Renfrew butcher shop reopens in honour of its previous owner

Hugh McWhinnie who owned a store on Fulbar Street in Renfrew had to close it in January after being diagnosed with cancer.

The butcher shop had been in his family for four generations and now has been sold to a family business that will keep the store named after him.

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Hugh McWhinnie butchers was able to re-open on May 15, and new owner Sean Lavery says he has already welcomed hundreds of customers.

Sean, from Pollok, works with his wife Annette but wants to be able to take on an apprentice in the shop soon - inspired by his own career which started at the age of 16.

Having been a butcher for more than 35 years, this is his first venture in owning a shop and he says Hugh has helped him along the way.

The 52-year-old says he wanted to honour Hugh by naming the store after him.

He said: “We wanted to keep the name because he's been in the community that long, and everybody comes and talks about him. He’s a great guy.”

Many of Hugh's certificates will now be placed in frames and displayed on a shelf by the counter for customers to see.

Sean has also praised the community saying they have supported his opening.

He said: “I get the same question every day - I hope you have sausages as good as Hugh's. So far, a couple of people have said I have nailed it.

"I’ve always wanted to own my shop, I just thought I should go for it.

“We had a woman who gave us her number so we could let her know when we opened up and she came in yesterday - it's been great."

Sean thanked his son and daughters for all their help in opening the store.