Cotswold MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, attended a Countryside Alliance awards ceremony last Wednesday (30 March) where a local butcher, Jesse Smiths of Tetbury, were announced as the Wessex winner in the Butcher Award category.

Butcher John Newman was given special praise in nominations for his friendliness, outstanding product knowledge and his ability to “make his customers feel special”. This customer service commitment, coupled with first class local meat, is what this butcher shop is all about.

A passion for locally sourced meat, poultry and game is at the core of the business – very often a customer can meet the farmer of the product they are buying in the shop.

These butchers are now in their bicentennial year, proof alone that despite the ease of supermarket shopping, their traditional business has stood the test of time, and is very much appreciated by the local community. They have raised £9,000 over the last few years for a wide variety of local organisations and provide the meat for the annual Countryside Alliance Gloucestershire Ribeye Clay Shoot.

Commenting on the award Mr Clifton-Brown said:

“I am delighted that a butcher from my constituency has won this award. This local butcher is everything a family butcher should be and much more.”

“The supply and purchase of local produce is a vital part of the local economy and Jesse Smiths Butcher Shops fully encapsulate this approach.”

“Despite increased competition Jesse Smiths have continued to supply high quality products. This, coupled with excellent customer service, is something that the supermarkets cannot provide. I wish John and his colleagues all the best for the future, I am sure they will continue to thrive, and I look forward to visiting Jesse Smiths in the very near future.”

“They are about to diversify further into homemade pies and I also look forward to seeing how this venture goes.”

Photo: (Left to right) Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP; John Newman; Richard Hawes; and James Hudson.