A family-owned and run Scottish online butcher will soon be home to the UK’s largest dry ageing station, after securing a £2 million funding package from HSBC UK.
John Gilmour Butchers is building a £10m new butchery and retail facility in Wallyford, East Lothian, to meet growing demand.
The company, which supplies dry aged beef and lamb to restaurants, will use the funding to purchase more land for its planned 45,000 sq ft site.
The additional space should hold an office, retail shop and deli, as well as three Himalayan salt dry-ageing chambers capable of maturing over 6,000 pieces of bone-in sirloin and ribeye. The dehumidifying units draw the moisture out of the meat to increase tenderness and flavour.
The expansion will see John Gilmour Butchers take on 40 new staff members, including new butchers and mechanical technicians.
In addition, the company will set up a new apprenticeship scheme to encourage young butchers to join the industry.
Managing director Daniel Gilmour said: “Growth is always exciting, and thanks to this funding, we’ll be able to fully embrace it by increasing our facilities and workforce.
“This will enable us to not only take on new clients, but service our existing clients to an exceptionally high level.
“We’re also excited to explore our ambition to export our Gilmour Black Gold range to international clients in the near future.”
The business was founded in 1946 by brothers William and John, and has grown from a small high street store into an online business with a burgeoning trade in London.
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