company he has maintained a keen interest in its progress and remains a shareholder.
Speaking from Brussels today Martin said:
'Newcastle Breweries has contributed greatly to life in the North East through its charitable foundations and numerous community initiatives and has created a strong bond of loyalty with the people of the North East. I hope that this loyalty will be repaid and any plans that may threaten the plant's future will be reconsidered.'
The letter to Sir Brian Stewart is copied in full below:
Sir Brian Stewart
Chairman
Scottish & Newcastle plc
33 Ellersly Road
Edinburgh
EH12 6HX
UK
24 February 2004
Dear Sir Brian,
I am writing to you regarding the current uncertainty hanging over Tyne Brewery in Newcastle.
As you may know, before being elected as MEP for the North East in 1999, I was employed by Scottish and Newcastle for some 11 years. I am still a shareholder as a result of your various Employee Share Ownership Schemes.
One of the strengths of Scottish and Newcastle was its commitment to the local communities in which it operates. For many years, Newcastle Breweries has contributed greatly to life in the North East through its charitable foundations and numerous community initiatives. In return, Scottish and Newcastle has received the loyalty of many past and present employees in the North East.
I hope that you will repay that loyalty by reconsidering any plans the company may have, that threaten the future of Tyne Brewery in Newcastle.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Callanan MEP
Conservative, North East Region
