Whetherby News

Appletons, of Ripon, has expanded for the first time in the 147-year-old business’s history to the Market Place.

“We’re striving to become a big part of the Wetherby community just like we are in Ripon,” said owner Anthony Sterne, who bought the business from a fourth generation family member four years ago.

“Since the horsemeat scandal, shoppers have become more discerning and are returning to traditional, independent butchers like ours that are set apart by their properly sourced, hand crafted products and personal counter service.”

Modelled on the French-style charcutier, Appleton’s specialises in pork products such as cured whole hams, and cooked meats such as roast ham, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs and faggots.

“We’re keeping old butchery skills alive,” added Anthony.

“And it’s simply not good enough to sell what the supermarkets do any more.

“We’d rather be specialists; doing the best at what we do, rather than doing a bit of everything and not doing any of it well.”

Alongside fresh hams, cured meats and sausages, Appleton’s famous pork pies – made to an ancient family recipe which gives them their unique flavour – have locals queuing around Ripon Market Square, and the business sells more than 3,500 per week.

Anthony Sterne comes from a farming and butcher’s family and was formerly a development chef at Prêt A Manger before setting up Independent Foods.