AG Barr is to close Fentimans’ office in Hexham, Northumberland, resulting in 29 redundancies.
The Irn-Bru maker said the “difficult decision” had been taken as it sought to integrate the Fentimans brand, having bought the adult soft drinks business for £38m earlier this year.
A total of seven Fentimans employees had been retained and would continue to work for AG Barr, it added.
“Following a thorough consultation process, we have taken the difficult decision to close our Hexham office, with a phased wind-down taking place over the summer,” an AG Barr spokesperson said. “This was not a decision taken lightly, but one that will ensure the long-term integration and continued growth and success of the Fentimans brand within the AG Barr Group.”
Staff welfare had been a priority throughout the process, the spokesperson insisted.
“We have conducted individual consultations with every team member and provided comprehensive support, including identifying internal opportunities across the wider business, providing dedicated outplacement services, and offering enhanced redundancy packages,” they said.
“We are pleased to see that many affected colleagues have already secured new roles,” they added.
Explaining its rationale for acquiring Fentimans in February, AG Barr said the “attractive” adult soft drinks market was benefiting from consumer trends towards lower alcohol consumption.
“These acquisitions reflect the execution of further meaningful and targeted M&A to elevate growth through broadening the brand portfolio while providing opportunities for cost synergies,” the company added.
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