Harlech Foodservice has opened a £120,000 butchery at its Chester depot as part of plans to grow in north-east Wales and the north-west of England. It has already secured contracts with hotels, restaurants, schools and sports sites.
This is the company’s second warehouse to have a butchery, the other being at the Criccieth head office, which added the facility in 2012. The meat includes beef, lamb, pork and poultry.
Mark Lawton, operations director of the Fairway Foodservice member, said: “We pride ourselves on offering products that are quality, consistent and have provenance.
“The butchery employs 10 people and is headed by master butcher Liam Harvey. He is supported by two supervisory butchers, each with 30 years’ experience. The team also consists of junior butchers, as well as support members of staff for packing and labelling.”
Lawton added: “The Chester launch helps us to reduce our carbon footprint, with reduced vehicle mileage for deliveries from head office to customers in the north-west – part of our aim to have carbon neutral distribution by the end of 2020.”
Harlech Foodservice, which also has a depot in Shrewsbury, has a turnover of £32 million, 200 employees and a fleet of 45 vehicles.