Here is a new one to add onto the list ...
P. Coates & Son, 100 Main Street, Alrewas, Burton on Trent, Derbyshire, DE13 7AE. Tel 01283 790205
https://www.coatestraditionalbutchers.co.uk/We used P. Coates & Son for the slaughter and butchering of 3 pigs and were very happy with the service we received and the way in which they treated our animals.
Coates is a small family business with 3 butchers shops selling quality produce with an excellent reputation locally. All the meat they sell is locally sourced, slaughterer and butchered in Alrewas. In addition to their own requirements they also cater for smallholders, pigs are only slaughtered on Monday's.
We took our 3 gilts to them on the Sunday afternoon and settled them into one of their 2 pens that leads directly into the location where the deed is done. Fresh water is available in the pens, we bedded them down with plenty of straw and fed them there - stress free. Later that evening Antony (Coates) checked on them and gave them more food. First thing Monday morning (around 6am) they were slaughtered and I am sure they were treated with the utmost respect. I understand that ‘private’ work is always done first because their own (free range) pigs arrive at 7am and other work must be out of the way prior to them arriving. Unlike some slaughter houses, Coates do not have a weight limit on the size of pig they can handle.
When it came to butchering, on this occasion we agreed that they would butcher them the same as they do their own. 2 of the loins went for bacon which was returned 3 weeks later having been dry cured, 50/50 smoked / un-smoked. It is the most amazing bacon we have ever tasted! As we expected from master butchers, the joints were all expertly cut / rolled / tied and we had a good quantity of sausage which taste amazing. The joints and sausages were sealed in bags and the bacon vacuum packed in lot sizes we requested.
All the staff are very friendly and helpful, there prices are reasonable and I have no hesitation in giving them a full 10/10 in all respects.
And finally for those interested, they also run a Butchery class for £60, see
http://www.coatestraditionalbutchers.co.uk/butchery-school.html