Molson Coors, the Carling brewer, has announced plans to close its national contact centre in Cardiff by the end of 2026, alongside plans to shut Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall by the end of the year.
Both closures form part of wider cost-cutting and efficiency measures and will be subject to a period of consultation.
Simon Kerry, UK and Ireland managing director at Molson Coors, said: “The proposed closure of Sharp’s Brewery has not been an easy decision for us to make.
“It has been a significant part of our UK business for 15 years, with an exceptional and committed team who take such huge pride in their craft.
“We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp’s brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome.
“However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network.”
Mr Kerry also addressed the closure of the contact centre in Cardiff.
He said: “As our customers’ purchasing habits have become more digitally led over the past few years, we have evolved our business as part of our digitisation journey.
“The proposed closure of our national contact centre is no reflection on the brilliant work of our teams, but is in response to these changes.
“This is clearly a very difficult time for our colleagues, and we will be doing everything we can to support our teams through this process.”
The company said the Cardiff centre is being closed due to a significant shift in customer behaviour, with almost 90 per cent of orders from clients, including bars and pubs, now being placed online via the company’s website.
Customer service operations will be handled online and from its UK and Ireland headquarters in Burton upon Trent.
The closure in Cardiff comes alongside the proposed shutdown of Sharp’s Brewery in Rock, Cornwall, which employs 80 staff and produces well-known beers including Doom Bar, Atlantic, Offshore, Sea Fury, Solar Wave, and Chalky’s Bite.
Molson Coors said the decision to close the brewery was made “only after exploring every alternative option to make the site financially sustainable”.
The company has invested more than £20 million into the site since acquiring the business in 2011.
The closure of both the brewery and the contact centre is part of efforts to “unlock efficiencies and cost-savings” across the Molson Coors UK business.
The company said it “remains committed” to the Sharp’s brands and was looking at possible production tie-ups.
The contact centre is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to the outcome of the consultation process.
