McWhinney’s sausages have been on the menu at Henleys of Wivenhoe for 20 years where it now sells up to 1,000 a week
Tucked away on a housing estate in Wivenhoe, Essex, Henleys of Wivenhoe is far from your average chippy. From its wet fish counter where customers can choose their own fillet, to holding the world record for the fastest-cooked portion of chips – just three minutes and 40 seconds, back in 2007 – it’s a shop that enjoys doing things differently.
Owner David Henley has owned the takeaway for over 30 years and in his pursuit of quality has been serving McWhinney’s Gold sausages for over 20 years.
David explains: “Back then, catering sausages had a bad reputation, to be honest. They were always splitting and shrinking and you were never sure what was in some of them. So trying to find a good quality sausage was hard. We tried them all, and just really weren’t happy with them.”
The turning point came at a trade show, which David remembers it well as it was the same time McWhinney’s was running an advertising campaign in Times Square in New York! “McWhinney’s sent us samples of its Gold sausages, and they were absolutely amazing. We’ve been using them ever since and our customers keep coming back,” says David.
Another of McWhinney’s products that customers come back for is its gluten free sausage. David adds: “It’s another product that sets the standard for the industry. We did a taste test with our customers and they could not tell the difference – firm, meaty and very succulent.”
David says quality has always been central to Henleys offering, commenting: “When you’re running a busy shop, the last thing you want is poor quality sausages. I can honestly say, we’ve never had a problem with having to return a box. They spend so much time and detail with their production that the product always arrives in extremely good condition.”
Price-wise, McWhinney’s may cost a little bit more, but it pays dividends as Henley’s sells close to 1,000 sausages a week. David adds: “With the price of fish increasing, we have to look at products like sausages that have a higher profit margin. We’re looking at £10 for fish and chips, but we can do sausage and chips quite easily for £4.50 at lunchtime, or £5 with a can of drink, which appeals to the customer.”
It’s not just the product that David has been impressed by, but the people behind the business. “McWhinney’s put their hands in their pockets to support our industry. They’re always sponsoring events like the National Fish & Chip Awards or the Isle of Ely Day. Scott, the MD, even put on the Bigfoot costume at the Isle of Ely day last year – it must have been nearly 90°F!”
David also praises McWhinney’s support of its charity work, adding: “We’ve donated food to Beacon House, a local homeless charity, for over a year now. We do sausages and chips for 40 staff and clients every other Monday, and McWhinney’s always helps us out. Although they are based in Ireland, it’s still a very personal touch you get, like you’d get from a local supplier.”
McWhinneys 028 9127 1811 www.mcwhinneys.com
