120 jobs face axe at closure-threatened Aberdeenshire butcher's
120 jobs are at risk in Aberdeenshire, as a popular butcher's faces closure.
Bosses at Donald Russell, which started up in Inverurie over 50 years ago, are proposing to shutdown operations.
The company specialises in premium meat products, serving restaurants and other business customers as well as direct-to-consumer clients through its online platform.
Interim CEO Matthew Flood said: "Needless to say, this is not the outcome anyone wanted, and I recognise how unsettling this news is for our colleagues and their families.
"Donald Russell has been a respected Aberdeenshire business for more than 50 years, but the company has faced mounting challenges in recent years. Unprecedented volatility in meat prices, unpredictable energy costs and the rising costs of doing business have created a perfect storm that has left the business unable to continue trading in its current form.” Cold storage centre shut last year
Cold storage centre shut last year
Donald Russell closed its cold storage distribution centre in Kintore in August last year, resulting in approximately 70 people leaving the business.
The company is entering a 45-day consultation process with colleagues, during which it will explore all alternatives.
"We remain open to any viable alternative, including actively marketing the business for sale," Mr Flood added. "However, we are also planning realistically for closure, and our absolute priority is to support our colleagues through this difficult period with transparency, dignity and all the assistance we can provide."
Deeply concerning
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross said: “This announcement will be deeply concerning for our meat industry, both in the North East, and across Scotland.
“The closure of Donald Russell would be devastating for the business, their staff, the supply chains and farmers who have all relied on the business for more than 50 years.
“This is the latest blow within the sector to hit Inverurie following the closure of Scotbeef last year and underlines the intolerable pressures that our food and agricultural industry is facing.
“The likes of Donald Russell are being driven out of business by rising costs, regulatory pressures, volatility in meat prices and barriers to domestic farming that are all contributing to the loss of a key pillar of our food security.
“There is also an immediate human impact of all this, and my thoughts go out to the employees at Inverurie whose jobs are at risk".