Have a butchers at your business

MASTER butcher Dick van Leeuwen has been passing on his expertise to try to improve the competitiveness of butchers. Dick, butchery specialist with the Meat and Livestock Commission visited a range of Scottish retail shops giving them tips. The training programme was put together on behalf of the Scottish Federation of Meat Trade Associations (SFMTA). Dick said: "The number of butchers has been in decline and those that are left have already embraced a rake of changes to remain competitive. "However, the market and consumer expectations are constantly changing and the butcher needs to reflect those changes to stay ahead and remain in business. "My aim was to try to identify ways in which they could make their shops more attractive to consumers and provide more of what was wanted."

Dick also offered advice on how to market and promote the business, reviewed product ranges, advised on the shop layout and gave tips on modern butchery techniques. SFMTA Chief Executive Douglas Scott said: "His knowledge and experience were very much appreciated by the firms and trainees he visited. "It was made possible through a European Social Fund Grant and it is something we hope we will be able to repeat." Dick trained at the renowned SVO Dutch butchery school in Utrecht for 6 years.

This included fresh meat, product development, delicatessen products and cured meats. The course also included marketing and business studies. Dick then worked in Holland working for traditional craft butchers who mad all their own products and for a chain of Dutch supermarkets in charge of the meat departments. For the last 18 years he has worked for the MLC developing products and advising companies in various sectors of the trade. Anybody who is interested in a similar programme should contact Dick on 01908 844118.