Franciscan Well Brewery to close
A brewery on Leeside is set to cease production next year, it was announced this week.
Those behind the Franciscan Well Brewery said the decision to stop production of the Franciscan Well brands in the New Year was not taken lightly.
A statement from Molson Coors Statement said: “We are providing our 15 impacted employees with every support. Over the past decade we have invested in the Franciscan Well Brewery and the brand portfolio, most recently refreshing the visual brand identity in November 2022, and releasing new product development with Well Hazy in early 2023 and the Docklands Series in 2024.
“Unfortunately, despite great work from the team, in the face of a challenging craft beer category and other economic pressures impacting our customers and consumers, it has not been possible to grow the brands to the level needed to sustain the brewery as part of our UK and Ireland production network. Our local distribution partner will be working with customers in the coming weeks.”
The brewery produces Chieftain IPA, Rebel Red, Well Hazy and Shandon Stout amongst others. The Franciscan Well Brewery is a separate entity to the Franciscan Well Bar on North Mall.
Molson Coors has now entered a consultation process with impacted employees and will work through this process “with integrity and respect for everyone affected,” said the statement adding “We will seek redeployment for all displaced employees wherever possible.”
The statement concluded: “We understand the special place the Franciscan Well brewery and brands have in the local community and remain open to conversations with interested parties about the future of the brewery and brands.”
The planned closure of the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork will be met with disappointment and concern by affected staff, said Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who represents Cork South-Central, said: “The announcement by Molson Coors that the brewery is to cease production in the new year is a sad day for Cork. However, my immediate thoughts are with the 15 affected workers and their families. In the event of staff not being redeployed within the company, those losing their jobs must receive adequate redundancy packages and be fully supported in securing alternative employment.”