Research flaws

Copy of a letter to Dr Ian Duncan, Conservative MEP for Scotland Sir, I read the article in the Arran Banner about the challenges facing island businesses and was more than happy that Gerald Michaluk is bringing this issue to the forefront of the European Parliament’s mind.

However, your research team did not do a very good job and I am less than happy that they reported ‘Mr Michaluk, who founded the Arran Brewery, said ...’

To put the record straight , he may have founded Arran Brew Ltd, in June 2008, but he did not found the brewery from its commencement in Jan 2000.

That was done by Richard and Elisabeth Roberts, together with a number of shareholders.

Not only that, but together with a loyal team of Arran-based workers, managed to achieve a great deal in those eight years.

In fact, it could be argued that it became a victim of its own success.

Had it not been for the recession and for the Royal Bank of Scotland pulling the plug on the company’s finance arrangements, The Arran Brewery Company Ltd (in administration) may still be thriving today.

The actual facts are that he (Mr Michaluk) bought the company out of administration and I also have it on the best authority that he bought it at a ‘bargain basement’ price.

Now that the record is straight, I bear no rancour with Mr Michaluk, and will always continue to support the beers he makes as being some of the best around, but make no mistake, the original recipe for their best seller - Arran Blonde - was the recipe that Richard Roberts devised.

Yours,