Well known Turriff husband and wife business team, Frank and Carol Henderson have just completed a 12-month redevelopment of their town centre business, formerly known as Turriff Tackle and Trophies, supplying fishing and shooting equipment, clothing and accessories. The business has a brand new name and look and will now be trading as Henderson’s Country Sports.
With support from Aberdeenshire Council’s (SAB) Support for Aberdeenshire Business Scheme which aims to strengthen Aberdeenshire’s economy by encouraging the expansion of local businesses. The scheme places importance on businesses either selling out with the area or attracting business into Aberdeenshire to secure and expand employment the economy of Aberdeenshire.
Douglas Rennie of Aberdeenshire Council comments, “this is an excellent example of how Aberdeenshire Council and the SAB scheme can help support a local business to attract visitors and generate income for the area. Henderson’s Country Sports are to be commended for having the vision and determination to grow their business in a climate where retail, in particular, is challenging and we are delighted to see the opening of the extended premises in Turriff.
With this support and working with Inverurie based Business Consultant, Jackie Allen, the Henderson’s carried out some in depth market research on the leisure and sporting tourism and further encouraged by initiatives, such as Sir Ian Woods’s, One North East, supporting the north east as other key industry sectors wane, took the plunge to extend their business to meet with the changing needs of their existing customers and to attract new clientele to the area.
This project has included extending their retail shop, based in Castle Street, at the roundabout at the entrance to Turriff town centre to keep up with demand for sporting and fishing leisure pursuits, along with the growth on their trophy and gifts and bespoke engraving service, they had truly outgrown their premises.
Frank who is an SCTA qualified shooting instructor and well-known fishing expert and Trustee of the Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust. Along with fellow shooting instructor, David Burgess, also run corporate and private shooting instruction and events and are founders of the Thistle Ladies Shooting Club.
David is a licenced coach with International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), a former Scotland Shooting Team Manager and a Director of Scottish Target Shooting, (STS) the governing body for shooting sports with Sport Scotland with responsibilities including team selection for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Federation.
Frank commented on the new look and progress this year, “we have been in business here in Turriff for 16 years now and, despite the recent downturns in the economy, we firmly believe we have chosen the right time to both reinvent and reinvest in our business. Fishing has been tough in recent years, but in general, sporting tourism and country leisure pursuits fit in really well with the increased attention the north east is looking to attract. We love this part of the world and want to encourage others to come and enjoy its beauty and all it has to offer.”
Henderson’s Country Sports (previously Turriff Tackle and Trophies) has been owned and managed by husband and wife partnership, Carol & Frank Henderson since December, 2001. Based at 6 Castle Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.
Henderson Country Sports are also Salmon Letting Agents on the River Deveron and offer visitor accommodation as well as a range of corporate and sporting activities and events.
Frank Henderson www.fishingthedeveron.co.uk
www.hendersonscountry sports.co.uk
