The overall site on which the main buildings are located amounts to an area circa 12.3 acres, on the Rathfriland Road, adjacent to the A1 dual carriageway.

The agricultural site to the south-east is approximately 4.2 acres giving a total site area in the region of 16.5 acres.

Commercial agent, Lisney has listed the creamery site for sale on its website for £9.5 million.

In November 2023 Lakeland Dairies announced the closure of the Banbridge creamery, with the butter churning and packing and powder storage site set to close in June this year and several jobs expected to be impacted.

In a statement at the time, a spokesperson said that redundancies would be “necessary”.

“Between now and quarter one of 2025, significant change will be implemented across the Lakeland Dairies business to ensure the co-operative is well placed to meet future market requirements with a realigned processing footprint to match milk supply profiles,” said the spokesperson.

The buildings on the site at Banbridge are predominantly made up of quality warehouse accommodation with eaves ranging from 6-9 metres and loading bays or electric roller shutter doors throughout, according to the Lisney website, and they can be immediately utilised by a range of end users with little to no reconfiguration or capital expenditure.

The additional 4.2 acre agricultural site to the south-east can be accessed from the main site via a tunnel under the A1 dual carriageway. The agent says there may be scope for residential development or additional warehousing, subject to necessary planning consents.

Under the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015, the main dairy site at 30 Rathfriland Road is denoted as an “Existing Area of Economic Development” and is located with the settlement development limit of Banbridge. The agricultural site on the opposite side of the A1 dual carriageway is denoted as “Local Landscape Policy Area” and is outside the settlement development limit of Banbridge, however is immediately adjacent to the boundary.

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Members of Unite the union working at LE Pritchitt & Co Ltd began a week of strike action on Wednesday 21^st February.

The wholly-owned subsidiary of Lakeland Dairies, LE Pritchitt & Co Ltd process long-life milk products such as UHT milk and the strike action has brought production at the factory to a standstill.

The Newtownards plant is the main producer of premium formulated milk products for the wider Lakeland Dairies group, which is one of Ireland’s largest and most successful dairy processing co-ops.

Union members rejected an 8.2% pay offer, seeking 9%, and negotiations ended without agreement after managers failed to provide an increase which maintained a £1 an hour pay differential with the minimum wage for fully trained production operators.

‘DETERMINED’

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said it was “completely unacceptable” that the forthcoming minimum wage increase would surpass all existing pay grades.

“Lakeland Dairies is a hugely successful business which has recorded record profits,” said Sharon Graham.

“That success is built on the commitment and skills of their production workers. The workforce has the full support of Unite in their fight for a cost-of-living pay increase that reflects their skills and responsibilities.”

Unite regional officer, Albert Hewitt added: “Our members are determined that the training and responsibility that is required to operate multi-million pound equipment is properly reflected in their pay.

“Strike action by Unite’s members will bring production at Newtownards to a standstill. The cost of any disruption will far outweigh the costs of meeting our members’ pay claim. It is in the interests of the members of this co-op to intervene to demand a resolution to this dispute.”

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The butter churning and packing and powder storage site will close in June 2024, with several jobs expected to be impacted.

In a statement, a spokesperson said that redundancies would be “necessary”.

“Between now and quarter one of 2025, significant change will be implemented across the Lakeland Dairies business to ensure the co-operative is well placed to meet future market requirements with a realigned processing footprint to match milk supply profiles,” said a spokesperson.

“This is the first step in a new strategy which will continue to be implemented across the Society in the coming months.”

Over the course of this year, the cross-border dairy processing co-operative has assessed how best to create further processing efficiencies in the long-term interests and sustainability of its 3200 farm families who produce 2bn litres of milk annually.

They said that after “detailed and careful consideration” the Board had settled on a plan where liquid milk production will move from Lakeland Dairies Monaghan to Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra, while all other bulk milk handling activities will transfer to other Lakeland Dairies sites.

‘DIFFICULT DECISION’

This will result in the closure of the Monaghan site in Q1 2025, with a process to sell the site expected to follow.

Milk drying facilities at Lough Egish, Co. Monaghan will also close in June 2024.

“Regrettably, redundancies will be necessary to realise this strategy as operations will be ceased on the three sites,” said the spokesperson.

“Exact details and numbers will be confirmed in due course but it is anticipated that 78 jobs will be impacted by the announcement. There will also be redeployment opportunities for some staff into vacant positions in the business.”

They added that the company has begun engaging and consulting with staff and their unions.

Lakeland Dairies’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Colin Kelly said: “As a business, we continually assess how we can take long-term strategic decisions that will benefit the Society for this and subsequent generations.

“We do appreciate that this announcement creates uncertainty for our colleagues and their families. We will work closely with them and support them throughout this process in which they will continue to be treated fairly and with respect.

“While this is a difficult decision, it is a crucial one to ensure that Lakeland Dairies is future-proofed and well-positioned to meet the challenges as well as the opportunities of the future.”

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