FUTURE UNCLEAR FOR BASS BREWERY PLANT

THE UK Office of Fair Trading has outlined four ways forward for the Belgian beer company Interbrew if it wants to hang onto Bass Brewers who own a brewery in West Belfast.

In a consultation document, entitled “Proposed Remedies To Interbrew/Bass Brewers Merger” all four proposals by the fair trading watchdog involve the sale of parts of Interbrew’s UK business.

The publication of the consultation document indicates worrying times ahead for the Bass brewery plant in West Belfast which currently employs 400 people. Although the giant Belgian company is decidedly loathe to sell Bass Ireland which has its headquarters in west Belfast and its sister operation Tennent’s Caledonian Brewery in Glasgow.

The four options outlined are: Interbrew sells Bass Brewers; Interbrew sells the Whitbread brewing business and the licence rights to Stella Artois; Interbrew sells the Scottish and Northern Ireland assets of Bass, but is able to retain Carling, Bass Ale and some other minor brands; Interbrew retains Bass in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as Tennent’s and Bass Ale brands and sell its remaining brands, including Carling.

The UK government and the Competition Commission blocked the combination of Interbrew and Bass Brewers - on the grounds that its 32 per cent market share was anti-competitive - it seems likely that the Belgian giant will have to accept one of these remedies.

The Office of Fair Trading wants comments from third parties by July 18. After that date, it will publish its advice to trade and industry minister Patricia Hewitt will make the final decision.

Interbrew owns both Bass, which brews Carling and Whitbread, which brews Stella in the UK.

(AMcE)