Stuffed chine, brawn, dripping, pig’s chep and, of course award-winning Lincolnshire sausages – just some of the traditional fare that’s still as popular at butchers Bycroft’s of Boston.
But the shop in Dolphin Lane has also moved with the times, and alongside the traditional and the staple they also offer more modern treats, such as microwave-ready meals prepared on the premises.
Bycroft’s is among the latest premises to receive top marks from Boston Borough Council’s food hygiene inspectors (full list below).
It’s a re-issue of the five rating for the shop, which has now scored top marks for a number of years.
Apart from a few pre-packaged lines from other suppliers, such as Lincolnshire plum loaf, everything is prepared on the premises by experienced staff loyal to the company. Homemade meat pies and sausage rolls are baked daily and their award winning Lincolnshire sausages and haslets have been made to founder Tom Bycroft’s secret recipe since 1928.
The shop was originally in Wormgate – Tom coming from a generation of butchers. He dedicated his life to the business, which now occupies a shop in Dolphin Lane for the past 14 years and owned by Jeff Greenfield and Nigel Lote, two of Tom’s loyal and skilled butchers who had worked for him for a total of 50 years.
Shop manager is Shereena Read, who has worked for Bycroft’s for 13 years. She said: “It is important to staff and customers that we continually strive to meet all requirements necessary to maintain our top food hygiene rating. When almost everything we sell is prepared on the rated premises it gives customers confidence that we are doing everything to the highest standards.”
There is still demand for traditional products such as stuffed chine, a Lincolnshire speciality, brawn and dripping and Bycroft’s are also meeting demand with their range of ready meals which include cottage pie, lasagne, sliced pork, mash and gravy, sausage and mash, turkey and mash and gluten free sausages for those with intolerances and 100 per cent chicken sausages for the health conscious.
And for those big family gatherings discounts are available for purchase of orders weighing more than 5lb.
Orders can be phoned in on 01205 362625 for pick up or delivery and assistance will be available to help carry large orders from the shop to your car.
Others to achieve the top food hygiene rating of five this time round were: St Lawrence Catering; Iva’s Homemade Food; Boston Pioneers Free School Academy, Fydell Crescent; Golden Lion, 46 High Street; Mon Ami Day Nursery, High Street; C Dunham, 17 London Road; The Spirit of Endeavour, Marsh Lane; Costa Coffee, Pilgrim Way, Wyberton; Bus Station Café, 2 Pipe Office Lane; Aldi, Queen Street; The Sportsman, Rosebery Avenue; Boston Squash Club, Rosebery Avenue; Asda, Sleaford Road; Asda Café, Sleaford Road and Witham Tavern, 3 Witham Bank East.
The council’s environmental health officers rate premises in line with the Food Standard Agency’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.
The scheme helps consumers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, takeaways and food shops.
You can search for information about hygiene standards at restaurants, takeaways and food shops at http://ratings.food.gov.uk/
Shereena in Bycroft’s of Boston with a tray full of their award-winning sausages. Also pictured are assistants Julie Aston and Angela Hall
The traditional look of Bycroft’s of Boston Dolphin Lane shop, which was refurbished two years ago