The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Scottish butcher lands top slot in UK awards
Athird-generation butcher from Lanarkshire has taken home a national award for his shop.
Stewart Collins has won the Scottish Butcher Shop of the Year title four times but missed out on the UK award until this year’s Farm Shop and Deli Show in Birmingham.
He took over the business from his father in 2004 and is supported by his brother Fraser, who joined the business in 2006 as well as a team of 40 staff.
He said: “Everyone has been through a lot in the last couple of years.
“It has not just been physically challenging, but it has taken its toll on the team mentally and emotionally.
“We hope by winning this award we can give back to those who have supported us and give them the recognition they deserve.”
Quality Meat Scotland brands development manager Gordon Newlands said: “It is wonderful to see a Scottish Butcher Club Member take home the UK title for Butcher Shop of the Year as it drives positivity throughout the whole industry because Stewart and the team are buying locally at the Lanark auction mart, employing local people and serving local customers.
“Over the past two years, support for butchers has skyrocketed as the public sought out meat from trusted local sources and butchers worked around the clock to meet the rise in demand.
“It has been a testing time for the trade and the awards were an opportunity to gather together and give back to the businesses and individuals who have risen to the challenge to continue to provide highquality produce but have also expanded or developed their products or business to take the sector forward.”
All three finalists in the Scottish category were members of the Scotch Butchers Club.
They included Bert Fowlie Butchers from Strichen and McCaskies, based in Wemyss Bay.
The Scotch Butchers Club has a membership of over 250 independent businesses across Great Britain.
All are approved stockists of Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork.