Bosses at Arran Brewery this week vowed they will not be beaten by vandals after another wrecking spree at their Dreghorn site.
Yobs smashed their way into buildings and vehicles, causing considerable damage in the latest in a long line of attacks on the premises.
But defiant managing director Gerald Michaluk, who was on site during one of the incidents, insisted that “a few bad apples” will not derail his firm’s ambition of establishing a specialist brewery on the grounds of the former Dreghorn Primary School.
He said: “I had hoped we had seen the end of this type of activity and the site was now safe.
“However, the brewery and bottling hall as well as several containers, a shed and a van were broken into and windows in the main building smashed.
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“Five cases of beer and some odds and ends were stolen that were being used to test the shrink rap equipment but mainly it was just senseless vandalism.
“They broke in on two occasions and even tried to break in when I was on site.
“I scared them off before the police could arrive.
“However had I got my hands on him I would have been the one answering police questions.”
The vandals struck between March 27 and 28 and at 4.30pm on April 1. Police are looking to trace a man described 17 to 22 year-old, five foot 11 inches in height, of slim build, with long dark brown hair and wearing a full grey tracksuit in connection with the most recent incident.
Arran Brewery has had considerable trouble with vandalism and break-ins. In March 2018, goods were stolen from vans.
Gerald said: “We remain committed to establishing our specialist brewery and refuse to be intimidated by a few bad apples.”
The brewery is working with Ayr College to establish brewery apprenticeships as well as a helping the college offer a range of brewing-related courses.
Gerald said: “Recent advertisements for staff at Dreghorn attracted over 90 applicants of a very high quality so it is crazy that a few bad eggs are jeopardising employment opportunities in the area.
We continue to receive excellent support from the Council and the Police and I hope we can get things back on track to commission the brewery this year”
Any iinformation can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101 and quoting incident reference 2656 of 1st April. Information can also be passed via the independent charity CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
