Pauls Quality Butchers

Bonnybridge was the second branch of Paul`s Quality Butchers to open, in keeping with Paul`s tradition of having premises in places with a real community spirit.

The shop has quickly become a favourite in the area - thanks to the great staff of Stephanie, Elsabeth, Alan and Tracey - with a stream of loyal customers preferring the friendly, personal touch you dont get in the supermarkets.

This branch is also very proud to have it`s very own champion. Stephanie Craig making the top five in the National Young Butcher of the Year competition. The nineteen year old from Cumbernauld received her accolade in the glitzy presentation lunch held in the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel in Piccadilly.

Stephanie turned her back on a career in reflexology after picking up the butchery bug while helping out her dad at Christmas time. She quickly proved her worth and now manages the branch in Bonnybridge.

Speaking after the ceremony Stephanie's boss Paul Conway, himself a winner of the Scottish Butchers Shop of the Year at last year's awards, explained how the youngster had started out helping at Christmas and then as a Saturday girl.

"Her father was, and still is, the manager of my Kilsyth shop and she was very interested. Although still very young she did not feel that she had a place within the butchers because she was just serving. But I believed in her, I could see that she had a passion and inner belief that she could definitely do more than just serve the counter.

"Her skills for displays are probably the best within the company. She has an eye for perfection - all the sirloins are plated perfectly, nothing is slap and dash."

Pauls Quality Butchers operate shops in Kilsyth and Grangemouth as well as the Bonnybridge shop where Stephanie is now the manageress.

"The fact that when a 55 year old man with a vast amount of experience who was running the shop left through ill health, Stephanie took over the reins. She has improved the shop leaps and bounds.

"A lot of women have risen to the challenge saying ‘we can make it within the company'. Ultimately Stephanie buys into the Pauls Quality Butchers ethos - it is not just about Stephanie - it's about Pauls Quality Butchers. If I can get more of that in the company it will stand it in good stead for the future."