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26 Front Street,
Framwellgate Moor
Tel: 0191 386 2474
19 Church Street,
Coxhoe
Tel: 0191 377 2613
Overview
The year 2005 represents a major milestone in the history of Durham butchers H Coates & Son - it's the landmark 40th anniversary of the business.
Coates has grown to become one of the region's best-known and most successful traditional family butchers since being established in 1965 by Harry Coates Snr and his wife Eva, who opened their first shop in Trimdon on the edge of the village green.
The couple's son and current owner Harry Coates Jnr, who first joined the business full-time in 1982 and has since spearheaded its continuing expansion, takes up the story.
He explains:
"The business grew rapidly due to my father's desire to use only the best quality local stock and also - in no small part - the overwhelming quality and appeal of my mother's home-baked pies and pasties! She received valuable assistance with the recipes from her sister-in-law Mary Smith, from Ushaw Moor, who worked in the bakery for many years. As trade in Trimdon grew, H Coates & Son's products also became renowned throughout the Durham area through an ever-expanding network of van rounds taking them direct to people's doors."
The second shop in Coxhoe was opened in 1984 and in 1996 the ongoing quest for enhanced quality and hygiene standards received a major boost when the business was accepted as a member of the prestigious Guild of Q Butchers, a leading national body of over 200 independent butchers and meat retailers, committed to offering top quality meat and meat-related products, with customer service to match.
High standards of hygiene, food safety and risk assessment are essential criteria for membership, with rigorous independent inspections carried out annually at all member shops.
In May 2000, the Trimdon shop was relocated to Church Road, which signalled the retirement of Harry and Eva Coates. Harry Snr died soon afterwards.
The Coxhoe shop underwent a major refurbishment programme in 2000, including expansion of the first floor bakery to meet growing customer demand for hot food products such as pies and ready-meals.
At the same time, having successfully experimented with products from Scotch Premier Meat, H Coates & Son decided to source all its beef from this Scottish centre of excellence, along with Highland lamb and pork. The relationship has continued to flourish.
In July, 2002, the search for new premises on the north side of Durham was realised with the opening of a third flagship shop at Framwellgate Moor, also headquarters of the meat preparation, sausage-making and distribution unit.
The year 2005 represents a major milestone in the history of Durham butchers H Coates & Son - it's the landmark 40th anniversary of the business.
Coates has grown to become one of the region's best-known and most successful traditional family butchers since being established in 1965 by Harry Coates Snr and his wife Eva, who opened their first shop in Trimdon on the edge of the village green.
The couple's son and current owner Harry Coates Jnr, who first joined the business full-time in 1982 and has since spearheaded its continuing expansion, takes up the story.
He explains:
"The business grew rapidly due to my father's desire to use only the best quality local stock and also - in no small part - the overwhelming quality and appeal of my mother's home-baked pies and pasties! She received valuable assistance with the recipes from her sister-in-law Mary Smith, from Ushaw Moor, who worked in the bakery for many years. As trade in Trimdon grew, H Coates & Son's products also became renowned throughout the Durham area through an ever-expanding network of van rounds taking them direct to people's doors."
The second shop in Coxhoe was opened in 1984 and in 1996 the ongoing quest for enhanced quality and hygiene standards received a major boost when the business was accepted as a member of the prestigious Guild of Q Butchers, a leading national body of over 200 independent butchers and meat retailers, committed to offering top quality meat and meat-related products, with customer service to match.
High standards of hygiene, food safety and risk assessment are essential criteria for membership, with rigorous independent inspections carried out annually at all member shops.
In May 2000, the Trimdon shop was relocated to Church Road, which signalled the retirement of Harry and Eva Coates. Harry Snr died soon afterwards.
The Coxhoe shop underwent a major refurbishment programme in 2000, including expansion of the first floor bakery to meet growing customer demand for hot food products such as pies and ready-meals.
At the same time, having successfully experimented with products from Scotch Premier Meat, H Coates & Son decided to source all its beef from this Scottish centre of excellence, along with Highland lamb and pork. The relationship has continued to flourish.
In July, 2002, the search for new premises on the north side of Durham was realised with the opening of a third flagship shop at Framwellgate Moor, also headquarters of the meat preparation, sausage-making and distribution unit.
© Copyright 2005 H Coates & Son