We have finally opened our new Farm Butchers in North Somercotes. About a year ago we started the long process of bringing a butchers back to North Somercotes. We converted one of our barnes into a shop, butchery and are in the process of building a bakery, which we hope to have open in the next couple of months.
The Butchery
We started out with a rather cluttered barn full of things left by the previous owner which we first had to empty before any building work could happen.
The first thing Iain went about building was the butchery and building the cold rooms. Iain built a stud work framed room a isolated it to keep the room warm in winter and cool in summer.
The cold rooms which would hold all the meat were bought locally. As they hadn’t been used in some time Ian had to spend quite a bit of time straightening out panels and relining the interiors with a food grade finish.
Next was lining the butchery with a plastic hygienic cladding that could be easily kept clean even with a jet wash.
The New Shop
The next think was to get the electrics, lighting and plumbing installed along with a floor coating that would be easily cleaned and hard wearing. Once this was done we started on the shop.
Again we built a stud work frame and this time lined it with a combination of plasterboard the plastic cladding we used in the butchery. Once the walls, ceiling and floor was finished we ordered our new display counter as well as building a carpark out the front using crushed concrete topped with gravel.
Before we stared building the shop
Once all the building work was completed we got the ok from the local council who gave us a Five for Food Hygiene Rating and we opened for business.
Inside the new shop on the farm
Currently the shop is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 9am and 6pm. On Sundays we travel down to Queens Park Farmers Market in London and sell there between 10am and 2pm.
We are now taking Christmas orders for Free Range Kelly Bronze Turkeys, Free Range Aylesbury Ducks and other christmas essentials including sausage meat, Pigs in blankets and bacon. You can either order bey telephoning Iain or popping buy the shop on the farm in North Somercotes or in you are in London at Queens Park Farmers Market on Sundays.
Taking Christmas Turkey and Duck Orders
North Somercotes a new farm and a new beginning
North Somercotes is a popular tourist destination located a couple of miles from the coast in north Lincolnshire. We moved to North Somercotes back in 2014 and have spent the last twelve months creating the farm we wanted.
After stamping our mark on the house which meant extensively redecorating and replacing the sewage system we moved on to the land and farm buildings. The first major task was to fence in the land and section it off in to paddocks. Without the fencing the livestock wouldn’t hang around too long.
Over all we put in over 1.5 kilometres of fencing held up by 0ver 650 fence posts. And each paddock needed a gate so we installed 17 of them. Being new to North Somercotes we also spent lots of time trying to get to know the area the the quickest way to and from Mole Country stores in Market Rasen.
Towards the end of 2014 we started our preparation for Christmas with turkey and duck chicks along with a few hens. To begin with the Poults (baby turkey) and ducklings lived under the warm embrace of heat lamps before moving outside once big and old enough. Iain built mobile houses for both. Being mobile meant that they could be moved from paddock to paddock to allow the land to rest.
Next came the pigs and cattle. Although the previous owner had, had pigs at some point the fencing needed to be replaced. Iain also built a new addition home for them.
In early February we cleared the overgrown orchard and we planted 90 fruit trees. Since then we have added rhubarb and several types of berry’s to the orchard. We have also been making use on the small polite tunnel to grow courgettes, tomatoes and chilli.
Queens Park Farmers Market
In April we had the great news that we could start selling at Queens Park Farmers Market in London. With this news it was all go.
We found a fridge van, bought a heavy duty gazebo and ordered new branded aprons with our new logo. The logo was based on a logo Louise’s aunt had designed for the previous farm.
June came and we finally made it to Queens Park Farmers Market in London and Iain had a great reception from his previous customers.
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For those of you who live in London you can buy our food every Sunday from Queens Park Farmers Market on Salusbuy Road, London.
Queens Park Farmers Market is located in the playground of Salsubury Primary School near Queens Park Underground station and is run by London Farmers Markets. The market runs from 10am to 2pm.
What you can buy at Queens Park Farmers Market
Along with us you can find sellers of bread, fish, fruit and veg. All the produce sold is produced under the London Farmers markets ethical standards. Iain was one of the very first to sell at Queens Park Farmers Market which started ten years ago.
Unlike supermarkets you can buy as little or as much as you need, from a single sausage to a whole side of beef (if preordered). And as Iain is also a trained chef he is happy to give any advice you may need to cook anything you may buy from us which is ideal if you want to try something new.
Unlike supermarkets we work with the seasons and have apples in the autumn, Turkeys at Christmas and Goose eggs in the late spring/summer. Every week things may be different especially the sausage flavours but we will always keep the core favourites.
Because we cure and smoke our own meat we have complete control of the process and will from time to time try new things that we hope our customers may like including Bacon Jam which is also one of our personal favourites.
Pre-odering and Special Requests
You can also pre-order and order special requests such as larger joints or even hog roasts with us by either telephoning or emailing in advance which is idea if you are after something out of the norm or catering for a special occasion.
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