catering butchers
Est. 1936

Quality catering meat suppliers

From farm to your table

Discover Our Story
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The John Sheppard Butchers team
About Us

A Family
Business

Our story began in 1936 when Albert Sheppard opened the first Sheppard family butcher's shop. Albert was the eldest of three brothers: Albert, William, and John. During the Second World War, William and John served in the British Army. Following their demobilisation, they returned home and joined Albert in the family business.

Together, the brothers helped build a strong reputation for quality and service, working side by side until Albert's death in 1962. Following this, a new company, Sheppard Bros, was formed and successfully traded under that name for the next ten years. In 1972, the business entered a new chapter with the launch of John Sheppard Butchers, continuing the family's commitment to serving customers with the highest standards of quality and care.

Our People

From retail to contract catering

During the 1960s and 1970s, Britain's eating habits were changing, and John Sheppard recognised the opportunities these shifts presented. As demand from the catering and hospitality sectors grew, the business began to evolve from its traditional retail roots.

The first step was to adapt the existing retail premises to serve a dual purpose, supplying both local customers and an expanding portfolio of catering clients. As the wholesale side of the business continued to flourish, a dedicated facility was established in 1967, creating the company's first standalone premises focused exclusively on serving catering and corporate customers.

This strategic move laid the foundations for the business's future growth and strengthened its position as a trusted supplier to the hospitality industry.

Our master butchers at work
Quality meat preparation
Our Values

John Sheppard today

In 1978, the company relocated to its current premises, marking another significant milestone in its development. To support continued growth and maintain the highest standards, the site underwent a major refurbishment and modernisation programme in 2002, bringing the facility up to full EC export standards.

Since then, the business has expanded further through the acquisition of neighbouring buildings, increasing the total site footprint to over 24,000 square feet and providing the capacity needed for future growth and investment.

Despite its expansion, the company remains firmly rooted in its family values, with six members of the Sheppard family actively involved in the business today. From its beginnings as a local butcher's shop, the company has grown into a trusted supplier of high-quality meat and poultry products to a diverse range of customers, including leading hotels and restaurants, national catering organisations, schools, universities, sports stadia, hospitals, social services departments, bakeries, and food manufacturers.

Supported by a modern fleet of more than 35 refrigerated vehicles, we deliver fresh meat and poultry products throughout the majority of England and Wales, maintaining the quality, reliability, and personal service that have been at the heart of the business for generations.

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Illustrated portrait of Richard Sheppard, Managing Director
Meet the Team

Richard Sheppard

Managing Director

How long have you worked for the company?

My family have been in the industry for 80 years, and I have been involved since the day I left school in 1968 at the age of 16. My first recollections are of visits to suppliers' farms and trying to assist my elder cousins in the shop when I was about seven. I worked in the business during school holidays and at weekends, and held most butchery skills before I had left school.

What does your job role include?

My role is extremely varied. Over the years you acquire numerous skillsets through experience as an employer and businessman. We have a very strong team at John Sheppard, with experienced, customer-focused people in key positions, and the next generation of family members now taking important roles within the business.

That gives me the opportunity to take a more strategic view of the direction and policies the company needs to develop, while never losing sight of our core values. The industry has become highly sophisticated across procurement, preparation and delivery, but at the heart of what we do remains the same purpose: supplying great products from good UK suppliers to a diverse customer base, produced in a clean, safe environment by a motivated and skilled team.

Hobbies
Family, football, following Bristol City and Manchester United, travelling in Europe and meals with friends.
Favourite cut of meat
Roasted sirloin, Sunday lunch.
Illustrated portrait of John Sheppard, Director
Director

John Sheppard

Director

John Sheppard

How long have you worked for the company?

Approximately 20 years or so. Being very much a family business, and also my namesake, I have worked in all aspects of the business since the age of 11 or 12, making boxes on a Saturday morning for pocket money.

From there I worked during school and university holidays across cleaning, order picking, delivery driving, butchery, production and telesales. I have worked full time in the business since 2006, and going forward will be helping the business to expand, innovate and improve for many years to come.

What does your job role include?

I am involved in all aspects of the business on a day-to-day basis, including managing around a dozen key accounts across the catering trade, business development, recruitment, procurement of raw material, product development and daily management responsibilities. I am keen to learn all aspects of our business.

