B Clark & Son, Lossiemouth – August 2010

Paul whose grandfather had a butchers' business in Kingussie followed in the family tradition. His father, Bruce, previously traded in Lossiemouth from this very shop from 1979 until 1992 but sold out to take on a shop in Nairn.

Like many sons of butchers, Paul worked in his father's shop from a very early stage, filling in on Saturdays and during holidays but when he left school he worked for Fleetwoods, a local engineering firm.

Bruce's happy problem of being too busy in Nairn coaxed Paul back to work with him but by November 2007 Paul at the age of 35 had completed the circuitous route to open his own shop in Lossiemouth.

B Clark & Son sits on the south side of Queen Street with free on street parking. The shop itself is not huge but it does burst with a large selection of fresh and baked produce. A dairy cabinet on the left displays ready-to-eat products while a refrigerated display cabinet is well stocked with traditional fresh meat and kitchen ready products.

Blackboards are used to explain all the current offers but this is a shop with a big personality. Paul and his young staff greet customers by name. Counter assistants Dawn, Anna and 19 year old trainee butcher Nigel are all out going characters who are noticeably delighted to welcome customers.

This is no faceless shopping experience and the success of the business has much to do with the friendly exchange that starts almost before you walk inside the door!

Paul makes all his own sausages, burgers, haggis, mealie and black pudding using traditional family recipes. Clark's also sell game all of which made the locals ecstatic when the shop re-opened. Now some of their range of speciality sausages are approved by Slimming World and they also produced fresh ready meals.

Home made pastry products, both savoury and sweet, are freshly prepared by Nicky in the dedicated bakehouse at the rear. These pastry and meat products entice customers to shop at Clarks. Along with the locally sourced beef, lamb and pork they are important constituents in ensuring customers needs are fully met.

Attachments:

• CLARKS 190710.pdf