The
family firm of H.W. Irvine, known to locals as the "Pork
Butchers" was founded in rented premises at 17 Perth St,
Blairgowrie by Henry William Irvine in 1922.
Despite
having lost a leg in the First World War, Grandfather Irvine worked
long and hard to expand his fledgling business.In the early days
Grandmother Irvine cooked the entire range of cold meats for the
shop in her kitchen. In 1923 a chill-room, smoke-room, store-room,
cook-room and cold-store were all added to the premises.
In
1950 Grandfather Irvine visited Canada and came back brimming
with ideas for his business. The firm was no longer just the "Pork
Butchers", he now offered a wide range of meat products to
his customers. From 1954 a slaughtering licence meant that the
business processed its meat itself, until 1990 when EEC regulations
curtailed that side of the business.
Now-a-days
there is a staff of approximately 20, while the responsibility
of running the efficient running of the shop and factory now rests
with grandson Ronnie and granddaughter Audrey. There is an extensive
wholesale side to the business as well as the popular high street
shop.
