27 jobs under threat at Lennoxtown water bottling plant

The company revealed last week the firm is looking to axe the jobs in an effort to offset the financial damage caused by covid-19 restrictions.

The bottled water giant, which has its main plant in Perthshire, said it is getting ready to begin redundancy talks.

The plant at Lennoxtown employs 83 staff in total.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “We are proposing a headcount reduction of 27 roles at our Fells site in Lennoxtown, Glasgow, and five roles at our Ochils site in Blackford, Perthshire.”

All employees have been told to expect an “across-the-board staff salary reduction” until at least the middle of 2021.

Highland Spring set up in Perthshire more than four decades ago.

The company has a entire staff of just over 400 at four sites in Scotland, and one in Wales.

Local MSP Rona Mackay said: “This is incredibly disappointing news for the workers at Lennoxtown and indeed for the entire community.

“As a major employer in the town, the knock on effect will be severe, coming at a time when Covid-19 is taking its toll on so many aspects of life for everyone. My office and the entirety of the Scottish Government stands ready to assist anyone impacted by this decision.

“This news demonstrates the clear urgency for the UK Chancellor to not only extend the furlough scheme but to also provide further financial assistance to the Scottish Government so that we can help businesses with a global reputation like Highland Spring through these unprecedented times.

“We must not withdraw the furlough financial lifeline to those who need it most in my constituency.”