A NEW farm shop in Bourton has finally opened a butchery counter at the request of its customers.

Toast the Cotswolds, which opened in Moore Road last summer, now offers a fresh meat counter with pork, lamb and chicken along with LoveMyCow beef.

Owner Anna MacCurrach who owns Tagmoor Farm, just outside Bourton, with her husband James, said since opening she has been asking for feedback from local customers and the most requested product was fresh meat.

As there has not been a butcher in the village for a number of years and with her husband being the farmer behind LoveMyCow beef, she said it all made perfect sense.

After many discussions around the kitchen table, with suppliers and the Environmental Health Officer, they were able to achieve what was required after some reorganisation within the shop.

“We are delighted to be able to add a fresh meat counter to the shop," said Mrs MacCurrach. "It was so highly sought after and customers were constantly asking if it was something we would do.

"We are very lucky to have Trevor Brock, a Bourton resident with over 30 years experience in the butchery trade, helping us out.

"It now means that we can offer fresh pork, lamb and chicken, all locally sourced where possible, alongside LoveMyCow beef".

Mr Brock will be in the shop on Saturdays and people are advised to order to avoid disappointment.

Toast the Cotswolds now offers meat boxes as well as their already very popular vegetable boxes that are delivered for free within the local area.

The shop stocks a wide range of items from local farmers and producers including vegetables fromDrinkwater’s, bread from Lower Lodge Bakery, cheeses from Simon Weaver and Crudges along with drinks from Bensons Totally Fruity, the Cotswold Brewing Company and the Cotswold Cider Company.

Since opening, Mrs MacCurrach said the shop had been received well by residents.

"Generally we've been received very well," she added. "A lot of the shops in the village are for tourists because we have a lot of them, we are for local people and supporting local producers.

"I'm really happy with it and our customer base is growing which is really good."