Torrylinn Creamery closure is ‘a tragedy’
It is the end of an era as production ceased at Torrylinn Creamery on Wednesday after 73 years.
The head cheese-maker at creamery, which will shut its doors at the end of this month, has described the closure as a tragedy that will have implications for dairy farmers, the five staff – four whom will now leave the island – and for Arran as a whole.
The death knell for the creamery came in April last year when owner First Milk announced that the business, and another creamery in Campbeltown, were ‘not core to its business strategy for the future’.
Both businesses were put up for sale and, while a co-operative of farmers is in the process of purchasing the Campbeltown concern, a buyer for Torrylinn could not be found, as reported in the Banner last week.
The news has been a hammer blow for staff – some of whom have been with the company for 17 years – who were informed earlier this month that consultations with employees would commence immediately and which would result in the doors of Torrylinn closing permanently on Wednesday July 31.
The mood at the creamery on Wednesday was sombre with the final day of production taking place and the last batch of Torrylinn cheese being produced by staff.
Head cheese-maker Allan Nicol said: ‘It is a tragedy. When once there were over 60 dairy farmers on Arran, there are now two, both of whom will feel the impact of the closure. The five staff will also be severely impacted by this, as four of them are having to leave Arran to seek employment, giving up their houses and their contribution to the local economy. It is also a sad loss for Arran and for the tourists who used to come and watch the cheese being made, many of whom also
purchased cheese in the creamery shop.
‘It is a sad day for everyone and it has affected me more than I thought it would. As matters stand, I believe that someone will come in at the end of the month, switch off the electricity supply, lock the doors and the site will be placed on the market.’
Allan, who has been producing cheese at the creamery for 17 years, will remain on Arran and ‘make himself useful’ on his father’s farm while undertaking whatever freelance farm work he is offered.
Over the years Allan has been at the helm of the cheese production which has seen the company earn numerous awards, most notably a World Cheese Award for its white extra mature cheddar and most recently a Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Award for their vintage cheddar which was nominated as the dairy product of the year.
The creamery, which first opened in 1946 and was later owned by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board before being taken over by First Milk in 2007, still makes its award-winning cheese by hand in open vats using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations.
First Milk chief executive Shelagh Hancock said last week: ‘We are deeply disappointed that it has not been possible to conclude a sale of Arran Creamery. We fully appreciate that these developments have significant consequences for colleagues at the creameries and the local community, but it is important that we act in the best interest of the wider business and our farmer members and continue with the solid progress we have made in strengthening and developing First Milk.
Regret
‘We regret the impact this decision will have on our colleagues and are committed to treating those affected fairly and with consideration during this difficult time.’
Kenneth Gibson MSP, who raised the issue of the Torrylinn closure at First Minister’s Questions in April last year, said: ‘It is deeply regrettable that no sustainable future for Arran Creamery has been found, despite the best efforts of First Milk, the Scottish Government, Dairy Growth Board, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International, Confederation of British Industry and Scottish Enterprise.
‘Other dairy companies such as Graham’s, The Family Dairy and Lactalis were also engaged. The Scottish Government was ready and willing to assist financially with potential bids. However, none emerged.
‘The priority now is to support the creamery’s employees and Arran’s dairy farmers, whom rural secretary Fergus Ewing MSP met during his visit to Arran last month.’