Royal warrant snub for Ballater butcher

The co-owner of HM Sheridan butcher in Ballater has said that it is “business as usual” despite missing out on a King’s royal warrant.

John Sinclair was recently informed that the business – trading since April 1963 and located in the Royal Deeside village’s Bridge Street – had been unsuccessful in their bid to get the new warrant.

“We’re just disappointed at not getting it,” he told The P&J.

Providers of meat and poultry to nearby Balmoral Castle, HM Sheridan holds two royal warrants – one from the late Queen and the other from Charles when he was the Prince of Wales/Duke of Rothesay – since 1987.

Awarded by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, warrants are granted for up to five years at a time and are used as a mark of recognition for suppliers of goods and services to the royal family.

And it was the association which informed Mr Sinclair that his business was unsuccessful in its application.

“The protocol and filling in forms has changed a lot since way back with the early warrants. There’s a lot more to do than there was before, so it’s not straightforward,” he said.

So far, no reason has been given why HM Sheridan did not get the accolade. However, Mr Sinclair said he has still to reply back to the Royal Warrants Holders Association to acknowledge the letter.

The butchers, which also has a branch located on Banchory High Street, proudly displays “purveyor of meat and poultry to HM The Queen”.

However, it is unclear if they will continue to be the provider to Balmoral Castle.

Mr Sinclair does not think the arrangement will be in place any more, telling The P&J: “I wouldn’t think so, no.”

He remains optimistic however, and said “you never know”, adding: “If they phone in and ask for an order then they’ll get it, it’s not the end of the world.”

Although the Ballater shop proudly displays its two royal warrants on its exterior, the co-owner admitted that they will both be gone in the next couple of years.

The Queen’s royal warrant will have to be taken down in September, as it will be two years since Britain’s longest-serving monarch passed away, while Mr Sinclair said the Prince of Wales one will be able to stay up until 2026.

A post on HM Sheridan’s Facebook page said: “We would like to reassure all our customers that it is business as usual and we will continue to source local and maintain our high standards.

“We look forward to seeing you all in both Ballater and Banchory shops.”

Reacting to the news, many locals were disappointed that the butcher, which has been trading since April 1963, will no longer having this prestigious honour.

John Morrison posted on Facebook: “A royal warrant doesn’t make the product, whatever it is, any better than the next one.”

After holding the warrants for nearly 40 years, Shirley Wood said: “So very sad to hear what the King has done to this butcher after all that years of service.”

“Loyalty and service means nothing these days,” was the thoughts of Emma Louise Reid, while Derek Corsie said it was “sad to hear”.

Despite the shock, disappointment and anger, some people were behind the move.

Sue Marsden posted: “If we all did the same as our parents we would never have change. He is his own man making his own choices.”

While Louise Huddlestone thinks the baton should be passed on to another butchers.

She said: “Is it just me, or am I the only one who thinks that someone else should have the chance of a royal warrant?”

BUSINESS AS USUAL: Brian Scott, Grant Anderson and Vince Duguid outside the Ballater shop in 2020, and, inset, one of their royal warrants.