Well-known on the Island as a family business serving customers for more than 37 years, Radcliffes is owned and run by Chris Lennon with the help of his wife Sherrie and their loyal team. Chris began working on Saturdays when he was 12 years old. Back then the business was run by his dad Harry and business partner Ian Radcliffe. Today, Chris, Sherrie, and their experienced staff continue to serve the community by following the family tradition of providing top quality local produce.
The shop in Malew Street is packed with more than 250 products, most of them Manx or made using Manx Produce. They sell fish, bread, eggs, preserves, pies, milk, cheese, fruit and vegetables and of course Isle of Man Meats’ delicious beef, lamb and pork. There is also a wholesale side of the business delivering to some of the finest restaurants and hospitality outlets on the Island.
There’s always lots going on in the shop, so we asked Chris for the latest news.
Q: What have been the most popular products in recent weeks?
A: Our famous sausages are always a huge draw to the shop. We sell around three quarters of a tonne per week but the spell of lovely weather we had recently certainly increased demand and let us roll out our homemade marinated kebas, marinated chicken, and steaks, as well as our amazing burgers and fabulous BBQ favourites.
Q: How did you cope with the lockdowns?
A: The first lockdown was tough for everyone. We had to adapt very quickly to manage the business in a different way and focus our attention on the retail sector because the wholesale business disappeared overnight. We introduced home deliveries and also increased and diversified our product range to better cater for the customers. New produce includes local dairy products, bread, eggs, fruit, veg, and salad as well as artisan cheese and charcuterie. We still continue to offer home deliveries Tuesday to Friday.
Q: Since you began promoting the ‘Make Sure Its Manx’ message in store, have you noticed more interest from customers in buying Manx meat?
A: Yes, definitely. People are more conscious of buying locally produced meat and other products too. The public believe in securing local businesses, they trust local produce, and relate to local farmers, fishermen and suppliers. Also, they want the Island to develop and prosper. We believe the Manx flag on products is associated with quality.
Q: Finally, tells us about the new delicious products you have in store that will make us all feel hungry!
A: Every day we strive to create and invent new and exciting ideas for our local product range. We recently introduced the ‘Radcliffes Exceptional Range’ with products that appeal to the connoisseurs out there. These amazing products include Manx 55-day dry aged sirloin and rib eye steaks! And we recently started to offer hand dressed Manx lobster and crab, monkfish and yellow fin tuna kebabs. Also — and we think this is a first for Castletown and maybe even the Isle Of Man — we’re now selling 5AA Wagyu Beef.
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