GH Porter Provisions Closes It's Doors

Part of our town for over 100 years

Customers of GH Porter Provisions, or Porters as town locally have this morning been met with an annoucement that they have unfortunately and regretfully had to close their doors. 

Part of the market place's landscape since 1980 GH Porter has been a provider of high quality meat and freshly roasted meat for generations. 

Today, Friday 22nd September 2023, Tom Blakemore, owner of GH Porter has posted on his the stores social media page the following message:

++++++GH Porter Provisions is permanently closed++++++

It is with great sadness that I have made the decision to close this wonderful shop. A Newark institution, GH Porter Provisions has traded continuously from the same premises since 1890 and the decisions to close the shop weighs very heavily on me but I feel I have no other options. We have simply run out of money.

Over the past year-or-so, trade has fallen sharply as people adjust their shopping habits in response to the Cost-of-Living Crisis. Footfall has fallen significantly, particularly mid week and a spate of prominent business closures in the town centre only add to the uncertainly. Every business we lose leaves a hole in the high street and removes another reason to come into town. This is true of banks, pubs and shops.

I commend the town council and Newark market for their range of initiatives. The marketplace can be a vibrant and exciting place to visit with art installations, live music and street entertainers together with our vibrant independent shops. It is only with your support that they will continue and multiply.

We are all aware of the huge challenges the country faces and sadly GH Porters is not immune. At one point, our energy bills rose from £600 per month to £3000 and while they have slipped back we are still paying 150% more that we did 18 months ago. Input costs of raw materials such as pork, beef and cheese have risen as much as 60% and we have found it hard to pass these increases on to our customers meaning our margins have been squeeze at a time when other costs are rising too.

We have worked extremely hard to keep pace with changing demand; we have modified our product line-up with the likes of marinated meats, different deli lines and a comprehensive vegan range while remaining true to our heritage of artisanal, hand cured and smoked bacon & hams and a range of meats from local farms. I have launched the business online and we sell a significant amount of bacon via mail order across the whole country from the Highlands of Scotland to Penzance.

However, it is not enough and we have to close. I feel like I have let everyone down, particularly our fantastic suppliers, wonderful staff and loyal customers. I am sorry.

I would like to thank my staff who have worked tirelessly to keep the business afloat. Each and every one of them has gone above and beyond what I could reasonably expect as an employer. They have worked long hours in a physically demanding roll for little more that minimum wage. They have been the face of my business and I am sure people across town will miss them and join me in wishing them well. If anyone can offer them a job, I can provide glowing references and they will be a dedicated and loyal addition to your team.

I would like to thank our loyal and regular customers too. It has been my huge privilege over the years to bear witness to your lives, from bereavement to special occasions like new jobs or new relationships, marriages and births. I keep stickers in the shop to give to the kids, many of whom we have known their whole lives and who love coming in the shop (even though it’s a bit smelly!). I am humbled to have been a small part of your lives as you have been part of my life and will remember you all fondly.

I am hugely proud of what my team and I have achieved while at the shop. I honestly believe without hard work and dedication we would have closed years ago. In particular, I am immensely proud of how we responded to the Covid Pandemic. At a time of great fear and uncertainty, GH Porter Provisions provided a bastion of old fashioned service and support. We pivoted the business to provide a home delivery service across Newark and the surrounding area and we delivered to hundreds of people each week. We recruited a team of volunteer to help meet demand and my team and I worked 18-hour days for months on end to meet demand. Our local supply chains meant we were able to supply produce when the supermarkets all fell over. In addition to our usual range of meats, cheeses and deli items we sourced flour and yeast when no one in the country could get it as well as other daily essentials such as bread and milk working with other local businesses including the Bridge Street News Agents, Turners Bakers and Tuxford Windmill.

I am acutely aware however that perhaps the most significant part of our service was not the food but the human contact we provided. Very often, we would be the only person our customers would meet from week-to-week. We took orders from people all over the world keen for us to visit their relative or friend in Newark, aware that they just needed a friendly face and a chat.

Our longevity has given us a unique position of authority and trustworthiness that I have strived to live up to. I hope I have provided support and encouragement to other businesses and play my part in the town as well as look out for our customers and vulnerable members of the community.

I will miss everyone.

Thank you.

Tom Blakemore

It is another sad day for the town, a damning blow to a one thriving market town, that is trying to get back on its feet. 

Hopefully someone somewhere can save this fine establishment.

Tom also finished his message with the below. 

Do you want to take on GH Porters?

I am desperate to ensure the continuity of the business. I have tried unsuccessfully to sell it but if you, or someone you know would like to take on this wonderful business I can offer you all the equipment, the website, stock and systems for a token payment as well as my advice and support. Please contact the liquidator at nottingham@opusllp.com

The practical stuff:

Suppliers – please contact the liquidator nottingham@opusllp.com

Trade Customers – contact Tom direct.