Farming family open on-site butcher shop in Vale of Belvoir

Dickies Butchers, which launched in July, will sell home-reared beef, pork, lamb and chicken, as well as locally-produced breads and cheeses, for customers in and around the Vale of Belvoir.

The new venture, supported by a flexible business loan from HSBC, will provide a sustained custom for Orchard Farm’s owners, Rich and Charlotte Stevens, who previously reared livestock for private trade and sale at local markets.

The HSBC funding has helped Dickies Butchers to install a cold room, buy a refrigerated van and fit out the new shop. It also enabled the company to buy essential equipment for the shop

Additionally, Dickies Butchers has been able to hire a master butcher from Leicestershire with over 25 years in the business.

Rich Stevens, owner of Dickies Butchers, said: “The reduction in the amount of grazing land around our farm meant we had to rethink our future in farming and innovate. Ultimately, we had to reduce the numbers of livestock, but we were mindful that we needed a sustainable business solution. After much consideration, we felt creating an on-site butcher for our customers to buy their meat produce locally was an ideal way to grow our business, secure a future for our farm as well as continue providing high-quality meat to the local community.”