Traditional Kirkby Lonsdale butcher wins seal of approval

Dales Traditional Butchers in Kirkby Lonsdale has been given the seal of excellence and now represents an elite group of the finest quality independent meat retailers in Britain.

The Market Street business was established in 1906 by Herbert Dale and has won multiple awards for its sausages and hot pies.

Nowadays Dales is headed up by master butcher Mark Duckworth, who began his butchery career aged 13 years.

He is supported by an expert team including Sean Gibson, who has worked at Dales Butchers for 11 years.

Dales Traditional Butchers has expanded in recent years to offer catering for weddings, events and barbecues including its iconic hog roasts.

“We’re delighted to welcome Dales Traditional Butchers to the Q Guild," said Q Guild chairman Mark Turnbull. "Dales, like our other members, is an inspiration in terms of knowledge, skills and above all, quality and is a valuable part of the country’s food and retail landscape. I look forward to their participation in regional meetings, social and product evaluation events.”

The Q Guild’s 121 members are based across the UK: from Inverness to Cornwall, serving £5 million worth of meat and related products to over a quarter of a million discerning UK consumers every week.

Carrying the Q Guild brand sends out a strong message that they are one of Britain’s best butchers, committed to unsurpassed quality, craftsmanship and customer service.

Q Guild butchers must pass a regular audit of all aspects of their business to become members. The audit is conducted by the internationally respected European Food Standards Inspection Service.

Q Guild butchers can be identified by the green Q - which stands for quality - sign that hangs outside their shops.

The Q Guild runs the Smithfield Awards and the Smithfield Barbecue Awards annually. The awards recognise Q Guild members’ best butchery products – the very best meats and meat products from Britain’s best butchers.