Hobbies
Playing sports, particularly football, golf and boxing.
Favourite cut of meat
At home, chicken fillets for their versatility. If out to dinner, rib eye steak.
Illustrated portrait of Adam Forrest-Jones, Director
Director

Adam Forrest-Jones

Director

Adam Forrest-Jones

How long have you worked for the company?

My first job here was making the tea when I was 11 years old. I started working full time for the family business after graduating from university in 2004.

What does your job role include?

My role is to manage several key accounts and ensure the service level is continually upheld. I also work on new business development and dovetail into other parts of the business as and when needed. Every day is different, and that is one of the things I enjoy the most.

Hobbies
I am a huge sports fan, but mainly enjoy playing football and squash. I support the best team in the world, Bristol City.
Favourite cut of meat
It has to be rib eye. Nice amount of fat and cooked medium rare.
The Farm

Quality Starts at
the Source

At John Sheppard, quality is built on trusted partnerships. We source our meat from carefully selected farms and suppliers across the South West and the wider UK, ensuring the highest standards of welfare, provenance, and consistency.

Every product we supply is fully traceable, allowing us to maintain complete transparency and deliver premium-quality meat that our customers can rely on day after day.

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Our Standards

Traceable.
Transparent.
Trusted.

30+
Years Experience

Three decades of expert butchery serving the catering trade.

UK+
British First

British sourced wherever possible, supported by trusted approved suppliers when needed.

Family Run

Proudly independent. Personal service you won't find elsewhere.

The Craft

Prepared To Your Specification

Every order is prepared for the kitchen it is going to. Our butchers work to customer specifications, portion requirements and packing instructions so each delivery is ready for service.

From daily catering orders to larger contract supply, the focus is consistency: accurate cuts, clear labelling, controlled handling and chilled delivery.

  1. 01

    Specification Received

    Order requirements, cuts, weights and packing notes are checked before preparation begins.

  2. 02

    Prepared By Butchers

    Products are cut, trimmed and portioned by skilled butchers for professional catering use.

  3. 03

    Checked And Packed

    Orders are checked for consistency, packed clearly and labelled ready for the kitchen team.

  4. 04

    Delivered Chilled

    Prepared orders move through cold-chain handling and out for reliable chilled delivery.

Cut to order Portions and specifications matched to your menu.
Packed for kitchens Clear handling, labelling and practical catering packs.
Built for repeat orders Consistent supply for daily service and contract catering.
Our Range

Beef

Situated in the heart of the West Country, we are surrounded by quality beef suppliers with whom we have built strong relationships over the last 80 years. Thanks to the region's rich pastureland and favourable farming conditions, we are able to source beef of exceptional and consistent quality.

All beef procured is Farm Assured as a minimum standard and is selected for its succulence, tenderness and flavour. We offer a comprehensive range of beef products to suit all requirements, from everyday catering essentials such as mince and diced beef to premium cuts including fillet steaks.

For clients seeking premium products, we offer an award-winning range of dry-aged beef, matured on the bone to enhance flavour and tenderness. Halal beef is also available on request.

Typical supply

  • Sirloin, ribeye and fillet
  • Topside, silverside and brisket
  • Diced beef and mince

Prepared for

  • Steak menus
  • Carvery and banqueting
  • Burgers and batch cooking
Seasonal & Year Round

Lamb

We source the majority of our lamb from Dorset. Red Tractor accredited as standard, our lamb comes from prime West Country flocks, all of which are grass-fed.

West Country lamb is renowned for its excellent flavour, tenderness and superior eating quality. We offer a full range of products, from traditional roasting joints to bespoke French-trimmed racks of lamb.

For clients requiring premium products, we supply the exclusive Dorset Crown range, produced from carefully selected carcasses and matured on the bone for enhanced flavour and tenderness. Halal lamb is also available on request.

Typical supply

  • Legs, shoulders and shanks
  • Racks, chops and cutlets
  • Diced lamb and mince

Prepared for

  • Roasts and events
  • Fine dining portions
  • Curries, stews and pies
Fresh Pork & Staples

Pork

The majority of our pork is sourced from Red Tractor accredited producers across the West Country and the Midlands.

Pork's versatility and excellent value have made it increasingly popular with customers year after year. Alongside our range of fresh pork cuts, we offer an extensive selection of fresh and frozen pork sausages.

Our fresh sausages are hand-linked, Red Tractor accredited, and available in a variety of flavours including Pork & Leek, Pork & Chilli, Cumberland, Lincolnshire and many more. We also supply a comprehensive range of cured gammon products.

