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AG Barr has announced that it plans to discontinue its bottled water brand Strathmore by January 2026.

The beverage group said it is making the move in a bid to boost profits and simplify the company’s structure. The potential closure of the site is subject to employee consultation.

A spokesperson from AG Barr said: “We have announced a proposal with our Strathmore Water colleagues in Forfar, Scotland, which could see the closure of the site and 23 roles becoming redundant. The Strathmore brand has struggled to compete in recent years, and we believe we have now reached a point where the Forfar site is no longer sustainable.”

The decision to discontinue the Strathmore brand and propose closing the Forfar plant comes after Barr announced redundancies last year, following the closure of its direct sales operation and the integration of the Boost energy drinks business. Last year also saw the closure of its sites in Moston, Wednesbury and Dagenham in England under the Barr Direct model.

Speaking about the potential closure, the spokesperson said: “The proposals are subject to consultation, and we intend to fully support our employees through this period of change”.

Top image: © AG Barr