Jon Thorner’s supply locally sourced meats and fine foods throughout Somerset farm shops, butchery counters and many other stockists throughout the South of England. What a glorious day it was, the countryside was slowly thawing from a two week freeze, there was a clear blue sky and the sun was shining as I entered one of my favourite places to buy Venison and Lamb, award winning farm shop and butchers Jon Thorners.
As I walked across the car park I was greeted by the wonderful aromas of food being cooked. It may have been the food being cooked in the brand new Jon Thorners cafe, the Coffee Den or perhaps it was one of the delicious, award winning home-made pies, being cooked by their qualified chef, ready to go on to the shop floor. I met with the owner Jon Thorner and Head of Marketing Pamela Evans, and what a busy place it was. Jon is very hands on and in the thick of things, and with it being Christmas time, the telephones were ringing around the office, with I dare say, Turkeys, Geese and other Christmas meats being sought here and there!
What makes Jon Thorner’s business so unique and special, let alone successful for over 30 years, is partly down to the business philosophy-which is to provide local produce, maintain relationships with the farmers and give excellent customer service with expert knowledge. This ensures customers keep coming back for more, time and time again.
Jon’s business started as a single farm shop over 30 years ago, and now the business has grown to include 6 butchery counter franchises, a home-made food range, fresh meat and home-made foods supplier to over 50 Somerset schools, hotels, restaurants and over 100 retail outlets, a fishing lake and a café! Jon Thorner specialise in selling quality meats and poultry, fine foods, such as cheese, dairy products, fish, grocery items, home-made pies, quiches, ready meals, frozen foods, gifts and drinks. It’s the real deal at Jon Thorner’s, plus you can get expert advice from one of their many qualified master butchers on site. You can now find Jon Thorner’s butchery counters at the following locations.
- Bridge Farm Shop in Pylle
- Farrington’s Farm Shop at Farrington Gurney
- White Row Country Foods at Beckington
- Frome Valley Farm Shop in Frampton Cotterell
- Hare Hatch Sheeplands near Reading
- Street Co-operative
- Radstock Co-operative
There are 30 independent shops which stock Jon Thorner’s products in North Dorset and Somerset, and a further 100 outlets across from Cornwall to Kent.
Jon Thorner’s is a major employer, employing 110 staff. They use 25 suppliers within a 10 mile radius, how’s that for your food miles and Carbon foot print! They also have a qualified Chef on board the team in their specialist kitchen, cooking up the delicious and varied Jon Thorner’s home-made range, which started back in 2006 and is a major success to the business, with their many dishes including award winning pies, ready meals and cakes.
Jon Thorner’s have regular Special Offers and Saver Pack deals, so pop in store and don’t miss out! At the Bridge Farm Shop they have a Loyalty Card Scheme for customers; receive points for every £1 spent and use these points to purchase items at the farm shopWednesday is a great day for Senior Citizens at the Bridge Farm Shop; they offer you 5% off your shopping bill and if you head over to the Coffee Den they have a special 2 course menu for just £5.95. Save money on your shopping and enjoy a great meal!
Talking of the new café, please pop in to the Coffee Den. The space has been cleverly designed with an excellent choice in interior design, a well thought out upstairs section (my favourite), with relaxing chairs and openness to talk in peace. The menu is varied, and you know you’ll be getting the highest quality produce. There is ample free parking.
