Major expansion plans for butchers chain as revenues hit £37m

BUTCHERS chain the Crawshaw Group has had a “transformative year” with new management in place,

Chief executive Noel Collett joined in March 2015, and CFO Alan Richardson and CCO Kevin Boyd also joined the board recently to support growth plans which have seen turnover for the year increase 51% to £37.1m.

For the year to 31 January 2016, Crawshaws reported a loss before tax of £300,000, compared to a profit of £1.2m for the same period the year before due to restructuring and new store openings, as well as an increased wage bill.

Consultancy fees increased five times what they were in the year ending in 2015.

During the year the business acquired Gabbotts Farm in the first half of the year and opened six new sites, with plans to open a total of 15 this year.

It employs 562 colleagues across its 39 stores as well as its other facilities. The business intends to increase this as it rolls out nationally, having already extended its presence in the North West with openings in Warrington.

Chief executive officer, Noel Collett, said: “We are pleased to report another set of solid results for the business and are delighted with the significant progress we’ve made during a very transformative year.

” We have proved that customers love our compelling retail concept, delivering quality fresh meat and food-to-go at exceptional prices.

“With strong foundations now in place, we are well positioned to build on our current position and establish Crawshaws as a national brand.”