History

50+ successful years for John Laking.  100+ years in business.

Lakings of Louth is one of Lincolnshires most popular and indeed well-established family butchers, with its roots going back to 1908.  Offering the highest quality meats and pastries, the shop has always had a loyal customer base and subsequently has earned a reputation of which it is proud.

Behind the success of this local business is of course the Laking family and today the day to day running of the firm is the responsibility of John Laking. Following in his grandfathers and then his fathers footsteps, current owner John Laking was the 3rd generation to join the firm and on the 17th September 2001, he celebrated 50 years of working full-time in his family business, at the same premises where the shop stands today 33 Eastgate, Louth.

Robert Laking, Johns grandfather, set up the firm in 1908, with a shop on Broadbank/Cisterngate in the town. A second premises was opened in the 1920s at 71 Eastgate, followed by the opening of the existing premises in 1935. By the late 40s and 50s, Johns father, Ron Laking had taken the helm of the business, and his wife Flo kept the butchers shops running throughout the war.

Soon the Broadbank shop was closed and the Lakings continued to own and operate the two shops at opposite ends of Eastgate. From the age of 10, John Laking began to help his father, delivering meat locally. But it wasn't until 1951, almost ten years later that he started to work full time at 33 Eastgate.

John never actually worked for his father Ron, who still managed 71 Eastgate, and most of his knowledge of the meat trade was gain from hands-on experience.

When John began to work for the family firm, meat rationing had only just ended. At that time, Lakings was a pork butchers and, in addition to supplying, he had also started to produce sausages and pork pies. In fact, the same recipe for Lakings sausages is still in use today!

After John had taken over the business from his father, he decided to to bring the entire operation together at 33 Eastgate, closing the other premises. Since the outset, and continuing today Lakings has always produced all of its own foods on site, always buying meat from local farmers.

John comments, "We still buy meat from the grandsons of the farmers whom my grandfather bought from! As a result, we have known where our meat is sourced, long before the introduction of traceablitity and new legislation"

Today, Lakings can be widely regarded as an institution and is in fact the oldest shop and indeed oldest family business still to retain the original family name.

Lakings of Louth has gradually expended its range and extended the shop which now covers three premises to the rear of 33 Eastgate, down Nichol Hill. The shop sell a full range of beef, pork, lamb, poultry and game, bacon and sausages as well as its own home-made pastries such as sausage rolls, pork pies and Cornish pasties. Lakings also sell home-made pizza and pies: 20 different cooked meats: home-made coleslaw, potato salad and an increasing number of ready meals, all prepared on the premises. Fresh desserts have also been added to the range of products.

John is still very much involved with the day to day running of the business and is at the shop most days. Whilst many customers choose to shop in supermarkets, John is confident that there will always be a place for the traditional family pork butcher, particularly in Louth where Lakings is highly regarded, well-known and extremely popular.

In fact, Lakings popularity and status as a butcher is widespread and John has now introduced mail order, supplying products to customers throughout the UK. Alternatively, the shop sees many dedicated customers visiting from as far away as Hampshire to stock up three times a year with Lakings of Louth produce!

John is indeed dedicated to his trade and his involvement in the farming and agricultural industry has always been apparent. For 30 years, John has been an active member of the Royal Smithfield Club. In 2001 he was the President of the Club and look forward to its biennial event, the Royal Smithfield Show, held at Earls Court at previous shows, John has been Chief Carcass Steward and Judge of the Supreme Championship. The carcass section has now been taken out of the show at Earls Court and instead the Festival of Meat is held within Smithfield Market. The festival gives a boost the farming industry.

Lakings shop has inviting green and gold facade and an extended interior, displaying more local produce such as chutneys, sauces, biscuits and preserves. The sandwich bar was our latest addition, proving very popular for the purchasing of hot meat sandwiches. Also available are salad pots made up to our customer requirements. Snack and cold drinks are also available.

The success continues as Lakings very own Lincolnshire Stuffed Chine continues to win awards year on year.

John Lakings hard work and commitment has made Lakings of Louth one of the county's most popular and successful butchers; a shop where customers return time and time again.