Typical supply

  • Loins, chops and tenderloin
  • Belly, shoulder and leg
  • Sausages, bacon and gammon

Prepared for

  • Breakfast service
  • Roasts and pulled pork
  • Schools and contract catering
Whole Birds & Portions

Poultry

We source the majority of our poultry from Oxfordshire and Norfolk, where leading Red Tractor accredited producers provide high-quality fresh poultry throughout the year.

Our skilled butchers further process whole birds into bespoke cuts tailored to our clients' requirements. Skinless boneless fillets, bone-in supremes, oyster-cut chicken legs, boneless thighs and chicken wings are all available and can be prepared to your exact specification.

Full traceability is provided across all products supplied, and we offer a variety of seasonings and marinades to add value and meet specific menu requirements.

Typical supply

  • Whole chickens
  • Breast, thigh and drumstick
  • Turkey, duck and seasonal birds

Prepared for

  • Daily menu prep
  • Roast dinners
  • Portioned batch orders
Speciality & Supporting Lines

Game & Other Products

Alongside our core beef, lamb, pork and poultry range, we supply a broad selection of speciality products to help customers build seasonal menus, support events and manage broader catering requirements through one trusted supplier.

Our game offering is available seasonally and can include venison, pheasant, partridge and other lines depending on availability. Products can be supplied prepared to specification, with advice on suitable cuts, portioning and menu planning where required.

We also offer supporting products such as burgers, meatballs, sausages, stuffing, cured products, marinades and menu-specific preparations. Bespoke pack sizes and special-order lines can be arranged for customers with particular requirements.

Game

  • Venison
  • Pheasant and partridge
  • Seasonal availability

Prepared

  • Burgers and meatballs
  • Sausages and stuffing
  • Marinated options

By request

  • Menu-specific cuts
  • Special pack sizes
  • Seasonal planning
Delivery

Reliable Supply.
Every Time.

Our refrigerated fleet delivers fresh to your kitchen on schedule, so you can focus on what you do best — cooking. Early morning deliveries mean your prep starts on time, every day.

Next-Day Delivery

Order before 2pm for guaranteed next-day delivery to your kitchen.

Flexible Order Sizes

From single portions to full pallet orders — we scale with your needs.

Dedicated Account Manager

A single point of contact who knows your business and your needs.

Temperature Controlled

Full cold chain maintained from our facility to your delivery point.

Our Customers

Trusted by Kitchens
Across the South West

We supply a wide range of professional kitchens, from independent restaurants and hotels to schools, care homes and contract caterers.

Distribution

Supplying Kitchens
Across the Region

Select a county on the map to view the delivery area name.

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Sourcing & Sustainability

Locally minded.
Efficiently operated.

Responsible purchasing, lower-impact operations and practical investment.

Our approach starts with careful purchasing from local, regional and UK producers wherever possible, supported by full product traceability. Across the business, we continue to reduce unnecessary miles, improve energy efficiency and invest in practical changes that support customers, suppliers and our local community.

Responsible sourcing from British farmland and local suppliers
01

Responsible Sourcing

We support local, regional and UK farming wherever practical, procuring raw materials as close to our site or the final customer as possible. Full traceability back to farm helps customers understand provenance and buy with confidence.

Energy efficient refrigerated storage and delivery operation
02

Smarter Distribution

Our refrigerated fleet is managed with efficiency in mind, including Euro VI compliant vehicles, route planning software and vehicle tracking. Carefully planned deliveries and supplier back-loading where possible help reduce unnecessary food miles while maintaining cold-chain control.

Solar panels installed on the John Sheppard Butchers facility roof View across the solar panel installation on the facility roof
03

Energy & Waste Reduction

We have partnered with Bristol Energy Cooperative on solar panels across our roof space, alongside improvements such as remote refrigeration monitoring, LED lighting, reduced-plastic vacuum pack bags and regular recycling of cardboard, office waste, tins, plastic and glass.

Standards & Accreditations

Recognised for
Quality & Safety

Our accreditations reflect our unwavering commitment to food safety, animal welfare, and quality assurance at every stage of production.

Get In Touch

Ready to Work
Together?

Whether you're setting up a new account or want to discuss your specific requirements, our team is ready to help. Get in touch and we'll get back to you within the hour.

Location
Unit 5-7 Ashley Trading Estate
Ashley Parade
Bristol, BS2 9XS
Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed
🏆 30+ Years Trading
🇬🇧 British First
❄️ Cold Chain

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