Nolans gets export licence

When the Minister for Agriculture, Food & Tourism visited Nolan's Butchers recently, his official reason was to hand over an export licence to the business, founded by James Nolan's great-grandfather.



But as far as James Nolan himself was concerned, it was an affirmation by the Minister that small businesses are the backbone of the country, and a welcome acknowledgement of that fact.

"It is important that Minister Brendan Smith should be seen to be supporting small businesses in these very very hard times," James Nolan said. "It is small businesses that are keeping the country going at the moment, and we're really chuffed that the Minister came to see what we do. It's a real feather in our cap, and and acknowledgement of the standards that we have, and of the enormous contribution of our staff over the years."

Of course, Nolans might be a bit more than your typical small business, having grown from its small stall beginnings to a 28,000 sq ft complex with an award-winning retail store, an abbatoir, boning hall and curing facility, and all the required ancillary services.

During his visit, the Minister was given detailed demonstrations of the work that goes on in every aspect of the operation.

"The achievement of the export licence reflects that we have reached the highest possible standard,” James says. “The intention was that when we made the investment we would get the highest possible licence, and this is it.”

James is particularly happy for his father Andy, who built up the business over many years, having taken over from his own father. “It has come a long way since the beef was hung out on the street in Kilcullen, and there was no refrigeration and the cattle were herded down the street.”

That said, he makes the point that while things have improved enormously, the business has kept the ‘old fashioned values’. “We still hang our beef the old way, and we’ve retained our old traditional recipes for making puddings and other award winning products.”

The fact that they’re doing something right can easily be shown in the fantastic customer loyalty which Nolans enjoy. And last November, the business won the FBD Retail Excellence Ireland Awards in the Best Large Store category.

"James Nolan has demonstrated a huge confidence in the future of his own business, and indeed of the craft butcher in general with this investment," the Chief Executive of the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, Pat Brady, said. "It also confirms the preference of many consumers for a very short 'farm to fork' chain, which is good for quality food, local employment and the environment."

The Minister was accompanied by local TD and Junior Minister Sean Power. They are pictured above with James (on right).