Butcher Peter Rogers is getting a reputation for being a cut above the rest after his recently opened shop specialising in local produce was given a boost in funding from Advantage West Midlands.
Mr Rogers, aged 46, opened The Cutting Block in Bishops Frome, Herefordshire, six months ago, and now has a bulging order book from customers looking for locally-sourced meat.
And he is now hoping to expand after being given £3,000 from AWM's Rural Regeneration Zone fund, set up to protect rural areas of the region.
The DIY enthusiast spent six months single-handedly completing the painting, tiling and other renovation work at the shop prior to its opening.
And he put around £15,000 of his own money into the enterprise and received no income while doing the bulk of the building work.
Mr Rogers said the commitment to local businesses, suppliers and products was what had made the shop a roaring success.
He said: "I guarantee quality. We only sell British meat which is mostly bought direct from local farms. I am supported well by local businesses which buy from me, and next month I will be starting a delivery trade.
"If the business continues to grow I hope to take on an additional butcher in the next few months.
"I am the only butcher operating in a nine mile radius, and I am committed to selling only the finest cuts of local meat. All the beef hangs for 21 days and all the sausages and burgers are freshly prepared.
"Where possible all meat available at The Cutting Block is locally sourced to ensure quality and traceability of the product back to its grass roots throughout Herefordshire."
