Alden customers get to keep an eye on orders

CUSTOMERS OF Oxfordshire catering butchers Alden can keep a close eye on their orders now that the company allows them to connect to the company's CCTV system to watch preparation, packing and despatch.

The company will also provide photographs of products as well as full labelling and packing instructions. The CCTV and photography offer comes following the extension of Alden's processing unit at Osney Mead Oxford which has just doubled in size to 4,000 sq ft at a cost of nearly £1 million.

Ten new jobs have been created bringing the number of staff to 35 butchers, drivers, a development chef, packers and cleaners. "We believe that this new venture has put us at the forefront of our market where we can compete with major companies, this has to be good for our customers," says managing director Matthew Alden. The new development which opens for business on March 23, includes Meatmaster, a cash and carry which will also be open to the public. Alden's has been supplying colleges, restaurants, hotels and the catering trade for 212 years.

Matthew Alden, who is a seventh generation member of the family of butchers, expects Meatmaster to widen the company's market place. "We will be providing everything, from specialist butchery products to prepared, value-added products, cold meats and cheeses." The company will also supply breads and organic and locally produced meat. Products are fully traceable, said Matthew. Alden's have EFSIS status.

Alden's are accredited by the Rare Breeds Trust and so together with Welsh lamb and Scotch beef the company will supply meat from Longhorn, Belted Galloway and Lincoln Red breeds. The outside catering section offers Oxford Down Lamb and Gloucester Old Spot roasts

Deliveries are daily to Brighton, Bristol and London as well as locally. Matthew says the company takes pride in individual speci?cations for customers there are four standard trim levels for striploin for example.

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