A long-established family firm has celebrated 40 years of trading from the same site in Penrith.
Cranstons’ traditional shop on King Street opened its doors for the first time in 1983 and chairman Philip Cranston said it was a step into the unknown.
He said: “It was a big step up from our little shop in Kirkoswald, and our travelling butchers’ vans.
“We did not know how popular it would be, so started with only two staff members but straight away the support from the community was amazing.
“From the start we had queues down the street, we had to grow the team rapidly to meet the demand. This shop has a special place in our hearts, as our original high street base.’’
The shop prides itself on its personal customer service with the team on first name terms with lots of its customers, the company said.
The expansion onto Penrith’s high street marked the start of a period of expansion for Cranstons with further high street openings in Carlisle, Brampton and Hexham before the millennium and the launch of Cranstons food halls in Penrith and at Orton Grange Farm since the millennium.
Cranstons now serves over 20,000 customers a week from its two traditional shops and four local produce food halls, but it said it retained the same ethos it has had throughout its 100-year history.
Sourcing quality local meat direct from trusted farms and local auction marts and using traditional butchery methods to create a delicious and bespoke product range.
Shop manager Robert Henderson has worked for Cranstons since 1987 and has managed the King Street shop for over 20 years.
He said: “It has been great to celebrate 40 years trading here on King Street with our dedicated hard-working team. The celebration has brought up great memories of team members past and present who have all been part of the shop’s success over the last few decades.
“Although the retail landscape has completely changed with the emergence of the supermarkets and Cranstons own food hall on Ullswater Road opening and growing this shop continues to thrive.
“We are extremely thankful to all those who shop with us, from all our lovely regulars to holidaymakers visiting the town- there is still very much a place on the high street for a quality independent butchers’ shop like Cranstons.”
Cranstons Quality Butchers was established in 1914 by Stanley Cranston, the great uncle of current directors, Philip and Roger Cranston.
In the last five years Cranstons have won over 30 national produce awards, most recently picking up the title Best Deli product in the UK for its rare roast beef at the 2023 Smithfield Awards.
