Aubrey Allen, a family-run butchers and deli in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, has been named the UK's best farm shop at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2026, beating out traditional agricultural regions like Yorkshire and Norfolk. The business also secured the title of Best Butcher for 2026 and is renowned for its exclusive Secret Supper Clubs.
Award-Winning Excellence
Sarah Russell, speaking on behalf of Aubrey Allen, expressed the team's delight: 'We have been entering this award for over a decade, and it's the one that has been eluding us. We are all so pleased.' The awards recognize high levels of service, product knowledge, innovation, and community involvement.
History and Evolution
The business began in 1933 when Aubrey Allen, a penniless orphan, opened his first shop in Hillfields, Coventry. During the war, the family pivoted to a taxi service, but by the 1970s, they were running seven shops across Coventry. The current Warwick Street location opened in the 1980s under Aubrey's son Peter. In the 2000s, his son Russell introduced charcuterie, ready meals, and dinner party menus. Oscar's French Steakhouse and Bistro opened across the street in 2004, followed by a butchery school in 2012 and an online shop.
The Secret Supper Club
Launched in 2017, the Secret Supper Club features a trestle table set in the shop's center with 24 seats. Sarah explained: 'Russell is well-traveled and gets inspiration from different places. The aim is to make customers feel part of an exclusive club. No one knows the menu in advance; people trust we will create something enjoyable.' The club runs three times a year on Friday nights, with guests bringing their own drinks. A waiting list of 40 people exists for the next event.
Community and Quality
Aubrey Allen supports the local community by donating food to a homeless shelter weekly and volunteering at Christmas. Customers earn loyalty points redeemable at both the shop and restaurant. The team regularly visits farmers to ensure top-quality meat. Sarah noted: 'The meat we sell is in the top one percent in the country. It matters that our customers get the best.'
Nigel Barden, chair of the awards, praised the business's dedication over four decades, saying: 'They demonstrate so much of what a retail food business needs to survive and thrive in today's challenging landscape.'
