FDBusiness.com

Diageo is planning to develop new warehouse storage facilities for Scotch whisky at Cluny in Fife, costing in the region of £150 million. The world’s largest spirits producer is reported to be seeking permission from Fife Council to construct 46 warehouses for the maturation of Scotch whisky stocks in line with the continued expansion of production at its Cameronbridge distillery.

The proposed project, which would take about seven years to complete, is expected to generate 200 long-term construction jobs and around 40 operational posts.

‘‘I think sales are going to continue to grow over the next 12 years – that is how long it takes to make Johnnie Walker Black Label – and that means we need more warehouses,” comments Richard Bedford, director of grain distilling at Diageo. “We have not been out for detail design or spec or tendering yet but the estimated investment would be £150 million. That could easily be give or take £20-odd million as we don’t know the outcome for the detailed ground survey or the plant we would want to install.”