Lishman’s Butchers best in Britain

David and Emma Lishman receive their latest Britain's Best Butchers Shop award from the Institute of Meat’s Bill Jermey, joined by awards co-host comedian and magician Pete Firman, right.

Lishman’s Butchers & Charcutiers in Ilkley has been named Britain's Best Butchers Shop 2025 in annual awards run by Meat Management, the industry sector’s leading publication.

Father and daughter, David and Emma Lishman, only learned they had picked up the coveted accolade, one of the most prized in the meat trades industry, when attending the annual awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, co-hosted by comedian and celebrity magician Pete Firman. (Thurs, Sept 18)

“We didn't put ourselves forward for the award. I'm not sure who did, but we're chuffed to bits to have won. We’d just like to say a big thank you and pay tribute to the great team we have here at the shop, to all our fantastic suppliers and the hard-working companies who make Lishman's what it is,” enthused Emma.

She is also vice-chairman of The Q Guild, which represents quality butchers and independent meat retailers in the UK and was itself a finalist in the Best Trade Body category of the Meat Management Awards.

Over many years the Leeds Road outlet has bagged a shopful of trophies locally, regionally and nationally for itself and its products - and it’s not the first time Lishman’s has been voted the best in Britain, also winning Meat Trades Journal Butchers Shop of the Year back in 2017.

The latest coup follows hot on the heels of a trio of accolades for its charcuterie arm in this year’s Great Taste Awards, organised by the Guild of Fine Food and widely recognised as the world’s most influential food and drink accreditation scheme.