Top UK award for Northern Irish butchery and deli business

K&G McAtamney Butchery & Deli in Northern Ireland has won a major category award in the prestigious UK Butcher's Shop Awards.

The family business, which is based at Ballymena in county Antrim, has been named Northern Ireland Butcher Shop if the Year in the awards organised by the industry's Meat Trades Journal.

K&G McAtamney was established in 2000 by Kieran and Gordon McAtamney in Ballymena in 2000. The business was based on the experience of family experience in butchery stretching back to 1953, when Kieran's grandfather first opened a butchery shop at Kilrea in county Derry.

They have diversified into an extensive and successful deli business that offers freshly prepared meat and other food for any occasion.

Freshly prepared by qualified chefs and butchers using locally sourced produce, the entire range of fresh meats, fish, salads, sandwiches, ready meals & desserts are prepared and served by a knowledgeable team.

The award was presented at a celebration event in London. The industry reception and lunchtime ceremony saw the best in butchery come together and recognise and reward the top butchers across the country.

The annual Butcher's Shop of the Year awards reward excellence and innovation in butchery in independent butchers, farm shops, food halls and even purely online operations across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

In addition, they encourage the development of young talent coming into the trade through the Young Butcher of the Year award.