Clark and Son Butchers in Long Melford caps rollercoaster year with opening of new retail outlet
A family-run butchers believes it can fill the void left by the closure of a long-running shop, as it caps a roller-coaster 2020 with the launch of a new retail outlet.
Clark and Son, a wholesale butcher and game merchant for the last 22 years, opened a new shop in Hall Street, Long Melford, on Tuesday – the company’s first foray into retail.
The new venture follows a radical transformation of the business in 2020, which initially saw its wholesale trade dry up after the first coronavirus lockdown in March.
After overhauling its online presence and transitioning to a delivery-based model, serving a 40-mile radius of Long Melford, Clark and Son’s fortunes dramatically turned around, making around 1,000 door-to-door deliveries each week.
Owner Justin Clark told the Free Press that the success of this model meant that a full retail shop was the “next logical step”.
“When we started, it was out of necessity to keep afloat and keep people employed,” he said. “Our business was all hotels and restaurants, and predominantly our staff worked at night.
“We built such a strong customer base with our online sales, and we constantly had people asking if we had a shop, so it was the obvious step to take.
“It’s a massive step, but it’s a massive chance for us. I’d like to think this could be the first of many. I think we’ve got a strong business model here, with what we’ve designed.”
The shop’s opening marks the return of a butchers to the Long Melford high street, after Ruse and Son – an institution in the village for 160 years – shut its doors for the final time in January.
Clark and Son has also brought in former Ruse butcher Leon Garnett to lead the team at the new outlet, which offers a range of other products in addition to meats, including a selection of cheeses.
“The response has been unbelievable,” said Mr Clark. “We’ve had letters of support and cards pushed under our door, and people have been knocking on the window asking to see the shop.
“I think it’s hugely important to have a butchers. It’s sort of the heart and soul of the village, and when we lost Ruse and Son, it was sorely missed by everyone. I think this puts the heart back into the village.”
Business consultant Tom Jamison, who supported Clark and Son with revamping its digital business model, added: “It’s complementary. Clark and Son will still have the wholesale element and the delivery boxes.
“It’s kind of a new dawn. It will definitely fill the void left by not having Ruse’s, but it will have more of a farm shop feel.
“It has not been an easy year. It’s about using the opportunity that 2020 has given us to support local people. We wanted to be open for Christmas, because we, as a butchers, wanted to try to make Christmas special, after what has been a very challenging year.”
The shop is open from 7am to 6pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays. For more information, go online to www.clarkandsonmeats.com.
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