Haigs Food Hall crowned Scotland’s Best Food Retailer

Q Guild member Haigs Food Hall in Aberdeen was crowned 2016 Best Food Retailer at the Scotlands Business Awards Grand Final in Edinburgh.

Having already won Best Aberdeenshire Food Retailer 2016 earlier in the year, Haigs, owned and run by husband and wife James and Julie Haig, joined over 400 finalists from across Scotland in the capital. All had been nominated by the public, having had to progress through two rounds of public voting, plus two mystery shopper tests, to reach the grand final.

Haigs was established as a small butchery in 2007 and relocated to Aberdeen, where the owners hail from, in 2012. After an extensive refit, Haigs Food Hall was opened in Aberdeen city centre in April the same year.

James Haig has over 29 years experience in the food industry. He is a former Scottish Young Butcher of the Year, later becoming involved in senior butchery management, including building the biggest organic food chain in the UK. He also managed a Q Guild shop in London.

While Haigs has won multiple awards since its formation – it has also been highly commended by Gary Rhodes in his search for local food heroes – the Best in Scotland accolade was that little bit extra special.

Julie Haig said: `We are absolutely delighted to have won Scotland`s Best Retailer, as it is our customers who nominate and vote for us. This makes a massive difference and means so much to us, as we are very customer driven and focused.

`We believe it is so important to try to constantly deliver a first-class customer service and experience that is different to the supermarkets. We always try to include our customers. We ask them for ideas and what they want. This ethos is central to our whole business.

`We have 20 staff who will all go out of their way to engage with our customers. We know each and every one of them personally. We feel this is ground-breaking in a city centre. Our customers keep congratulating us on this latest success. It makes us feel really, really special.`

The annual Scotlands Business Awards, which celebrate the work of small independent and family businesses, are run by Premier Business Services.

Q Guild manager Gordon Newlands said: `Yet again, a Q Guild member has won a highly prestigious award. To be voted the Best Retailer in Scotland is no mean feat and we warmly congratulate Haigs Food Hall on this glowing accolade.`