A popular community butcher’s shop is in new hands.
Viking Butchers has been acquired by Danny Hopcutt, owner of a nearby wholesale butchery business, and renamed Poppleton Village Butchers.
His family has links with York and North Yorkshire’s butchery trade going back three generations.
The deal, advised by York-based law firm Harrowells, saw Danny buy the butcher’s shop, its equipment and fittings for a five figure sum from previous owner, Brian Rasmussen.
Danny has also taken over the lease from the previous holder who ran the shop as Barker’s Butchers several years ago.
His grandfather, Terry Hopcutt, managed many of the Dewhurst butchers shops throughout the North before opening a butcher’s shop of his own, with his wife, Christine, in Burton Stone Lane.
And his father, Dean Hopcutt, has a meat wholesale business supplying butchers throughout the UK.
Danny said: “Brian Rasmussen called and asked if I would be interested in buying Viking Butcher’s. As my other business is less than a mile away, I initially disregarded the idea but then thought a walk-in shop would complement the other venture so we agreed a price.
“We will offer locally-sourced meats, poultry, eggs, pies, cooked meats, oven-ready meals and condiments. As a York man, I intend to continue as a consistent, reliable and friendly community butcher, offering the fairest prices possible.
“Matthew Rowley was brilliant and told me what I would, and would not, require from him which was very helpful as you can be sold services that you don’t necessarily need. I found him extremely good.”
Delivery service
Danny qualified in international business studies at Manchester Metropolitan University before starting York Wholesale Meats five years ago as retail outlet from a nearby industrial unit.
He closed the shop during the initial Covid-19 outbreak to offer a delivery service which has continued.
The business, which has 15 staff, became more focused on the catering sector and now supplies restaurants, pubs and hotels throughout York and North Yorkshire.
Following the acquisition of Poppleton Butchers, he has installed a brand new dry-ageing cabinet which will display dry-aged, bone-in beef and allow customers to hand select their own cuts of meat.
Matthew Rowley says: “Although Harrowells is primarily a large regional firm, we can trace our roots in York back to the early 20th century and it is a pleasure to advise good-quality small enterprises, such as Poppleton Village Butchers, which perform a valuable service to the local community.”
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