Muirhead butchers S. Collins & Son is celebrating after lifting the industry's top annual national award - Britain's Best Butchers Shop - shortly after securing the Scottish title for an impressive fifth time.
And in a remarkable week of success, the popular family butchers picked up a unique Diamond double in the Q Guild Star Awards at Smithfield, marking two of their products as the best in the country.
Founder Stewart Collins could only have dreamed of such success when he began the business in 1955.
Now, two generations and 67 years on, grandsons Stewart Collins, 49, and brother Fraser, 47, have achieved an unprecedented industry triumph for the multi-award-winning butchers.
And the siblings are absolutely delighted to add a British title to their list of achievements.
"To secure the Scottish title again was a real thrill," beamed Stewart. "But to go on to be named the Best Butchers in Britain was the real icing on the cake.
"It's an amazing honour and we're so proud of everyone in the business - from the guys who butcher the meat and make the sausages to the team members who serve at the front counter and prepare local and online deliveries.
"Everyone has worked their socks off for the past few years as butchers kept the country fed during the Covid pandemic," explained Stewart.
"Everyone went weeks on end without time off and these awards are just reward for everyone's outstanding efforts. It's just recognition for their hard work and dedication."
Stewart explained that the Muirhead shop, which opened in 1979, was invited to enter the Britain's Best Butchers Shop Awards.
This was followed by a robust judging process including site visits by judges and mystery shoppers.
"It's a big thank you to all the team for all the physical, emotional and mental hardships that we've pulled through together," said Stewart.
"Best Butchers Shop in Britain. Best in the business. You can't get better than that."
Stewart believes S. Collins & Son's success lies in their modern, forward thinking while never losing sight of traditional values and standards of service.
The company, which has built an unrivalled reputation for premium quality produce and outstanding service, employs more than 40 staff at its sites at Muirhead and a second within Scotmid at Uddingston.
And two products crafted and sold at the outlets proved national winners lifting coveted Diamond Awards at Smithfield.
"We were recognised as having both the UK's best sirloin steak and best black pudding," said a delighted Stewart, "lifting the Diamond Award for each - a double accolade that we don't believe has ever been achieved before."
The award-winning black pudding is one of Stewart and Fraser's grandfather's original recipes, hand-mixed and hand-filled with a few tweaks over the years to embrace evolving tastes.
Stewart maintains their equally-successful sirloin steaks are the result of generations of experience.
"The secret lies in buying the right cattle from the right farm and then hanging it in the traditional way for the right length of time," he said.
Our beef is bought live by our father at Lanark market every Monday from various local farms including Brockwoodless Farm in Canobie and dry-aged for 30 days in our chill.
"We wait until just the right moment to sell it. Thankfully, the judges think we get it just right too.
"All of our fresh meat is of the highest quality, sourced from local farms and markets and all backed by a full provenance guarantee," explained Stewart.
“Our full range of quality products and in-house specialities have gained numerous awards and widespread accolades within the food industry.”
S. Collins & Son also pride themselves on their strong community identity and are in no doubt that these latest accolades will delight their customers.
"They'll be really proud," Stewart said.
"We buy, sell and recruit locally in North Lanarkshire and these awards are something the whole community can take pride in."
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