Gdansk mayor demands money from Zywiec brewery

The local authority in Gdansk wants Zywiec to pay it over zl. 67 million in compensation for failing to fulfil an investment promise. In 1995, the Gdansk local authority gave 51% of Hevelius Brewing Company (HBC) shares to Brewpole on condition it would invest $15 million in the company over the following three years. Zywiec subsequent bought Brewpole. Brewpole says it has invested $16 million, but the Gdansk authorities are refusing to acknowledge the investment claiming the funds came from profits and not from investors. Zywiec is the main shareholder of Elbrewery, to which HBC belongs. Zywiec says the 1995 agreement aimed to strengthen Hevelius, and this is exactly what has happened. It claims Gdansk is trying to make up for shortfalls in its budget. The deputy mayor of Gdansk, Zbigniew Czepulkowski, is certain a court will rule in his favor. He would like to use the money to improve roads and bridges. (Puls Biznesu, page 9,36) A.D.