Lake District Farm Shops Launch First Butchers Counter on a British Motorway

Nov. 24, 2008 - PRLog -- The first to open Farm Shop on a Motorway in 2003 – the Butchers Counter was the natural progression for Westmorland Ltd - a local Company with its roots firmly in farming and with a passion for Cumbria, a County renowned for its livestock.

The Dunning family who own and run Tebay Services, The Lake District Farm Shops and Butchery, formed the Company Westmorland in 1972 (http://www.westmorland.com), when the M6 was built through their Farm land near Shap. The Westmorland business has therefore grown out of farm diversification. Chief Executive Sarah Dunning took the decision to open the Butchers Counter with cutting and meat maturing room at Tebay Services because the Company only wanted to sell beef and lamb from its own Farm; both in the Butchers Counter and exclusively in Cafes at Tebay Services, J38 Truckstop, our Hotel Restaurant, Cafes at Rheged and their Lake District caravan park.

Sarah Dunning commented “For us it is vital that we can manage our meat from the farm to fork. Not only does this benefit the environment through reduced food miles, it also means we have maximum traceability as we know precisely where our meat has come from, down to the exact animal.  It also means we can offer our customer our own consistently high quality fresh meat in both the food that we produce and sell in our restaurants and in our new Butchers Counter. It is certainly unique to have this level of quality and traceability in a Butchers Shop let alone a M6 Motorway Services Area. This has only been possible through a unique partnership between our Farm Manager and our Butcher.”

Bob Day, who has managed the Dunning Farm at Tebay for the last 20 years takes great pride in his stock management, treating every animal with respect, care and attention. He farms Galloway and Blue Grey beef cattle, Herdwick and other hardy traditional hill sheep breeds, which are best suited to the harsh upland landscape. The stock are grass fed and reared slowly on the Cumbrian Fells using natural and sustainable farming methods. Bob supplies high quality beef and lamb every week, in different quantities depending on the peaks and troughs of the business. It has taken a big commitment on the part of the Farm to ensure stock ready for slaughter is at its best on a week by week basis, as opposed to taking the cattle and sheep to auction mart a few times a year.

Bob Day, Farm Manager commented “I ensure only the lambs and beef cattle in peak condition go to the local abattoir. I transport the animals myself to ensure they are relaxed and content. Evidence proves low stress levels yield high meat quality”

David Morland commented “My career has given me extensive experience in every aspect of meat from farm to fork and the secret of our success is my close working relationship with Farm Manager, Bob Day. I must be one of the only butchers in the Country who can choose my beef and lamb weekly as live animals from the field, a few miles from the Butchers Counter and who knows the history of every animal – a guarantee of health and welfare”

The Lake District Farm Shops at Tebay Services southbound, where the Butchers Counter is located offer an extensive range of carefully selected local and artisan specialities including over 40 British farmhouse cheeses. We sell delicious handmade pies and sausage rolls, made from Gloucester Old Spot pork. The Farm Shops also have a good selection of bacon, freshly baked bread, delicious cakes, jams, relishes, chutney’s, pickles and vinegar, fresh fruit and vegetables and Christmasl food hampers.

For further information visit http://www.westmorland.com

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Westmorland – Lake Districts farm shops offers carefully selected local produce including Galloway beef and home bred Lamb from our farm in Cumbria – the Lake District. The Lake District farm shop is located at the Tebay M6 motorway services.