Fears For 50 Jobs As Creamery Is Sold

Fears For 50 Jobs As Creamery Is Sold

Fifty jobs could be lost in Co Tyrone after Fivemiletown Creamery was sold to a firm in the Republic of Ireland.

Shareholders voted to sell the milk supply and cheese brands to Glanbia Ingredients Ireland due to a period of losses over the past two years.

According to the BBC, the board of directors said they regretted the likely closure of the plant and the resulting loss of jobs.

Fivemiletown began operations in 1898 and the deal has effectively put an end to processing in Clogher Valley.

While Fivemiletown’s Ballyblue and Ballybrie cheese brands were popular, they only took a small proportion of the milk.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has expressed concern at potential job losses.

Arlene Foster said: “This is an extremely worrying time for the staff at Fivemiletown Creamery and it would be hugely regrettable if the plant had to close. For over 100 years the Fivemiletown Creamery has been a valued employer in the Clogher Valley area.

“While there is good news for local farmers in that Glanbia has agreed to continue to buy the existing milk supply it would also be a great shame if the Fivemiletown cheese brands were lost to Northern Ireland, as they have a strong international reputation.”

She added: “Invest Northern Ireland has maintained regular contact with Fivemiletown Creamery over the past two years following the trading difficulties which arose from the loss of a major contract and has continued to offer support to the management team.

“Together with Invest Northern Ireland, I am now seeking an urgent meeting with Glanbia to discuss securing the best possible outcome for Northern Ireland.”

Staff, who had fought the closure, will now enter a consultation process.