BARBECUE BOOST…Shane Stewart, of Stewart’s Butchers
SUNNY days are few and far between in County Fermanagh, but, it appears we could be getting a few this week – and one local butcher is hoping for a ‘barbecue boost’.
Shane Stewart, of Stewart’s Family Butchers in Enniskillen noted this week that his most popular items are ‘still the traditional items’ – burgers and sausages – but the well-known Church Street store has found an increase in marinated products in recent years.
“We have to keep an eye on the weather so we know what we’re going to sell,” Shane explained.
“We check the weather forecast every day because I have to order in the items that we need.
“The weather gets into the psyche, even if we’ve one or two good days – people have the equipment so they’re going to use it.”
The busiest time for butchers may traditionally be the Christmas turkey rush, but, as Shane expalined, barbecue time offers a ‘great boost’.
“Years ago in our business you could nearly have closed up on a good day, but it’s turning into a bit of a barbecue culture here in Fermanagh,” he mused.
“And it does be hectic. It takes a lot longer to serve a customer for a barbecue because they’re buying two or three pieces of different items, rather than coming in and buying a big lump of a roast.”
He concluded: “There’s a good buzz. I think when people have a barbecue, it’s not really an evening meal as such, it’s more of a party atmosphere.”
And as for his recommendations?
“I’d say kebabs – but you can’t go wrong with burgers or a wee bit of steak.”
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