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.
Visit
www.hinchliffes.com
