BUTCHERY boss Simon Barker has big plans after taking full control of a Skipton wholesale and retail business.

He has bought his business partner's half share in the Stanforths butchery business, including the meat production unit at Skipton Auction Mart and a retail shop on Mill Bridge, Skipton. .

Simon was previously a 50 per cent shareholder with butcher Robert Hart, from Sutton-in-Craven who joined the firm from school 33 years ago. He has retired from the butcher's shop renowned for its pork pies at the age of 50 to seek new challenges.

Simon, 41, is rebranding the mart’s CCM Quality Foods operation under the long-established Stanforths name and has major plans for the development and expansion of the business.

As well as continuing to operate a private cutting service for local farmers and farm shops at its fully EC-registered on-site cutting plant, Simon says he will be looking to expand the catering supply side of the operation.

He said: “In addition to our own shop, we supply prime beef and lamb that I buy personally at Skipton Auction Mart extensively into the local hospitality sector – restaurants, pubs and hotels – along with locally sourced gammon and bacon, which I also source in person from Selby Livestock Auction Mart.

“All our meat is sourced from Yorkshire and we have a great relationship with CCM and the other marts I deal with, who are always keen to meet our requirements, as well as with local farmers.

“We will have an ongoing requirement for cattle and lambs each week at Skipton as the business develops. We are also buying around 80 pigs a week and expect this demand to grow."

The catering arm of the business currently trades across the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate and into north-east Lancashire.

Simon said: “We are looking to grow and have identified opportunities to both strengthen our footprint in our current trading areas and expand into new ones across the region.”

Her joined a Knaresborough butchers after leaving school and was appointed manager of CCM Quality Foods’ on-site meat production unit in August, 2004, becoming a director five years ago.

Stanforths currently employs 20 people at the mart and in the butcher’s shop.

“We are moving onwards and upwards - and going all out to spread the word that Stanforths is much, much more than just a pie shop,” added Simon, who regularly judges and buys prize-winning primestock at Skipton and other shows .

ENDS