14 // Celebrating Poundbury
Food Hall destination
The Brace of Butchers in Queen Mother Square is close to its first full year of trading and it’ s clear this renaissance in quality butchery continues to go from strength to strength. Since the opening by Julian Fellowes in mid-October 2014, they have attracted a significant following with customers enjoying fresh local and wellpriced groceries. The reaction within Poundbury, Dorchester and the surrounding villages has been more than what they expected and it’ s clear the county town was missing a quality butcher and grocer. The concept is to source the best local products from farmers, producers and fishermen that are known for quality and farming standards and provide a service to its customers that would be unrivalled by supermarkets. The business is managed under the watchful eye of a dedicated team which includes the combined 34 years of experience and skills of two of Dorset’ s best butchers, Rob Owen and Ben Black aka the Brace of Butchers. Rob and Ben were scouted to run the shop owing to their extensive knowledge and experience, and clearly a significant group of loyal customers they have amassed over their individual careers of 17 years. The shop was designed to discard some of the more traditional butchery clichés and create a light and modern experience where the product quality and customer service is paramount. Once inside the shop you can’ t help notice one of the special features; a backdrop behind the butcher’ s counter that gives the customers an opportunity to see through a near theatrical viewing window into the aging room. This is something that you would not get elsewhere and is inspired by traditional photos of butchers hanging their meat on show in years gone by. The Brace of Butchers concept has not stopped with just butchery and deli, as the owners are carefully building a Food Hall range to support the increasing conveniencedriven small shopping trips that have been adopted by many to reduce wastage from large weekly shops. The BoB team are already adding new additions during spring and summer with fresh fruit and vegetables, Jurassic Coast shellfish and extended hours for a‘ call and collect’ service – just don ' t ask for Granville yet! Brace of Butchers is well and truly set to become a standout destination for Poundbury.