Latest news with #Ellon-based
The National
12 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Aberdeenshire housebuilding firm to axe up to 25 jobs
Scotia Homes, based in Ellon, said the decision to make some of its workforce redundant is due to 'significant challenges' facing the housebuilding sector. It's the second time in two years that Scotia Homes, which employs around 168 people, has been forced to make redundancies. Joint managing director Richard Begbie said the redundancies were in response to 'current market conditions', the Press and Journal reported. READ MORE: Closure of Alexander Dennis would be 'catastrophic' for Falkirk area, MSPs told Begbie said the decision for the latest round of job cuts was not taken lightly and will predominantly be made at their head office and not from its team of trades. He said: 'As widely reported, the housebuilding sector is currently facing significant challenges due to a range of external factors. 'In response to these market conditions, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the continued strength of our business. 'As part of this strategy, we are proposing changes to our workforce structure. We deeply value the contributions of our team, and this decision has not been made lightly. 'Scotia Homes remains dedicated to delivering quality homes and building vibrant communities, and these changes will help position us for future growth and continued success in a rapidly evolving market. 'It is anticipated that those affected by redundancy will be less than 25 employees.' The firm has been building homes in the north and north-east of Scotland for more than 30 years and has current developments in Kintore, Tarves, Aviemore, Arbroath, Blairgowrie and Brechin. Scotia Homes acquired fellow Ellon-based firm timber kit manufacturer Caledonia Homes for nearly £4.2 million in 2022. The firm was previously controlled by the Bruce family, but the firm is now 95% owned by Camlin Group, a joint venture of property entrepreneurs Bruce Linton and David Cameron, who took over Scotia Homes in 2020.
Edinburgh Live
03-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh pub launches 'first Guinness garden in city' with self-pour machine
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh pub is launching the city's 'first Guinness garden' with a self-pour machine. Malones in Leith is offering free pints to 50 of the first customers through the door on June 6 to celebrate, from 3pm. The 'lively' terrace is decorated with Guinness inspired planters and promises a 'laid-back vibe'. A new summer sun spot for the area, their self-pour machine claims to be the first of its kind in the city, allowing punters to pour their own perfect pint. Malones Leith General Manager Charlie Douglas, said: "This is a game-changer for Guinness lovers. It's all about the experience - pulling your own pint and enjoying it in the sunshine with friends." The garden will be open from 10pm throughout the summer, and opens just in time for the jazz festival. (Image: Malones Pub Group) A spokesperson for Malones added: "It comes as West Ham United fans are set to receive free and discounted beer throughout the pre-season after signing a major multi-year deal with Scottish brewing giant BrewDog. "The former European Conference League winners announced the new partnership on their social media accounts last month. As part of the deal, the Ellon-based brewery has agreed to support grassroots football teams across Essex and East London by providing brand-new kits to several of them ahead of the new season." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
The National
28-05-2025
- Business
- The National
BrewDog launches new partnership with West Ham and London Stadium
In typical BrewDog fashion, the Ellon-based drinks firm has got people scratching their heads with another PR disaster-class, this time announcing a multi-year deal with the Premier League side and the London Stadium. The 'totally punk trailblazers' said the deal is a 'bold new chapter in fan experience' by offering the poor punters at the London Stadium BrewDog's 'finest beers'. READ MORE: I followed the SNP campaign trail in Hamilton – here's what I found out West Ham fans will soon be poured pints of Lost Lager, Punk IPA, Hazy Jane, Cold Beer, Wingman – a line-up which would struggle in the Sunday Leagues of your average boozers. With London having the highest average price for a pint, you do have to feel that the partnership with BrewDog does feel a bit like adding insult to injury for the poor Hammers fans. You would think, after their team's abysmal season in the Premier League last season, they would be hoping for some better signings over the summer transfer window. But don't worry, West Ham fans, you won't be the only ones who can enjoy a nice pint of 'Punk IPA', as the deal has been sealed ahead of Sam Fender, Iron Maiden, and the London Athletics at the stadium. The good news doesn't stop there as the firm plans to 'underline their commitment to football in East London' by kicking off the partnership by kitting out a number of grassroots teams with BrewDog-branded kits. Lauren Carrol, chief operating officer at BrewDog, said the firm is all about creating 'unforgettable moments with great beer', which is honestly somewhat true. (Image: Awakening) Who could forget the plethora of gaffes by the firm, many by their former leader James Watt, now trading his CEO days for more Elon Musk-style entrepreneurship? The announcement added that the collaboration is focused on 'transforming the stadium into a next-level destination for fans', with BrewDog on the taps. I fear that destination will be at another pub down the road.
