Irn Bru has recipe to capture England

Published on Saturday 30 May 2009 19:48

THE businesswoman who is to be handed responsibility for Irn Bru's famous secret recipe has revealed that Scotland's other national drink is planning a cross-border invasion.

Julie Barr, 36, said last night: "We have a secure market in Scotland, but we want to increase the numbers of English people enjoying Irn Bru."

AG Barr, which has made Irn Bru for more than a century, has been encouraged by recent figures: England and Wales take home retail sales increased by 19 per cent in the 12 weeks to 18 April.

Despite the recession, Irn Bru is selling at a third faster than last year. Barr, the company secretary, wants to make further inroads into England, so that AG Barr can grow its UK retail sales of 250m.

Barr, who trained as a lawyer and has a Cambridge degree in natural sciences, is to become the keeper of the family's secret recipe. The Irn Bru formula is held in a bank vault and the only person who knows it is her father Robin Barr, 71, who is stepping down after 31 years as chairman and almost 50 years with the company.

Julie Barr said: "I'm told I'm going to be indoctrinated. Obviously the important thing is to make sure that the recipe is mixed properly. Irn Bru has been mixed by a member of the Barr family for 108 years.

"It is done behind closed doors. They are locked. The Barr family has shown that it can keep secrets over the years, so I should be able to keep up that family trait."