CUSTOMER loyalty, great staff and quality produce is the secret behind Taylor Made’s two decades of success in Trowbridge according to managing director Chris Taylor.

The family butcher was previously based in The Shires but closed due to rising rents at the start of the year.

Demand for fresh produce was still strong, though, so Mr Taylor decided to open an outlet shop at the firm’s Hilperton base where loyal customers can purchase quality meats at discount prices.

First founded by Mr Taylor in 1997 when he was just 29, the business has expanded with the opening of Wiltshire Bacon – something that has helped spread the Taylor Made name both in the county and further afield.

“It is brilliant to be able to open again and we hope that people who shopped with us at The Shires will come here,” he said.

“It was the customers coming here, knocking on the door and picking up the phone that made me want to get back into retail.

“We are lucky that we have our customers and there was nothing else whatsoever that made me want to start up again and that is why we have pushed on and we are lucky that we have our customers.”

Over the past 20 years Mr Taylor has broadened his range of produce and the Hilperton outlet shop now offers customers fresh and frozen meats, eggs and ready meals.

He added: “Things have changed over the past 20 years but other things have stayed the same.

“Our customers still want fresh UK produce and that is what they get.

“Of course Trowbridge want it at a cheaper price and that is our market really.

“If you think about what we survived in The Shires with all the supermarket giants coming in which has been colossal – that is an absolute testament to the dedication of our staff and customers.

“It is the staff who have kept me going and that is another reason why I decided to open up again. When we closed in The Shires, they remained optimistic because starting any business you think about customer loyalty and it is down to the staff and produce that has seen our customers stay loyal to us.”

For more information visit www.wiltshirebacon.com.