Leamington Spa butcher’s shop voted the best in the country
The annual Butcher’s Shop the Year awards have just been held, and a retailer based in the Midlands has walked away with the top prize.
Aubrey Allen is a 3rd generation family butchers based in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire first of all successfully defended their title as the favourite butcher’s in the Midlands and the east of England before beating off some very stiff competition to claim the much sought after national prize, which is backed by the Meat Trades Journal.
The shop has received this recognition for the outstanding quality of both meat and service, which is a celebration of the best butcher’s shops right across the UK.
This adds a further claim to fame for the Aubrey Allen company, which also retails online and supplies some of the UK’s top chefs, including Raymond Blanc and Alain Roux, from its Coventry-based headquarters.
A delighted Russell Allen, managing director of Aubrey Allen said: “We are all just so thrilled to win what is the most coveted award in our industry, I think it’s the greatest accolade you can have. It’s really nice to be recognised by your peers, which is what this award is all about. We have always strived for quality since being established by my Grandfather in 1933 and this ultimate tribute is testimony to all the hard work over nearly 80 years and our continued loyal customer support from around the UK. This award will give people more confidence to buy from Aubrey Allen as they will now officially be buying from the best.”
According to Meat Trades Journal, Aubrey Allen, which specialises in restaurant quality meats, wowed the judges with its overall value for money offer, while they were also impressed with its thriving lunchtime, hot food service and special ‘Dinner Party Packs’ that provide a three-course meal at home.
The judges described Aubrey Allen as a “fully mature business that shouts top restaurant-standard quality, but maintains good value” and commended the enthusiasm and sheer determination of the staff. As well as completing a “stunning” refit and increasing sales by 12% over the last 12 months, the business has recently embarked on a Customer Butchery School that teaches various craft and cookery skills.
Meat Trades Journal Editor Ed Bedington said: “The Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards are renowned as the premier awards for the UK butchery sector, recognising excellence in craft butchery. By winning the overall top award, Aubrey Allen enters an exclusive group that represents the crème de la crème of British butchery.”
