Popular Handbridge butchers Ernest W Edge and Son have rounded off their award-winning 2015 with their most prestigious accolade yet – North of England Butcher’s Shop of the Year.

The respected family business was announced regional winner at the Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards ceremony in Leeds on Thursday (November 12), having beaten stiff competition from 150 shops.

Bruce Edge , who has run the shop for the past 23 years alongside Paul Bowley, Phillip Rowland and Steven Kennedy, said he was ‘over the moon’ to receive such recognition at the ‘Oscars for butchers’.

Bruce Edge and Paul Bowley at the Butcher's Shop of the Year Awards in Leeds on November 12
Bruce Edge and Paul Bowley at the Butcher's Shop of the Year Awards in Leeds on November 12

He attributes their success to attention to detail.

“We always ensure we only sell the very best quality,” he said.

“We have a very proud heritage going back to 1937 and we have never lost track of only selling the best and I would like to think that attention to detail has shone through to the judging panel.

“I am extremely proud of our fantastic team.”

Bruce dedicated the award to his father John Edge, who passed away in February .

John began working at Ernest W Edge and Son – his father’s shop – when he was 15-years-old and retired on his 65th birthday.

In August, they were awarded a two-star ‘outstanding’ rating for their Molasses Dry Cure Cheshire Streaky Bacon and a one-star ‘simply delicious’ rating for their Stuffed Tenderloin of Pork at the Great Taste Awards 2015.

Bruce and Paul with other winners
Bruce and Paul with other winners