After 226 years, it seems Manchester's most famous brewery may have come to a bitter end. Workers at Boddingtons brewery in the city have voted to strike in protest at parent company InBev's decision to close the historic Strangeways brewery, with the loss of 55 jobs.
The Transport and General Workers' Union's regional industrial organiser, Franny Joyce, confirmed yesterday that a two-day walkout would be held next month followed by an overtime ban.
The closure, scheduled for next February, would see brewing of the brand's non-cask ales moved to south Wales, Preston and Glasgow, while cask Boddingtons would transfer to the Hydes brewery in Moss Side. At present, Boddingtons is brewed in Manchester then transported to south Wales for packaging.
InBev, formerly known as Interbrew, is the parent company of some 200 brands including Beck's, Stella Artois and Bass. Brewery closures have been just one of the recent cost-cutting measures introduced by John Brock, InBev's chairman, looking to make £138m savings.
In addition to the scheduled Boddingtons closure, time has been called at breweries in Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands.
Those fighting next February's closure are preparing for another campaign recruiting the likes of Bruce Jones, who plays the Les Battersby in Coronation Street.
