Tony is back. Now we have new butchers at the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford.
The manager is Tony Padfield, from Highfield, who used to run Dukes Butchers just across the road at The Mall in Chandler’s Ford for 11 years.
The butchers’ shop called Grover Butchers opened yesterday. The sign still isn’t up yet.
I told you before butchers from Bishop’s Waltham were coming to Fryern Arcade. Now with the arrival of Grover Butchers yesterday, the shop-moving and shop-opening at the Fryern Arcade in Chandler’s Ford seem to have all settled.
Tony has been a butcher for 30 years. He told me he started when he was 14 years old, helping his brother-in-law. He used to run Dukes Butchers, until about 18 months ago, when high rent forced him to close the shop.
Tony has a young and able assistant called Lewis Vigor. Lewis also started working for a butcher at weekends when he was about 14 years old. After finishing GCSE, Lewis earned a butchery qualification from Sparsholt College, and has been a butcher for 7 years.
Residents of Chandler’s Ford certainly welcome Tony’s old-style butchers’ shop at the centre of Chandler’s Ford.
Tony told me that all meats are locally sourced from Bishop’s Waltham. He is proud of his award-winning sausages made from free-range pork. He will soon be starting selling all sorts of pies.
Grover Butchers:
16 Fryern Arcade, Chandler’s Ford SO53 2DQ
Opening Times:
Monday to Friday: 7am to 5pm
Saturday: 7am to 4pm
The butchers’ shop is located between Fryern Stationers and D & G Hardware Store. Grover Butchers has now replaced the post office, which has moved across to the other side. The new Fryern Arcade Post Office is now part of WH Smith.
I created this collage in May this year:
Update:
A few days after this post was published, Grover Butchers put their new shop sign up. The sign carries large letters in red.
Related posts on the Fryern Arcade, Chandler’s Ford:
- Fryern Arcade: Butchers And Post Office
- Fryern Arcade WH Smith Local & Post Office Open
- Fryern Arcade Post Office: Open 7 Days A Week?
- What Had Happened To The Fryern Arcade Public Toilets?
- Fryern Arcade D & G Hardware Store
- Fryern Arcade Old And New
- Fryern Arcade’s Fresh Look: MIBI, D & G
- Fryern Arcade In Chandler’s Ford: Major Changes Are Coming
- Buying Christmas Trees At Fryern Arcade
- “We’re Sorry To Be Leaving Fryern…But…”
- Where Is The Centre Of Chandler’s Ford?
- How I love Your Comments
- Coffee And Free WiFi In Chandler’s Ford
- In Love With Chandler’s Ford Coffee Shops
- D & G Hardware: From Canberra To Chandler’s Ford
- Nostalgia: My Stamp Collection
- The Big Issue In Chandler’s Ford
- The Myth Of Thomas The Tank Engine
- Who Are The Heavenly Knitters in Chandler’s Ford?
- Table Hogging
That is great news Janet – I get fed up with all the packaging used by supermarkets and am looking forward to buying my meat from someone who is aware of its source. The good thing about supermarkets though, is that they have good reductions when you are lucky enough to catch them. But supporting a local company is more important. I was sad when Smedleys butcher in Eastleigh closed – he prepared me the most amazing turkey last year which was part boned but retained the legs – compact shape but still with brown meat which I adore! Hope these guys can do the same. Thanks for keeping me up to date with what is going on.
Hi Wendy,
It’s lovely to have Tony back in Chandler’s Ford. Fresh meats from butchers are certainly much better. Now the arcade has a variety of delightful shops. We are very lucky in this area.
I visited the butchers for the first time this morning. Wonderful array of meats – including some “ready to cook” preparations. An advantage that a proper butcher has over a supermarket is that everything is in one display. You don’t have to move from the chicken aisle to get chicken to the beef aisle to get beef.
We bought some lamb pinwheels (a “swiss roll” of lamb mince rolled in puff pastry) for dinner tonight, and chicken kievs for tomorrow. The kievs are very garlicky – a strong smell of garlic in the car by the time we hot home – and the had been sealed in plastic bags!
Of course, the proof is in the eating, so will let you know how they taste.
I also though how well the fryern arcade is looking, with all the units occupied.
Ruby,
I visited the butchers too after you’ve left. I showed Tony (the butcher) your comment above and he seemed to like it a lot. My husband bought some sausages and chicken. Do you know they also sell South African meat – biltong and dorewors? Perhaps we also have a South African community here?
The pinwheels were really good and the chicken kievs were excellent. Filled with a bacon (I think) stuffing – not just injected with garlic butter like supermarket ones. And much larger – could have got away with one between two. So they may be more expensive than supermarket brands, but the quality and size more than made up for the higher price. I will definitely be visiting again.
Ruby,
I have been waiting for your phone call all weekend. 🙂
Right, in this household, we tried out the chicken with stuffed sausage meat this evening. Due to my husband’s excellent cooking, despite the rubbish oven, the meat tastes delicious. The herb mixture in the sausage meat is outstanding. We had a conversation over Salisbury, Waitrose and Grover Butchers’ meat. My husband thinks the butcher’s meat has ‘personality’ to it.
Having Tony back is music to our ears.. We’ve missed his sausages and pies.. And Christmas is all good again as we can have a ‘real’ Turkey.. It’s the best news !!
Indeed, Andrea. It is lovely to have the butchers back in Chandler’s Ford. We are happy customers. Thank you for your comment.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS………..Nick
Dear Nick,
Thank you for stopping by. When I next visit Grover Butchers, I’ll pass on your regards.
Andrew..I wish you all the very best for your new venture.I am sure you will be very successful
Hope you have a good Christmas trade ,and I will speak to you in the new year
Kind Regards NICK HARRIOTT of HARRIOTTS of WEST MEON