From baker to butcher: New business opens in Kirkcaldy

Kevin McArthur is renting the former Carlton Baker’s shop in Dunearn Drive in Templehall and is transforming it into a butcher’s.

Kevin, who is from the town, is launching his own business, McArthur’s Butchers today and is looking forward to serving the local community.

He explained how it came about: “I was speaking to Eddie Melville when the opportunity to open my own butcher’s shop came up,” he said.

“Eddie bought the former Carlton Baker’s shop and told me that Templehall needed a butcher’s shop so he offered to rent it out to me. He said it would be a great business opportunity.

“I have been working in various butcher’s shops over the years so I thought now was the right time to open my own place.

“I worked in the Puddledub butcher’s shop in Kirkcaldy High Street for around five years, preparing meats and serving customers.

“I first started working in Hepburns (butcher) in Valley Gardens on a Saturday and after school when I was 13. After I finished Kirkcaldy High School, I went back to work for them and was there for 18 years.

“I worked up in Perth in a butcher’s shop twice but ended up coming back to Kirkcaldy to work in Puddledub but finished up there a few weeks ago.”

Kevin (42) said the opportunity to have his own shop came about earlier this year and for the past few weeks he has been busy transforming the inside of the premises into a butcher’s shop.

He said: “There was quite a bit of paperwork to sort out and now I am looking forward to getting started.

"I might be creating one or two jobs as time goes on but I want to just find my feet first.

“There used to be a couple of other butcher’s shop in Templehall and there is a lot of footfall in the area so I think the shop will do well as it is very busy.”

Kevin said he will be selling all kinds of meat including chicken, beef, pork and lamb as well as meat packs.”

He added: “I am looking forward to a new challenge.”

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