Tomorrow is 'the' big day for Ian Chatfield, our new independent High Street butcher, as the family business will be opening their doors to the public for the first time.
The new shop is situated next to MacDonalds, at the southern end of the High Street, and is looking really smart inside and out. Although the interior of the shop is obscured by temporary paper, whilst the team are busily getting all things ready for tomorrow's grand opening, I did venture inside to see how they were getting on.
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| Ian Chatfield Master Butcher |
The shop smelt divine as Frank Hewitt from Rowcliffe was setting out the deli counter. Rowcliffe specialise in quality cheese amongst other things, and I did think to myself that I needed to look no further to fuel my slight obsession with the beautiful stuff. But it's not all about cheese as the deli counter is extensive, and will be filled with local and continental meat, homemade meat pies, pasties, sausage rolls and a large selection of pastries and bread prepared and baked daily. I think I spotted olives and various other delights too. There will also be freshly baked baguettes filled to order.
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| Frank Hewitt |
Ian Chatfield is a Master Butcher having completed his training in the 1970's with a butcher in Tonbridge High Street. He told me that as far as he knew there were once six butchers on our High Street, and he was proud to be bringing one back to Tonbridge again. Gone is the sawdust of the past, as this interior is clean and contemporary, and the team will provide all the services of a traditional butcher shop but with a modern style. On offer is old fashioned, grass fed, free range beef and lamb, outdoor reared pork and free range chickens, all selected from the best stock that's allowed to grow slowly and naturally from local farms. All incredibly positive to my ears.
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| Butchers Mike and Ian |
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| Ready to be filled for tomorrow's grand opening |
It's been a long long time since we've been able to shop at a High Street butchers and to have a new delicatessen too is a bonus. Tonbridge seems pretty excited to welcome Ian Chatfield. This is just what our town needs. I for one will certainly be supporting this new local business, and wish them every luck - it's been a long time coming. This could be the start of something very good.
Read more about Ian Chatfield on www.ianchatfield.co.uk
Very positive to see new and higher quality businesses returning to the High Street.
ReplyDeleteWhat with the farmers market, the Finch House, a Mexican and now a butchers this could be the start of a food revolution.
It would be good to see some pop up cafes along the river walk in summer.