Peterborough butchers ‘can feed entire city for next year’ thanks to founder’s legacy.
The boss of a Peterborough butchers says it has enough meat to feed the entire city for the next year thanks to his dad who founded the company more than 40 years ago. With the coronavirus pandemic sparking panic buying, James Morgan said Stilton Butchers will ensure Peterborians are never short of meat for at least the next 12 months thanks to the foresight of his dad and company owner Peter, who passed away last week.
James, who runs the firm in Fengate alongside his dad’s right-hand man Kieran Denman, said: “My dad bought enough stock to carry us through just before he passed away as he knew coronavirus was coming. There is enough stock to supply Peterborough for the next 12 months.
“We’re not turning anyone away, but people will have to collect it. And there’s no limit - they can buy what they want. We’ve bought as much as we can to make sure we can supply the whole of Peterborough. When the epidemic hits we will be keeping our prices the same. We are actually offering deals for the public.”
Former Peterborough Phantoms ice hockey player James said the huge meat supply is his dad’s “legacy” after he passed away aged 67 due to a bleed on the brain. Peter founded the company in 1978 and leaves behind wife Jackie, three children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
James hopes people will buy locally and said the firm has the highest possible food hygiene accreditation, which is why it is able to supply hospitals. He added that significant steps have been taken to ensure the safety of staff and customers.
James said: “All our butchers are covered head to toe and we’ve bought them the same masks the army are wearing. We’re not allowing people into our unit - it’s on lockdown. People can collect from us - we have people coming out and leaving the box on a trolley so there’s no contact.”
Stilton Butchers in Edgerley Drain Road had a new website put in place just before Christmas so is able to manage the high demand, James said. The 37-year-old added that under the terms agreed by his dad and the company’s suppliers, they will continue to provide enough meat for customers for two months at a time, before re-stocking each time.
“That’s why we don’t need to put prices up. That’s his legacy,” said James. “It means a lot to us to keep this city intact. It would have meant a lot to my dad. He donated to a lot of charities and did a lot at schools here. My dad built a business around staff loving him, so everyone wants the business to succeed. My dad touched a lot of people’s lives. He was very selfless and did not do things for publicity, he did it to help people.”