The owners of Edinburgh's 150-year-old Caledonian Brewery have admitted they have failed to find a buyer for the building following the recent announcement that it would close due to 'financial difficulties'.
Heineken, who own the brewery on Slateford Road, have said that despite an extensive search, the brewery has been unable to find anyone to take it on as a going concern and so it will be marketed for open sale.
In a letter from the company to Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, Heineken said that a potential future use for the site could include student accommodation, a residential development or a hotel.
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They said: "We said we would keep you informed of developments on the closure of the Caledonian Brewery. Despite an extensive search for a buyer for the site as a going concern, and then after that as a closed brewery, we have been unable to find a buyer who may be able to operate the site as a brewery. We are therefore now in the process of marketing the 1.91-acre site for open sale.
"In terms of Edinburgh Council’s Local Development Plan, the site is located within the ‘urban area’. This means that the principle of alternative use including residential, employment, student accommodation, hotel and mixed-use development could all be supported. If you would like further detail about the sale, the agents in Edinburgh are Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).
"We know this is not the preferred next stage for this historic site, but we have unfortunately not had any fully viable offers to keep the site as a production facility."
Heineken also issued an update on the future of staff members who are currently situated at the brewery, saying that of the 30 colleagues, 73 per cent have "secured their future."
They said 11 have chosen to retire or semi retire, four or potentially five have been offered a job at the Belhaven Brewery which is taking on the Caledonian brands, one has accepted an alternative role within Heineken and seven, potentially eight, are still looking for alternative roles.
The historical brewery has been operating since 1869. It was taken over by Scottish & Newcastle in 2008 before becoming part of Heineken later that year when the Dutch brewer acquired S&N. Heineken currently has an agreement with Greene King which will see some brands currently produced at Caledonian Brewery moved to the Belhaven Brewery in Dunbar.
Commenting on the recent news, Miles Briggs said: "It is disappointing that Heineken were unable to secure a buyer to keep the Caledonian Brewery in operation.
"Heineken have done a good job in transitioning employees of the brewery into new roles, but they must continue to support the people who are still looking for alternative roles.
"It is important that we get input from the local community on the best use of this land and that the historic listed parts of the brewery are maintained."
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