Wholesale butchery purchases new premises to meat growing demand

A wholesale catering butcher, with outlets in West Yorkshire and Lancashire, is set for expansion after investing in new premises to accommodate business growth in the North of England, with support from Yorkshire Bank.

Clifton Quality Meats has purchased a new site in Normanton beside the existing one in the town to help manage the growth coming from the butcher’s other sites, which includes Wakefield and Blackpool.

Focused on delivering high quality meat and poultry products sourced from local specialist suppliers and a network of meat processing plants, Clifton Quality Meats works with a wide range of businesses including hotels, restaurants, sporting venues, healthcare and the education sector.

Established more more than 100 years as a chain of local butchers in Kirkham, Lancashire, Clifton Quality Meats has seen a period of significant growth over the last couple of years, which resulted in a turnover of more than £10m in 2014.

Having worked with Yorkshire Bank for more than 15 years, the most recent six-figure funding package brings the total investment in Clifton Quality Meats from the Bank to £2.5m.

As well as catering for existing customers, the new premises will also enable the butcher to carry out its growth strategy of expanding further into the south of England, using its fleet of refrigerated vehicles to service new and existing clients across the region.

Employing a team of more than 70 staff, Clifton Quality Meats will aim to create 10 new jobs at the new site, with potential to take on more members of staff in the coming months.

Stephen Hellewell, managing director at Clifton Quality Meats, said: “Before acquiring the premises, new business growth had to be supported by our Blackpool operation. We had to move the geographic boundary closer to Blackpool as our current site at Normanton was at capacity. The extra space from our new premises will allow us to save and consolidate on transport and logistic costs of deliveries and inter depot transfers. This is particularly important as we look to grow the business and expand operations into the south of England.

“Yorkshire Bank has been very supportive of our vision and growing ambitions over the years, providing a number of facilities to help us reach them. We have a very positive relationship with our manager, Andy Nurse, who is always keen to listen to our ideas.”

Ian Hardman, head of Yorkshire Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Preston, added: “Clifton Quality Meats is a great example of a local business successfully expanding into larger markets, leading to strong growth. Since starting to work with them more than 15 years ago we’ve seen the business move to become a major player in meat wholesaling. We’re proud to have been able to support them along the way and pleased they could take advantage of our new premises lending initiative.”

“As economic conditions continue to improve, Yorkshire Bank remains focused on supporting the growth ambitions of businesses across Lancashire and Yorkshire.”

Yorkshire Bank has recently strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Yorkshire Bank will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.