Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Karen Adam commends innovative eco butcher shop in Fraserburgh
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MSP Karen Adam has marked the opening of Fraserburgh butcher I J McIntosh new shop by lodging a motion in parliament.
The motion commends I J Mcintosh for the innovation that has gone into the new premises to make it the most environmentally sustainable butchers' shop in Scotland.
After four decades in a small corner shop, Ian J Macintosh Butcher opened their custom built premises in November.
Designed to be future proof, the family run enterprise has been managed by Gavin McIntosh since 2017 who says that expanding into a larger premises has been a long time dream of the family's.
Formerly a car dealer's showroom, the new shop has been designed to cater to the modern world and boasting low-CGC refrigeration insulation, low-CFC wall cladding and machines which use recycled packaging as well as various other eco-concious fixtures and fittings.
There are also hopes to add solar panels and an electric delivery vehicle in the future, and produce continues to be locally sourced.
On the new store Mr McIntosh said: “The business was started by my father who worked as a messenger on a butcher’s bike until he began his apprenticeship in 1967.
"He brought his first shop in Fraserburgh in 1982 and after I left school, I joined him in the business.
“It’s always been a dream of ours to expand, but it took a while to find the right shop.
“When we secured our new location, it provided an opportunity to build the shop we’ve always dreamed of.
"As a business, and personally, I’ve wanted to do my bit for sustainability, so the new shop is fitted to be as environmentally friendly as possible.”
Investing in equipment, lights, and fans that are low wattage, refrigeration insulation that is low CGC impact and wall cladding that is low CFC impact has resulted in potentially the ‘greenest’ butcher’s shop in Scotland.
He continued: “Because it’s a large building – approximately 200m2 – we’re in talks with an energy company about putting solar panels on the roof to harness and generate electricity that will not only power the shop, but a future electric vehicle we plan to purchase to make deliveries.
“We continue to source our produce locally and have invested in new machines that use recycled packing.
"This means that our customers purchase products with low food miles, consciously packaged with a focus on helping the planet."
Commenting Ms Adam said: “I’m delighted to see I J McIntosh join the ranks of local businesses that are investing in more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
"Their efforts are exactly what we need in order to do our part in tackling the climate emergency, therefore, lodging this motion and recognising their exemplary efforts is a small token of my appreciation for the outstanding work of this forward thinking business.”
“Buying local is also an important part of being sustainable in our daily lives and for the local economy in the north east.
“The fact that I J McIntosh have plans to further improve the environmental sustainability of their business shows their dedication and should also be commended.”
