A Norwich butcher has been bought out by a local abattoir with the aim of increasing meat traceability in the region.

Eastern Daily Press: H G Blake has purchased Roofe Catering. Picture: Anthony WardH G Blake has purchased Roofe Catering. Picture: Anthony Ward (Image: Anthony Ward)

HG Blake is hoping its purchase of Roofe Catering Butchers in Norwich will give them an edge in the market as the business can trace produce from the field right the way through to meals in care homes or hospitals.

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Scott Roofe, operations manager Roofe Catering Butchers, said: "We understand the importance of traceability to our customers in all of our products, which is why with the backing of HG Blake's abattoir we will now be able to control and monitor the entire process from farm to kitchen."

HG Blake managing director Andrew Clarke added: "HG Blake's founder Hilton Blake was in the meat business from the 1950s. Buying the butcher just seemed like a natural progression.

"We've got systems in place which mean all of out produce is independently labelled and we can trace each carcass back to which farm it came from. Traceability is something which customers are becoming increasingly conscious of."

Staff head count at HG Blake currently totals 65 people, with a further 25 now on board as a result of the purchase.

HG Blake currently has a turnover forecast at £30m, with targets for the new butchery subsidiary yet to be set.

The pair will now team up to continue to supply organisations such as schools and hospitals across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and Lincolnshire.