A REDDITCH butcher is officially a cut above the rest after receiving a top Midlands award for his work.
Pete the Meat, based in Astwood Bank, has been named the joint Midlands winner in the Butcher category of the Countryside Alliance Awards, a contest known as the ‘Rural Oscars’ which celebrate businesses and groups working hard to keep rural life thriving.
The competition, which is based on customer recommendations, received over 7,500 nominations across five categories and business owner Pete Lawton said: “We are so chuffed – since we found out, I can’t stop smiling.
“Of course, it’s not just about me – everyone in the team plays their part and we wouldn’t be here without their dedication and passion for the business.
“As we’d already won before, I actually didn’t think we stood much chance of taking the title again, but I’m so pleased that we did. It’s a great accolade and really fantastic to have our work within the community recognised.”
The Astwood Bank butcher has been a familiar fixture in Redditch for many years and is now in contention to win the national award after beating other butchers in the high stakes competition.
The judges commended excellent customer service and charitable work at the high street favourite and the top butcher added: “We’d like to thank all of our loyal customers for nominating us, and helping us win this regional award – We all feel over the moon.”
Sara Rutherford, CA Regional Director for the Midlands, said: “Pete is a real local character who absolutely typifies the great British butcher.
“Pete and his team are exceptionally welcoming to customers and are as friendly as they are knowledgeable about the produce they sell.
“Pete sources his meat and other produce from local suppliers whenever he can, and his meat and other produce is so good his reputation has spread, ensuring that people travel from miles away to his shop.
“Pete’s enthusiasm for good food is inspiring new generations to discover the joy and taste of home cooked food and that is something worth celebrating.”
Pete the Meat were crowned joint top butchers in the Midlands with Clarkes of Queniborough, based in Leicestershire.
Visit http://www.countryside-alliance.org/ to find out more.
