Sheepdrove Organic Farm Family Butcher
When Sheepdrove Organic Farm acquired and completely refurbished a butcher’s shop building just off Whiteladies Road in Bristol, they commissioned General Practice Design Consultants – where Ian Brice was a partner – to design the shopfront and sales area. The architect was Alison Turner and the main contractor John Perkins Construction.
There had been a butcher’s shop at this location for over a century and the building was now Grade II Listed. Ian Brice held detailed discussions with Planning and Conservation Officers at Bristol City Council to obtain consent to the sensitive proposals.
Permission was granted to an unusual high-level hanging sign by Richard Kindersley’s studio: a gilded sheep cast from a bespoke hand-sculpted original. A traditional hand-signwritten awning, raised and gilded fascia lettering and gilded signwriting were all added to the shopfront.
The previously cramped interior was opened up by relocating the full-height central staircase. A chilled, glazed cutting room and store were installed to add theatre and to give customers a clear view of, and confidence in, the butchery process, in accordance with the clients’ belief in transparency at every level.
Ian Brice liaised with a specialist manufacturer who made ceramic tiles to match the Victorian originals. Display units were manufactured in sycamore.
A second branch followed in London’s Maida Vale.
