Butcher Peter Rogers is gaining a reputation for being “a cut above the rest” after his recently opened shop was given a boost by funding from Advantage West Midlands’ Rural Regeneration Zone.
Peter, aged 46, opened “The Cutting Block” at The Hop Pocket “shopping village” at Bishops Frome, Herefordshire, in June. Now he has a bulging order book after word spread he was stocking the highest quality meats sourced from local farms.
DIY enthusiast Peter – who spent six months single-handedly completing the painting, tiling and other renovation work at the shop prior to its opening – received an added bonus after being awarded a £3,000 Nexus grant from the Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ). The cash has made a vital contribution to the development of the business by paying for building materials, signage, a display cabinet and a set of weighing scales.
“The Cutting Block” is a typical traditional butcher’s shop and is developing a strong reputation among the local rural community for its commitment to supporting county farmers. For Peter – who has 25 years experience as a butcher working in other roles - it has become “a labour of love” as he put around £15,000 of his own money into the enterprise and received no income while doing the bulk of the building work over six months.
Matt Smith, Partnerships Manager at the RRZ, said: “The Cutting Block has many fine qualities, not least its commitment to stocking locally farmed meats. The RRZ is delighted to support a business which is becoming a focal point of the local community and providing a professional and much valued service. As Peter’s shop becomes better known he is finding new customers are travelling from quite a distance.
Nexus, a grant programme offering up to £5,000 per project, is designed to improve access to services and facilities in communities within the RRZ, which covers Herefordshire, much ofShropshire, as well as wards withinWyreForestandMalvern Hillsin Worcestershire.
It is administered by Malvern-based Community First, a registered charity which aims to build better local communities by advising, informing and supporting community groups and voluntary organisations.
Sophie Mead, Grants Administration Officer for Community First, said: “Peter put in months of hard toil to get the shop ready and the local community is clearly benefiting from being able to shop at a fine butcher’s shop. He is committed to supporting local suppliers and providing a full range of meats of a very high calibre.”
Peter, fromUpper Sapey, nearWorcester, said: “I guarantee quality. We only sell British meat which is mostly boughtdirect from local farms. I am supported well by local businesses which buy from me, and next month I will be starting a delivery trade. If the business continues to grow I hope to take on an additional butcher in the next few months.
“I am the only butcher operating in a nine mile radius, and I am committed to selling only the finest cuts of local meat. All the beef hangs for 21 days and all the sausages and burgers are freshly prepared.
“Where possible all meat available at The Cutting Block is locally sourced to ensure quality and traceability of the product back to its grass roots throughout Herefordshire.”