The Best Traditional Business in the South of England
| Published: 19th March 2008 14:17 |
After winning the Best Traditional Business in the South of England award, as part of the Countryside Alliance Best Rural Retailer Competition, I spoke to Mark Coales about the family business and winning the award and this is what he told me:
"The Coales family moved to Twywell in 1910. My great great grandfather, Henry Coales, was an apprentice in a butchers shop in Thrapston and H & J Coales, brothers Henry and Jack, was then established in Twywell. The name has changed four times up to the present day, currently F E Coales - my dad's initials."
Mark's father Frank, mother Marilyn, sister Sarah and cousins Adam and Emily all work at the butchers, in Twywell, with Mark. Frank began working in the family business full time when he was 15 years old and was only 19, when his father passed away, he took over the reigns. Frank still regards it as a rewarding job and it is ever changing.
From left: Frank, Sarah, Mark and Marilyn Coales
"We first heard about the nomination for the award when we were contacted by the Countryside Alliance and were told that we'd been nominated for the Best Traditional Business in the South of England. We were very, very pleased as we hadn't entered the competition ourselves but had been nominated anonymously by customers and were unaware until the Countryside Alliance contacted us."
Mark said they were surprised to win the regional award and although they didn't win the national award, to be nominated and voted for by loyal customers to win the South of England award was fantastic.
"There was a presentation of the award at The House of Lords but unfortunately none of the family was able to attend due to work commitments!" - that's dedication!
You can find F E Coales and Son butchers shop at The Gables, Twywell, NN14 3AH.
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T. Palmer
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