R J Balson & Son is a high-street butcher in the market town of Bridport, Dorset. According to the Institute for Family Business, it is the oldest continually trading family business in the United Kingdom.[1] It has been in the Balson family since 1515[2] when Robert Balson rented a market stall on Bridport Shambles.[2]
Since 1892 its butcher's shop has been located at 9 West Allington, Bridport,[1] not far from its original location.[3]
It was featured in the BBC Four television programme Hidden Histories: Britain’s Oldest Family Businesses, broadcast on 15 January 2014.[2][4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Dorset butchers is 'oldest family business in UK'". BBC News Dorset. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
- ^ a b c Waters, Florence (14 January 2014). "What keeps a family butcher in business for 500 years?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ "History". R J Balson & Son. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ Wallis, Lucy (15 January 2014). "Business tips from UK's oldest family firms". BBC News. Retrieved 15 January 2014.