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Up to 20 jobs are at risk following the decision of the whiskey company William Grant to close the Tullamore DEW visitor center in the city.
Staff were informed of the imminent closure tonight and it is understood that there may be some possibility of reassignment to another part of the company.
Local sources say William Grant intends to open a new tourist facility at the distillery on the Tullamore Bypass.
While confirmation of William Grant’s decision is not expected until Wednesday, local politicians have said work must begin immediately to find an alternative use for the building on Bury Quay.
It was leased by the Offaly County Council to William Grant and the whiskey company later invested significantly by turning it into a visitor center that attracted 40,000 people each year.
Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowen said the shutdown came as a major disappointment and his first thoughts were with the staff.
He said it is now necessary to address the details of the lease and explore options, including the possibility of running a tender to offer the building for some other commercial use and he hoped Tullamore DEW “would not get in the way.”
Councilman Tony McCormack described the closure as a “big shock” but said he could understand the economic rationale behind it at a time when there were few tourists coming to Ireland and if the company believed a move to the distillery would benefit. to Tullamore DEW in the longer term.
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