
Jobs at Strathmore bottled water saved after takeover
The takeover by Ty Nant has saved all 23 jobs at the company, as they promised to invest in the Forfar factory's long-term future.
The firm was bought by Irn Bru maker AG Barr in 2006, but earlier this year it was announced it was axing Strathmore Water as the brand was 'no longer sustainable'.
The news came after the Cumbernauld-based drinks group – whose brands also include Rubicon, Boost and Funkin – reported a 15.8% increase in adjusted profit before tax to £58.5m.
Councillor Linda Clark, Angus Council, responding to the takeover, said: 'I think it's wonderful news.
'It's so good that someone has come along with confidence now because that's a good brand, a local brand, a special product.
'That's 23 souls saved. I want to see people here, there are a lot of people who start here as a young loon or a quine and they get their training and also sorts of things.
'I've never heard a bad word so this is really good news.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Lloyds Bank sends alert to customers after something 'not seen for 10 years'
Lloyds Bank has issued a message to business customers in an alert saying UK business confidence has climbed one point to 52%, its highest level since 2015, with thousands affected Lloyds Bank has issued a "cautious" alert, impacting thousands of customers. The high street bank 's latest report for business customers reveals that UK business confidence has risen by one point to 52%, the highest level since 2015. Business confidence is up one point to 52% with hiring intentions on the rise for the third consecutive month. Despite persistent price pressures, the services sector experienced the most significant boost in confidence, increasing by 11 points, according to Lloyds. Welsh firms remain the most optimistic for the second month running. Hann-Ju Ho, a senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: "This continued upward trend reflects a growing sense of cautious optimism across the UK economy, underpinned by both improved trading prospects and broader economic sentiment." On similar news, Lloyds Bank users have reported not being able to access the mobile banking app. READ MORE: Barclays and NatWest among banks offering up to £175 for switching accounts He added: "Despite ongoing cost pressures, firms are positioning for growth, particularly in services where hiring and investment plans are accelerating. Overall business confidence remains buoyant, with firms well placed to take advantage of opportunities such as new markets, adopting new technology and workforce expansion amid evolving market conditions." Paul Kempster, managing director for commercial banking coverage at Lloyds Business and Commercial, added: "July's figures show that businesses are looking to the future. While confidence isn't rising evenly across all sectors and regions, it's encouraging to see positive sentiment holding well above the long-term average." He explained: "As confidence builds, we remain committed to supporting firms with a range of financial services to help them achieve their growth ambitions." Interestingly, it has been revealed that 60% of all businesses surveyed expect to hire more staff in the coming year, compared to 14% anticipating reducing employee numbers. Wage growth expectations declined by two points, too, which is the first decrease in three months with 34% forecasting average pay increases of 3% or more. It comes as Lloyds Bank revealed living in these historic locations will cost a first-time buyer an average £280,582, up 2% over the last year. Overall, property price growth in market towns has risen 24% over the past five years, and slightly more for those who are looking to purchase a property for the first time, at 26%.


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Thousands raised after death of Scots baker and family man
Aberdeenshire native Steven Buchan, who founded the bakery in 2019, died earlier this week at the age of 33, leaving behind his wife Zoe and three young children. An outpouring of support for the family has seen thousands of pounds raised via JustGiving. As of 2.40 PM on Thursday, £15,045 had been donated, in less than one day. Zoe Buchan said: "I lost my beautiful husband Steve suddenly and unexpectedly this week. As most of you will know he was the Vegan Bay Baker. He leaves behind myself and our three beautiful children. "I am hoping to raise enough money to give him the funeral he deserves and to have for our children. I am so overwhelmed by all the offers of support and help, all the lovely messages I've had. "I really appreciate everyone who has been so kind, sharing stories of him, how wonderful he was, he was the best daddy to our kids and husband to me. We already miss him so much." Childhood friends Steven and Zoe grew up in the small town of Balmedie, ten miles north of Aberdeen. The couple set up Scotland's first vegan craft bakery from their kitchen table, eventually expanding to brick and mortar locations in Aberdeen, Balmedie, and Peterhead. In 2022, the shop was honoured at the Scottish Bakers Awards, winning top prize for their sourdough bread. Five hundred people have contributed to the fund, including fellow Aberdeen pastry shop Bandit Bakery, who donated £200, as did Ellon-based pizza restaurant The Gaff and Peterculter artisans Crust Bakery. Anna Smith said on Facebook: "I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Steven kindly delivered us some delicious food during lockdown and really made my little boy so happy he could enjoy croissants and cakes for the first time with his dairy allergy." Rebekilla Duncan added: "My family and I met Steven in the Banchory food market a few years ago and he was so wonderful. It was the first time my daughter who has severe allergies could eat a croissant, he made her so happy and we ended up talking to Steven for a while about his business and how wonderful his products were."


The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Former bank chief and adviser to First Minister to head firm
Currently chairman of Glasgow-based investment firm N4 Partners, whose seven-figure investment last year made it the majority shareholder of Wbg, Mr Higgins succeeds Lorna Jack as chairman of the accountancy firm. Having overseen a series of acquisitions, the opening of a new office network and the rebranding of the companies within the group structure to Wbg, Ms Jack, former chief executive at The Law Society for Scotland, current chairman of Highlands and Islands Airports, vice chair of Scottish Funding Council and honorary consul for the Netherlands in Scotland, steps back from her role as Wbg chair to become a member of N4's advisory board. Allan Dowie, Wbg chief executive, said: 'Lorna has done a tremendous job overseeing Wbg's growth to date and I thank her for her valuable contribution in putting the building blocks in place for the firm. 'Benny is taking over at a very exciting time as we embark on the next phase of our journey, and he will be instrumental in helping us realise our ambitious targets on the next phase of our growth strategy. 'We see enormous potential, based on the current platform and management team, to grow organically and expand the business further with some exciting acquisitions on the horizon. 'In Benny, we have acquired an exceptional individual who shares our passion for forming meaningful partnerships across the business community. Given his stellar reputation and connections, his appointment as chair will enhance Wbg's profile as we embark on our latest phase of significant growth.' The firm said Mr Higgins 'has enjoyed an illustrious career to date working at an array of high-profile organisations throughout financial services', beginning his career at Standard Life, where he became a member of the Standard Life Group executive committee in 1996, before moving to RBS to become chief executive of Retail Banking where he led the successful integration of NatWest Retail Banking, one of banking's largest hostile takeovers. Following a senior role with HBOS, he held the position of chief executive at Tesco Bank from 2008 until 2018. Latterly, he was appointed as strategic adviser to the First Minister to help develop and implement the creation of a Scottish National Investment Bank. Mr Higgins said: 'Having served as chairman of N4 for some years now, I'm delighted to take on the same role at Wbg, to continue the track record of growth overseen by Lorna in that role and to spearhead the next phase of the firm's strategic development to realise its growth ambitions. 'Our targets are to grow our fee income to £30 million in three years and £50m in five years to achieve a ranking in the top 30 UK full-service professional services firms. 'We are committed to being a forward-thinking professional services firm, dedicated to empowering our team, utilising cutting-edge technology, and a trusted partner delivering superior value to clients and stakeholders through being acknowledged as an employer of choice, partnering with our clients and developing our local communities.' Glasgow-registered Wbg currently has 190 employees operating across a six-strong office network with a fee income of £14m serving over 10,000 clients, 70% of which are based in Scotland, the remainder of which are based in the rest of the UK. Edinburgh pub shut for a decade to reopen under new owners The teams behind Edinburgh-based brewery Newbarns and restaurant The Palmerston are to open a pub in the city.