Southern Enterprise Awards 2021

91 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 Family business, Pak Butchers, has been trading for almost 3 decades. Based in the South West, the company has 4 shops in Bristol and another in Cardiff as well as an online store serving the local area. Founder Abdul Raoof Malik lets us in on the secrets of Pak’s success. Specialists in Halal meat and poultry, Pak Butchers is a pioneer in its field. The forward-thinking chain is headed up by Abdul Raoof Malik. As well as being the founder and CEO of Pak Butchers, Abdul has been widely recognised for his role in the community. Having won a string of prestigious awards, including Bristol Businessperson of the Year, Abdul volunteers as a magistrate and school governor and is chairperson of his local mosque. But life was not always easy for Abdul. As a child, he experienced deprivation first-hand. Abdul left school with no qualifications but was determined to break his family out of the never- ending cycle of poverty. The family put their faith, and what little money they had, into his ability. And, at the tender age of 17, he used the skills he had learnt from a part-time job to open his first Halal butcher’s shop. An astute learner, Abdul introduced high-level marketing and sales techniques into his business early on. The company quickly gained a loyal customer base and has continued to go from strength to strength ever since. Understanding the challenges faced by high street businesses, Pak Butchers has equipped its shops with modern ultra-hygienic fittings. The appealing atmosphere, combined with skilled and friendly staff inspires confidence and ensures an exceptional customer experience. Abdul tells us: “Pak Butchers not only caters for the whole community, it cares for its clients like they are our family members.” The COVID pandemic posed serious challenges for the company. Pak Butchers has always Halal Butchery Enterprise of the Year - South West Aug21619 supported local causes, so, rather than addressing its own needs first, the company looked to help those who were most vulnerable. Donating food packages and vouchers on a weekly basis ensured that those in need in the community didn’t go hungry. To make sure that they could continue to trade and serve the local community, Pak Butchers launched its online store and app which has been very well received: “The response has been amazing. Going forward this will allow us to maintain an exceptional business model.” As well as contributing to good causes, Abdul is passionate about providing job opportunities for members of the local community. Pak Butchers has made a commitment to recruit its employees from the local area. Abdul Raoof takes on individuals who, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty finding employment elsewhere. He tells us: “Our training has to be on point. There’s a lot of extra work involved in taking someone on who doesn’t have the necessary skills or experience. But the satisfaction of seeing the end results makes it all worth it.” Looking to the future Abdul believes that strengthening presence in the high street is essential for retailers. He continues to provide support and guidance to local people and the trading community via his membership in many trading associations and community programmes across the region. Pleased to see further support provided by central government, Abdul hopes that hardworking businesses such as Pak Butchers will see a return to growth and profitability very soon. Contact: Abdul Raoof Malik Web Address: www.pakbutchers.co.uk