Operations restart at rescued online meat retailer

North Yorkshire online butcher, Farmison & Co, which was acquired out of administration last week by a consortium led by ex-Asda CEO Andy Clarke, has confirmed it is beginning a phased re-opening of operations.

A selection of heritage breeds will go on sale online, with more ranges gradually brought back to the company’s website over the weeks ahead.

Its Ripon shop and click-and-collect location, ‘Cut by Farmison’, will also re-open later this week.

After a certification inspection at its Ripon headquarters, the Food Standards Agency has given Farmison the green light to restart operations.

The business says it has also re-engaged key leaders in operations, supply and its butchery department – part of a plan to re-recruit over 50 people over the course of the coming months.

And it has obtained commitments from farming partners across the north of England, that they will continue to supply grass-fed, heritage breed meat.

The meat retailer was acquired by a consortium led by well-known Yorkshire retailer Andy Clarke and Chilli Marketing’s Gareth Whittle, Christian Barton and Kieron Barton.

Clarke, who is the new executive chairman, said: “I want to give a massive ‘thank you’ to the Farmison team who’ve acted with incredible speed to bring the business back to life – and of course to our farmers across Yorkshire and the North, who are determined to support the business get back on its feet.

“We’ve been absolutely bowled over by the messages of support from colleagues, customers and suppliers since taking ownership of the business.

“It will be some weeks yet before we have our full ranges back online, but we thank each and every one of the customers who’ve sent us those messages of encouragement and support over the past few weeks. It means the world to the whole Farmison team.

“We look forward to serving them once more in the days, weeks and months ahead.”