The National
03-05-2025
- Business
- The National
BrewDog records multi-million pound loss in US market slump
The Ellon-based beer firm poured £4.2m into its stateside branch in 2024 but has recorded a loss of £6.7m, blaming a slowdown in the craft beer market, the Scottish Sun has reported. 'This is not pretty at all,' one shareholder told the newspaper, adding that the 'whole situation looks pretty dire'. It was reported that BrewDog has also slashed its operations in the US, with its brewery in Columbus, Ohio, running at 30% capacity. READ MORE: John Swinney urges UK's biggest news agency to reconsider Scottish job cuts The drinks firm has also cut the number of states they sell to from 33 to 14. In a recovery bid dubbed Operation Slingshot, BrewDog has ramped up its production for other US companies with contract brewing up 544%. However, CEO James Taylor reportedly insisted the US operation had turned a profit of £376,000. He said: 'It's not a disappointing result at all. 'It's not vast, but we've returned it back to profit. There is still much to do and a huge opportunity.' Accounts also revealed BrewDog USA chief John Graham stood down at the start of the year after less than two years in the role. The company's accounts showed last year that it made a loss of £59m, it was the fourth year in a row that BrewDog had posted significant pre-tax losses. Previously, it recorded losses of £12.5m in 2020, £9.4m in 2021, and £30.5m in 2022. At the time, BrewDog said the losses recorded in 2023 were 'driven by one-off impairment costs related to historic acquisitions and restructuring'.
Press and Journal
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club senior men INVINCIBLES - including Edwin, 85 - win historic league and Scottish Cup double
Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club's representative men's senior team carpeted rivals across the country, winning all 18 matches – a national-first – on their way to a Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup double. It was quite the couple of weeks for the history-making, invincible Summerhill side, who secured the league title on Wednesday, March 26, followed by the Scottish title seven days later on Wednesday, April 2. It is believed they are the first Scottish senior indoor team EVER to win all of their games in a campaign. The squad was comprised of 20 players, making up four rinks of four, with four reserves. Most of the talent are in their 70s – though there are a couple of young guns of 60-plus, while a couple of the players are octogenerians. Edwin Riddell, 85, was the oldest member of squad. Ellon-based former electrician Edwin has been a member at Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club for four decades, and was lured back to the club's competitive ranks, following a stint playing for Buchan Bowling Club, in 2021, by ex-Summerhill senior captain Gordon Brown. Brown, he revealed, told him: 'You'll win trophies here' – and even the best draw could not have been more accurate! 'I've won a load of things at that level in bowling, but to win two medals within two weeks is tremendous,' Edwin said, after playing his final campaign for Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club's senior representative side, who play their matches on Wednesdays during the season. In the league, Aberdeen won eight sectional games, before moving on to the knock-out stages with the best sides nationally. This culminated in a final at East Fife Indoor Bowling Club, in Leven, against Auchinleck – which Aberdeen won 69-56. In the all-knock-out Scottish Cup, Aberdeen came through six ties to lift the trophy. The final was against West Lothian at Midlothian Indoor Bowling Club, where they triumphed 65-54. As Aberdeen looked to complete their perfect 18-victory season in Dalkeith, Edwin says the match was 'very close'. He added: 'I was a substitute in that game. The final game – I had told the captain I was retiring for next season. 'But I played at East Fife in the league final.' Sport runs in the Riddell family. Edwin's son Gary Riddell played football for Aberdeen and Dunfermline – tragically passing away during a charity half-marathon in 1989. His other son, Kevin, is the manager of Ellon Sports Centre, while grandson Ben Riddell plays for Highland League Formartine United. Though he is now putting his bowls away on Wednesdays, he will continue to play other local senior league matches for Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club next season. Edwin says he has enjoyed taking on the best Scottish outfits with his double-winning representative side team-mates, adding: 'There's a good social aspect. When you're travelling from Ellon into Aberdeen, so you can't really socialise as much, drinking-wise. 'But I enjoy my game and I enjoy the company. They're a great bunch of boys.' Current Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club representative men's senior team manager John Miller – who also manages Bon Accord Bowling Club's men's senior team in outdoor bowls – was delighted the squad were able to achieve success in his first season in-post, and thinks an open approach to his role played a part. He said: 'It was my first year. 'You've got a squad of 20 guys and you can only play 16 at a time. 'Anyone who was ever dropped got a phone call to say they were being dropped, and I think the players appreciated that – and that's why I got them playing so well.'
