A BUTCHER who has been in the trade for more than 20 years has set up her own business near Alresford.
Emily McInnes, who worked her way up from a Saturday girl at age 14, has launched McInnes Meats at a unit in Bramdean.
Leaving her position at Soles Butchers in Alresford behind, Emily has fulfilled her dream of pursuing her own butchery business with the hope that one day she can pass the trade down to her children.
The butcher, aged 36, brought in her first body of beef to her base at Wood Farm on January 10 to cut to order.
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Emily is now urging the public to get in contact with their orders and spread the word of her start-up business which offers cuts to specific needs with the meats then packaged and prepared for collection.
The new business owner said: “I’m super excited and can’t stop smiling. I wanted to spread my wings and do something for myself.
“People nowadays are looking at where their meat has been reared and produced and I’m hoping to give customers assurance that they’re buying quality, locally sourced produce.
“The cost-of-living crisis is on my mind but the business will be a long-term thing as it can only go from strength to strength. The economy isn’t great but typically people would rather spend money on good quality meat which will stretch further.
“I’ve received a lot of well wishes and positive enquiries from potential customers which shows there are people who need my skills.”
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The butcher, who lives in Alresford, moved into the unit at the end of October and has since been getting all the equipment she needs.
The mother of two will be running the business on her own but is open to employing more people if it gets busy further down the line.
Emily added: “This is the first time I’ve ever taken the step to have my own business. It’s super exciting but nerve racking at the same time. The flexibility I’ll now have with my time and two children is a big plus point.”
McInnes Meats is on Instagram and the social media site nextdoor and is open to enquiries and orders. For more contact Emily at emcinnes10@gmail.com.
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