Leicestershire butcher wins business of the year award
09 June 2009
Joseph Morris Butchers has been named Which? Local Business of the Year at the third annual Which? Awards.
The award was presented to Richard Morris by news presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, at a ceremony held at the British Museum today. The family-run business, which has two shops in Leicestershire, was established in 1930 by the present proprietor’s father, Joseph, and is now in its third generation. David Morris, his wife Elaine, and their three children Richard, Robert and Helen all work for the business.
Joseph Morris Butchers won the award after being voted the public’s favourite local business in the Midlands*. They were recommended for their outstanding locally-sourced produce and exemplary customer service.
More than 29,000 Which? members voted for their top local trader to produce a shortlist of ten regional winners – which included three butchers and three greengrocers**.
Pete Tynan from Which? Local, says:
“Joseph Morris is an outstanding, traditional, family-run butcher, recommended for its excellent quality and range of local meat, and its efficient, warm and friendly service. The staff are always willing to go the extra mile, and have built up such a reputation that on Saturday mornings, the queue goes well out of the door.
“Since 2000, the UK has lost an average of five butchers every single week. But this award shows how much the public values the service provided by local businesses like Joseph Morris – making it more important than ever to support our ‘high street heroes’ in these difficult times.”
Richard Morris from Joseph Morris Butchers, says:
“We’re very pleased to have been named Which? Local Business of the Year – this is the first award we’ve ever won! We’re looking forward to continuing this success and to Joseph Morris Butchers becoming a forth generation business in the future”.
The award was one of 10 presented today at the annual Which? Awards, held by consumer organisation Which? to celebrate the best products and services in the UK. The ceremony was hosted by news presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, and Inventor Trevor Baylis OBE and top chef Heston Blumenthal OBE also took part in the event.
- Ends –
Notes to Editor
For further information, an interview, or a photograph of the winners receiving awards, please contact Helen Lacey or Nicole Gross. To find out more about the Which? Awards log on to: www.which.co.uk/awards
* Which? Local asked its members to vote for their best local businesses - from builders to plumbers, computer repairers to garden centres - that provide a great service or go the extra mile for their customers. Recommendations made at www.which-local.co.uk/award between 15 February and 6 April 2009 were used to judge and select regional and trade winners.
** The ten regional winners were:
> London: M.C. Perrin (greengrocers)
> South East: Ray Rowley Butchers
> South West: Hansfords Butchers
> North East & Yorkshire: Geoff Danby (central heating engineer)
> North West: Stanleys Fruit Stores
> Scotland: Wright Ironmonger Ltd
> Wales: Webbs Of Crickhowell (department store)
> Northern Ireland: C Glass (greengrocers)
> Midlands: Joseph Morris Butchers
> East Anglia: Hundon Village Shop (not-for-profit convenience store and post office)
The Which? Awards 2009 – winners
> Best Audio Visual Brand: Canon
> Best Domestic Appliance Brand: Bosch
> Best Carmaker: BMW
> Best Financial Services Provider: The Co-operative Bank
> Best High Street Retailer: John Lewis
> Which? Innovation Award: BBC iPlayer
> Best Online Retailer: play.com
> Best Supermarket: Aldi
> The Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year: Ronnies, Thornbury
> Which? Local Business of the Year: Joseph Morris Butchers, Leicestershire
For more information on Joseph Morris, visit www.joseph-morris.co.uk