The Chopping Block butchers opens at Darlington Market
The Chopping Block, founded by Ory Vanes and Matt Waistell, both from Darlington, welcomed its first customers on Wednesday, April 15.
Offering what the owners described as “the very best” locally sourced meat, the idea for the business stemmed from their previous experience in hospitality and commercial property.
Ory Vanes, 34, is also the co-owner of Harryβs Burger Joint with his brother Keaton, upstairs in the market.
He said: βWe started supplying ourselves directly instead of buying through a butcher, and it just grew from there.
βWe already had that connection into the supply chain, and it became a conversation of whether we should open a shop.
βThereβs not really anything in the town centre anymore. Historically, the market used to have several butchers, and now theyβve all gone.
βYou see people saying all the time that they want one back, so we thought, why not bring it back and do it properly.β
Following the retirement of long-established butcher, David Jackson Butchers, which closed its doors after 50 years last July, the pair saw a gap in the market for their business.
Mr Vanes added: βWhen our butcher retired, it forced us to rethink things.
βWe decided to bring it all in house so we can tell the full story of the produce, from the farm right through to the customer.
βIt gives us control over quality and means people know exactly where their food is coming from.β
The new shop is located on the outside part of the market, a spot the owners say offers both visibility and strong footfall while still being part of the historic market setting.
Matt, 42, said: βThe location for us was a big factor. We know weβre not inside the market hall itself, but we are still part of the market and the square.
βYouβve got the footfall, the transport links and everything thatβs happening there throughout the year.
βWe needed a proper shop frontage, somewhere people can see straight in.
βItβs a busy area and really central, which gives us the best chance to showcase what weβre doing and bring people through the door.β
The business has already recruited an experienced master butcher, along with a shop manager and two apprentices through Darlington Borough Councilβs Trailblazer scheme, helping to support skills and employment in the area.
The duo said a key focus for the new shop is sourcing meat from across the North East and North Yorkshire, something the owners believe is essential to deliver high quality and sustainable products.
Ory said: βWeβre passionate about locally sourced products. If itβs good enough to be sent all over the country, such as London, then itβs good enough to be sold here in Darlington.
βItβs about supporting local farmers, creating jobs and keeping money in the local economy.
βPeople are starting to move away from supermarkets now and look for better quality. When you go to a butcher, youβre getting something prepared properly, and you can speak to someone who understands the product.β
The shop is open Tuesday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm, and Saturdays from 8.30am to 3.30pm.
Ory added: βTraditional butchery is a dying art, and we only want to sell high quality meat in our shop at an affordable price.
βWeβre excited to bring this to Darlington and supply the town with the very best.β