New butcher’s shop is opening in Kibworth today (November 5) – and it’s a real family affair

“We haven’t got a butcher within seven miles of here - so it’s about time we put that right"
By Philip Hibble
Published 5th Nov 2020, 09:44 GMT
Updated 5th Nov 2020, 09:51 GMT
Prime cut...John and Jill Vickers are opening their new butchers shop Bridge 67 Butchers on the High Street in Kibworth this Thursday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERPrime cut...John and Jill Vickers are opening their new butchers shop Bridge 67 Butchers on the High Street in Kibworth this Thursday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Prime cut...John and Jill Vickers are opening their new butchers shop Bridge 67 Butchers on the High Street in Kibworth this Thursday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

A new butcher’s shop is opening in Kibworth on Thursday (November 5) – and it’s a real family affair.

Jill Vickers, 42, and her husband John, 42, are pulling the shutters up on Bridge 67 on the High Street in the village.

Their daughter Jess, 15, and son Thomas, 12, and her mum Liz Turner are also rolling up their sleeves as they gear up for a busy winter.

And Jill’s sister-in-law Hannah, her husband Boris, and her in-laws Bill and Liz Vickers are also playing their part as it’s all hands on deck.

“We’ve got a fantastic family and they are all stepping forward to help us get our new butcher’ off the ground.

“We are very excited about opening our first ever shop,” said Jill.

“We haven’t got a butcher within seven miles of here.

“So it’s about time we put that right and we can’t wait to get up and going.”

The thrilled mum-of-two said they are opening at 9am on Thursday despite the new Covid-19 lockdown being launched nationwide.

“We are an essential food shop so we are going ahead as planned.

“But, of course, we are making sure that our new shop is totally Covid-secure,” said Jill.

“We are sourcing all of our brilliant beef and lamb from our farm just a mile down the road in Smeeton Westerby.

“The Vickers family have been farming here for over 50 years – and are known far and wide throughout the area.

“All of our livestock are high quality, grass fed and very well looked after.

“Animal welfare is right at the top of our list of priorities and is very important to us.

“We get our fine pork from my sister-in-law Hannah and buy in free range or barn-reared chickens and turkeys.

“All of our great-tasting, supremely-favoured produce is local and 100 per cent British.

“We have brought in two superb butchers, Colin and Lindsey, and I’ll be working at the shop as well while our daughter Jess and my mum are also pitching in,” said Jill.

“We are called Bridge 67 after a very prominent bridge on the Grand Union canal that runs across our land.

“We’ve been operating a pop-up shop on our farm for the last 12-18 months – and it’s been a huge success.

“Local demand is sky high and so many people are looking forward to us opening up.

“We are also offering a click and collect service next week so let’s get up and started!”

If you would like to find out more about Bridge 67, you can visit their website https://www.bridge67.co.uk/beef-lamb/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Bridge67.co.uk/