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N E W S L E T T E R

SPRING2017

The last 9 months of trade have been hard for both sectors of thebusiness, not helped by the continuous increase in cost of raw materials. However, the senior team are driving some good efficiency improvementprojects as well as challenging suppliers on their costs.

Despite the challenges, we’ll continue to invest in our retail estate (we’re currently reviewing 2 possible new sites) as well as our factory inorder to support our ambitious growth plans.

The investments we made to the factory were recognised in being shortlisted in this year’s North East business awards for manufacturing.

Business Update

Shop 29 at Fewster Squareopened its doors in December.

Retail News

In order to improve communication on our charity fund, we have set up an email address thedicksonfund@midickson.co.uk. All requests come through to Laura Denning or Elena Dickson.

You’ll be receiving some flyers over the coming weeks to help communicate this to your local communities. Remember you can also offer discount on product purchased for charitable events, please revisit the procedure you’ve all received. Over the last few months we have provided sponsorship for local junior footballteams and supported St Clares Hospice for their rainbow dash fun run.

Charity

We also have a new addition to theDickson family, Mike Dickson and partner Diksha had a beautiful baby girl in December called Ada Marisa.

Not sure many of you know but Elena and Martin got engaged in January! The proposal took place in Chamonix, their favourite ski resort, in their favourite bar...the Chambre Neuf. Martin had organised with the band to play “Marry You” by Bruno Mars and Elena was completely shocked (and somewhat embarrassed given the bar was packed!). In her words, she ‘didn’t know Martin could be so romantic!!’ Congratulations to them both!

“It’s missed the labels again!” (says Lillian)

Our South Tyneside shops are supporting the local football club, South Shields, who have made it to the final FA Vase at Wembley on 21st May against Cleethorpes Town. Look out for the good luck messages on their windows.Customers who have a ticket have the chance to enter a match day competition – check out our social media pages to find out more.

New packaging is now in use on our family and mini pies in the supermarkets.

Wholesale

Over the next couple of months we’ll be introducing some new products into the national retailers. Asda will start re-selling our Lincolnshire style sausage as well as our newChicken & Gravy Family pie and two of our new deep fill pie range: Steak & Ale, Chicken,Ham & Leek. Morrisons will also stock three of our new deep fill pie range: Steak & Ale,Chicken, Ham & Leek andChicken & Gravy, as well as the Chicken & Gravy Family pie.

We’re also currently working very closelywith two foodservice businesses.Watch this space…..

Good Luck to Shields!

New FacesOver the last couple of months, we’ve welcomed some new faces into the factory; Chris Devlin joins us from Greencore as Meat Production manager; Gordon Metcalf joins the Technical Team from Kerry Foods. We’ve also welcomed Claire Rogers (purchase ledger) and Caroline Codling(payroll) into the office.We would also like to welcome Andy Carr, our new Financial Controller. AndyCaroline Claire

Chris Gordon

We have also purchaseda small café in North Shields called JJ’s. This café serves home-style cooked meals as well as coffees, cakes and other delights. So if you’re in the area, why not pop in and introduce yourself to the team at JJ’s.

We welcome the whole team to Dicksons

New Café

(Graham’s really ge�ing into his coffee making!)

Within our stores, we’ve relaunched cold sandwiches andseen a very positive response in sales. We’ve also introduced a new mix and match deal of 3 packs for £7 or 5 for £12 across our whole range of fresh meat. This deal includes mince, chicken, sausages, bacon, steaks…..we think it’s a great offer! And don’t our new menu boards look great!

To our Byker shop who havebeen open 30 years this year!

Happy Birthday!