Third generation of Melksham family business

Melksham family butchers, ID Newman and Son, is soon to become ID Newman and Granddaughter.

The granddaughter of the shop’s founder, Ivor Newman, is taking over the popular shop next month from her parents, Michael and Debbie Newman.

Ivor, who sadly passed away in 2007, opened the shop in Church Street in 1969. His son, Michael, entered the family firm straight from school and was later joined by his wife, Debbie.

Now their daughter, Laura, and her husband, Phil, will become one of the few businesses in the town to be run by a third generation.

“We’re sorry to be retiring but really proud to be passing the business on to Laura and Phil,” said Michael.

For over 45 years Newmans have been well known for their range of prime quality beef, pork, lamb, chicken and cooked meats and home-made sausages and burgers.

More recently, with Laura and Phil joining the business ten years ago, they have extended the range to include Phil’s home-made pies and pasties which have become a big hit in the town.

“The world is changing and we’ve tried to move with the times,” continued Michael. “People today don’t have so much time to cook and so we introduced our range of pies and pasties and other ready-to-eat meals.

“But our aim has always been to stick to traditional values and I’m sure that’s something Laura and Phil will continue.

“Customers come from far and wide, particularly for the home-made sausages and other home-made and home-cooked products like burgers and faggots.

“The secret is simply using the best ingredients. If you don’t put good ingredients in, you won’t get good sausages out.

“All our sausages are hand-made – not mass produced and a lot of care goes into making them.

“And that’s something that Phil has adopted with this range of pies and pasties. He only uses the best ingredients and they really are the best pies around.”

Michael and Debbie would like to say a big thank you to all the customers who have supported them over the years.

“I’ve worked in here since I left school and many of our customers have become good friends,” added Michael. “When we arrived in Church Street, virtually all the businesses were retails shops. There was a jewellers, an ironmongers, Bob Missen’s bike shop, a fishmongers, RJ Edmunds, Wisbeys and WH Smiths. Now we’re one of the few shops still here.

“Times have changed and it’s now time for us to pass the business on to the next generation. We will miss the fantastic customers we’ve got to know over the years but we won’t miss getting up at 5am every morning!”