Gazette
16 Gazette 21 November 2013
dublinlife
Q&A
Thirty years’ thriving at the cutting edge Declan Cosgrave grew up on a farm in Churchtown, Dublin. He was number four in a family of 12 children. The family had a dairy business and from the age of seven he was up early in the mornings working with his father. These were the days where milk was delivered by horse and cart. By the age of 10 he was working with
his uncle Patrick in Cosgrave Butchers Windy Arbour. At 18 he was managing a butcher shop and by 23 had his own retail butchers. This has now grown to three shops - Omni Park Centre Santry, Ashleaf Centre Crumlin and the latest addition, Cosgraves - the butcher shop Ballybrack Centre, with 30 staff in total.
How long have you been in business?
To grow the “Cosgrave - the butcher shop” brand and to maintain standards.
What makes your business successful?
A combination of things - a quality product, skilled staff, modern premises, keeping up-to-date with the latest food trends and most importantly - providing value and listening to our customers. What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
What is your favorite thing about doing business in your local area?
Getting compliments from my customers. I get great satisfaction and pride knowing we are providing quality.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I asked the late PV Doyle that same question many years ago - his response was: Every day is a good day for business. I have never forgotten that.
We offer a high-end product consistent quality backed by well educated staff. We have simplified home cooking by providing oven ready products - all prepared fresh daily in each of our premises.
What living person do you most admire?
How has the recession affected your business?
What is your favourite Dublin restaurant?
The average spend is lower - we find the customer is more price and value conscious. By listening to what they want we are now busier turning a negative into a positive.
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
I would abolish upward only rent reviews immediately. Also - rates should be a percentage of turnover.
What is your ambition for the business?
rewards
Airtricity teaming up with Apple Green
Declan Cosgrave, owner
I am 30 years in business, though Cosgrave Butchers go back to the early 1900s.
business
My mother, Doreen, getting younger by the year.
Howard’s Way Churchtown, great food, great service.
Who would your three dream dinner guests be and why?
Neven Maguire - always in great form. Harry Crosbie - a man of vision. Elon Musk - entrepreneur, inventor and business magnate, need I say more?
What is your most treasured possession?
My 1932 Ford Model B delivery van.
Airtricity, Ireland’s second largest energy provider, has teamed up with forecourt retailer Applegreen to launch a limited time offer that gives Airtricity customers an exclusive opportunity to use their Applegreen Rewards points to get money off their Airtricity bills. Customers can accumulate points by using theirApplegreen Rewards card with each purchase they make at any participating Applegreen Rewards location when buying either fuel or instore products. Customers will get one Applegreen Reward point for every litre of fuel bought or four points for every €1 in store. They can then go online to redeem their points against their Airtricity bill. For a limited time only, 1,000 Applegreen Rewards points will give customers €10 off their next Airtricity bill. Welcoming the new partnership, Airtricity head of marketing Annabel Tonge said: “At Airtricity, we’re always looking for creative ways to do more for our customers. Our ‘Bill Saver’ promotion with Applegreen Rewards aims to make living more affordable for our customers as they will be able to convert their Applegreen points into money off their Airtricity bill. “As innovative companies, Airtricity and Applegreen have both encouraged new thinking in their industries to give their customers better value and experiences. The launch of this partnership is another exciting opportunity for both brands and we look forward to working with Applegreen.”