Celebrated Aldeburgh delicatessen Lawson’s set for rebrand as ‘Slate’ and opens new store in Southwold

Clare Jackson, who owns Lawson's in Aldeburgh with father, John Ormerod, outside the store. (Image: Lawson's)

Lawson’s Delicatessen in Aldeburgh, which was bought by Clare Jackson and father, John Ormerod, in January 2017, will be renamed Slate when it reopens on Saturday, November 25, following a short closure while it is refurbished.

On the same day, the father-and-daughter team is opening up a new Southwold shop, close to Adnam’s Cellar and Kitchen, in time for the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Both shops will feature a ‘wall of cheese’. The launch marks the next chapter for the popular Suffolk delicatessen, said the owners.

“‘Slate’ encapsulates our passion for cheese and the carefully selected range of food and drink which we offer,” said Clare.

Clare Jackson, owner of Lawsons Deli In Aldeburgh. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“We will continue to focus on developing our range of quality British and European cheeses and championing cheese made in East Anglia.

“Both shops will also offer a range of soups, salads, sausage rolls and frozen meals prepared by our chefs, alongside other delicious delicatessen products such as chutneys and preserves.”

John said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new Southwold team including Hannah Gibson, as shop manager, and my son Robert. They will work closely with our friendly Aldeburgh staff, many of whom, including manager Nico De Villiers, have been with us for years.”

To celebrate the launch, cheese on sale will be discounted, and in Southwold, Slate will welcome customers with festive mince pies. Award-winning local cheese-maker, Julie Cheyney, of Bungay, will be offering tastings of her cheese, St Jude, and chatting to customers about how she makes it at the Crickmores’ dairy farm.

Lawsons Deli In Aldeburgh. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Both the Aldeburgh and Southwold stores will be offering Christmas hampers and a range of Christmas products including Sue Allen’s Christmas puddings, mince pies and Suffolk ham.

Richard Lawson and Claire Bruce-Clayton, founders of Lawson’s Delicatessen, handed over the reins to Clare John this year, after 10 years running the shop.

John and Clare, a former accountant and a cheese enthusiast, visited Aldeburgh for more than 30 years before acquiring the store. Clare moved to live near Woodbridge with her husband and young family.

The new Slate brand has been developed by Ipswich-based creative agency, WHAT Associates.

Manager, Nico De Villiers and Owner of Lawsons Deli In Aldeburgh, Clare Jackson. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)