A BUTCHER'S that dates back to the 1800s and recently underwent a significant redevelopment has been shortlisted for a national award.

Johnson’s of Thirsk has been trading in the market town since 1830 and has undergone one of its biggest transformations in its 190-year history.

Under the guidance of Sarah-Jane and Andrew Trueman it moved premises to a double-fronted Victorian bay-windowed shop in the market square.

It also extended its offering to include charcuterie, condiments and complimentary foodstuffs, as well as totally revamping the sourcing to buy only local products.

In addition, the company has made innovations such as a ‘Butchery School’ where the public can book their place to watch a Master Butcher transform a sow to a sausage before trying the craft for themselves.

The couple also launched a catering company that is in such high demand they are taking bookings for 2022.

All this has won the business a place in the national finals of the Meat Trades Journal Butchers Shop of the Year 2019.

Mr Trueman explained the shop's ethos: "We see food moving away from being just ‘fuel for the fire’ towards being an ‘experience’," he said.

"We aim to make delicious food for big celebrations."

Mr Trueman explained that one large factor behind the shop's continued success has been to shorten its supply chain drastically.

He said: "With the industry focus on traceability, provenance and sustainability; we took the decision to source only local products.

"We did this whilst also broadening our offering to include charcuterie, cheeses, condiments, coffees and desserts, amongst others.

"Our supply chain could not be any shorter. It’s Yorkshire first and Yorkshire only."

He added: "We eat at local, independent restaurants; we ask where ingredients come from and we engage with our customers on what their favourite new local products are."

The winning butchers will be revealed at a ceremony in London on November 4.