Dicksons plans to open 14 new shops after turnover hits £12million

Bosses at Dicksons butchers, which opened its first shop in South Shields back in 1953 and has its headquarters in the town, are aiming for a bigger slice of the retail pie after a surge in profits.

The company has set its sights on bolstering its number of shops from 26 to 40 in the next three years after its latest accounts showed turnover had swelled by 12.74% to nearly £12million, leading to operating profits rising by 14.5%.

The family-run business already employs over 250 people but could be in line to increase its workforce.

Dicksons sells a range of meat products - including its famed Savaloy Dip – at branches throughout the North East and at supermarkets.

Managing Director Michael Dickson says 2016 will be a year of ‘change’ for the enterprising company.

He said: “It has been a very positive year for Dicksons across the business as a whole.

“We have focused on broadening our reach to new areas in 2015 with the opening of a new shop in Peterlee to expand the Dicksons brand further south into the region.

“In addition, we have opened new shops in Battle Hill and Pelaw with plans to further increase our retail network over the next 12 months.

“2016 will be a year of real change for Dicksons as we push forward with ambitious plans within our shops and factory but we are very confident that there continues to be a growing market for the Dicksons range of quality products from both our retail and wholesale customers.”