6 September 2012
The boss of the UK’s oldest farm shop has criticised supermarket giants for
being too expensive and not providing consumers with enough good quality
produce from their region.
Simon Hirst, partner in the family-run Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop based in
Netherton, West Yorkshire – which was established in 1974 – said consumers
were “missing out” by being forced to buy from supermarkets.
“The supermarkets have had a stranglehold on our food chain for so long
we’ve been given little choice but to trawl the multiples’ aisles for food
that is poor quality, poorly sourced and, particularly in the case of the
meat products, over-priced,” says Hirst, the fourth generation manager of
the Yorkshire farm, which is famed for its top-quality beef, chicken and
on-site butchers shop. “The supermarkets would have us believe they are
cheaper than the farm shops and farmers’ markets but, in many cases, this
simply isn’t true.”
For two years in a row, Hinchliffe’s meat cuts have proved to be cheaper
than those from the nearest supermarket with its latest price comparison
survey showing that 18 out of 20 products are the same or better value than
the local Sainsbury’s, with cooked ham, chicken breasts, pork chops and
cooked beef more than half the price.
“Supermarkets may sell ‘value’ meat but really it has no value,” says Hirst,
the great-grandchild of Hinchliffe’s founder Charlie Hinchliffe. “Our meat
is hand reared on the farm, and we butcher on site too so we know exactly
what has gone in to the meat from plot to plate. Because there’s no middle
man and zero food miles we can offer it at a cheaper price than the
supermarkets but still ensure top quality.”
Hinchliffe’s butchers sell award-winning fresh beef from its own herd of
South Devons, bred and fed on family-run farms – and the family are closely
involved in every stage from feeding to handling. Hinchliffe’s highly
skilled butchers bone out and cure meat, and make award-winning sausages and
homemade pies and pasties on site.
“Some 85% of the food and drink that is sold in the farm shop is sourced
from trusted local producers,” adds Hirst. “Giving our customers the
confidence that what they buy will be top notch – and from their region –
injecting money back into their local communities, and not into the pockets
of the supermarket bosses.
“Like many local, family businesses, we’re passionate about what we do, and
can give that one-to-one personal service that supermarkets cannot.
Multinationals and chains are stripping away the unique character of our
high street – and our countryside – so let’s make a stand before we all end
up living in identikit towns and cities.”
Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop, Butchery and Restaurant, established in 1929, has
been an integral part of the landscape of Huddersfield for generations,
weathering eight prime ministers, four recessions, three royal jubilees and
a great fire that completely destroyed its Netherton premises back in 2010.
Hinchliffe’s can say with all honesty that nothing stops its from serving
its customers.
It’s commitment to its customers saw it win a coveted ‘Customer at the
Heart’ award this month, which is nominated solely by customers to celebrate
and praise independent retailers who work hard to make sure their customers
are happy, that they have great choice and that they leave the store feeling
content.
Log on to www.hinchliffes.com
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