Top UK award for Northern Irish butchery business

McAtamney's has been named Northern Ireland Butcher's Shop of the Year 2017 in a UK competition.

The company's shop in Coleraine, county Derry came out on top of Northern Ireland entrants in the annual UK awards organised by the Meat Trades Journal publication.

McAtamney's Traditional Butchers was established in 1933 by Mr John McAtamney and is now owned and managed by the third generation of the McAtamney family.

The business, headquartered in Ballymena, county Antrim, has grown from one retail outlet in Norther Ireland in the 1980s to 10 across the region.

The winning shop in Coleraine was opened in 2002. As well as premium meats, the butchery business has developed an extensive portfolio of ready meals and sides and also sells other local artisan products.

The awards are national and unique. Over the last 23 years the awards have built a solid reputation for recognising and celebrating excellence, innovation and quality in the UK's butchery industry.

The awards were presented at a major industry reception held in County Hall, London.

They were introduced "to promote butchery businesses regionally and nationally, showcase a shop's achievements, reward staff and boost team morale, celebrate the best in the UK butchery sector, and provide networking opportunities".

Rod Addy, Meat Trades Journal/Global Meat News editor, says: "The annual Butcher's Shop of the Year awards reward excellence and innovation in butchery in independent butchers, farm shops, food halls and even purely online operations across England, Wales Northern Ireland and Scotland.

"In addition, they encourage the development of young talent coming into the trade through the Young Butcher of the Year award. The event also provides a great chance to network with suppliers and customers."