In a week which has seen major UK retail chains such as Jessops, HMV and Blockbusters succumb to…read morethe recessions and changing shopping trends, much speculation has been made as to whether the local high street is still viable as a shopping destination However, if it gives local independent businesses a chance to flourish, that's a plus in my book Located in a parade of local shops near to my house, M&N is a proper down to earth butcher. The greeting may be gruff from some of the guys behind the counter but they can advise on what's good that day I come here mainly to get marrow bones, something it's hard to find in supermarkets. I had learned to love bone marrow in fine dining restaurants but then discovered that it's bone cheap (hehe) to buy and easy to cook - just roast in the oven at high temperature for 30-45 minutes Dig out the bone marrow, season, perhaps a little lemon if you like that and you've got a wonderful rich treat best served with some toasted bread I'm eyeing up some pig trotters I've spotted in the chilled cabinet but I'll have to pick a day that I'm feeling partocularly adventurous in the kitchen!

A proper butchers with a vast array of meats, from your traditional cuts to the old cuts of tongue…read moreand trotters. The staff are all very knowledgeable and able to assist with your cooking methods based on the meat you buy. They have a selection of frozen meats available and a wide range of sausages available. They have a car park next door to the shop but it does have limited space and I suggest you ask before you just park there!! All in all they can provide the cuts of meat you want at a reasonable price.

When I visited him last time he was busy, and there were two butchers well employed…read more This time the lone man said " Just look at it; the place is dead!". Well I had to agree to a point, but Sainsbury Local was not there last time. Its shame that local skillls are disappearing as fast as convenience ones are mushrooming.

Excellent meat, well sourced and Mr Eve is able to tell you about where his meat is sourced and…read moreslaughtered. He has excellent butchery skills and can advise on which cuts suit what type of cooking. His lamb kebabs marinated in mint are wonderful and his sausages are standard, fantastic butchers sausages.

Located next to to LIDL, Iceland is a purveyor of frozen foods aimed at the more budget-conscious…read moreshopper However, certain foods are actually meant to retain more nutrients if frozen immediately. Vegetables can actually be more nutritious frozen if the fresh stuff isn't that fresh You'll be surprised what sort of food you can get in here and how many of them can be cooked from frozen. I tend to have a frozen dessert or 2 in the freezer at home in case of unexpected company Ooh and ice creams of course :-)

Think the Peter Andre adverts have revamp the image of icelands! It's one of my favourite food…read moreshopping places as I know when I go shopping here I will not spend more than £30 which is not what I can say about most supermarkets! The only problem you need to have a huge freezer to take advantage of the great food selection there is here but my absolute favourite items are the rocket lollies, the salted caramel galati ice cream and the fresh meat balls! Their free shopping bags are a larger size and thicker bags than the other supermarkets which they deserve a thumbs up for not trying to save costs on bags that break!

Choo choo welcome to sausage town!…read more If meat is your crack, get to the Cronx and get a taste of cracking Krakow and other regional Polish produce! At the sausage bar they'll kindly let you try before you buy and they go to great 'lengths' to help you understand what's what. The gateaux and cake selections are also quite marvellous. I took an old school dark chocolate cherry gateaux to an Easter picnic and needless to say there were slim pickings when it came to having seconds. On another occasion a dense biscuity brick of a cheesecake was quite satisfactory among friends too! I promise you, you'll go wild in the aisles here and it's a great incentive to learn some Polish to find out what other potentially delicious treats are hiding behind the mysterious pretty packagings. I wouldn't want to offend anyone's Babcia but more of them ready made deli fresh pierogis to go are coming home with me next time!

Best supermarket in the whole of London. Quality food at affordable prices. You can on almost…read moreclassify everything as organic, and the best deli counter in the country. You do not have to speak Polish to shop here, everyone is welcome. The moment you walk in, there is a feeling of a cordial continental Europe. Get a Mleczko card and shop here daily, I do.

Paul has moved into a brand new shop next door to the old one now No. 17…read more Roy retired over a year ago ( hope he is having a great retirement! ). New website going online sometime this week ~ http://www.masterbutchersepsom.co.uk

These people provided the bangers I mean sausages for a recent barbie.read more

I ended up here by mistake after staying with my friend in Morden. It was early on a Saturday and I…read morehave to say that after the night I'd had I was rather reluctant to get out of bed. Well, it turns out it was worth it. This place is dedicated to local Farmers who are growing and raising the produce themselves. After reading 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' by Michael Pollan earlier this year (I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how the food gets on your table) I have developed a keen interest in buying my food in this way, and it appears so have a lot of other people as these kind of farmer's markets are increasing substantially in popularity. This market is held weekly in the grounds of a local school and has a very good choice of organic vegetables & fish as well as free range meat (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, sausages, bacon). You can also find buffalo mozzarella, fruit juices, cold cuts and yoghurt. The stall holders are very keen to explain how it may have been grown, reared and caught and although it's a little more expensive than your local supermarket the pay-off is taste, quality and ultimately your health.

Actually known as The Real Butchers - this is a welfare butcher with fabulous meat, will do you any…read morecut required, bone and roll your meat and also cook their own pies and pasties. Run by father and son team Roland and Lawrence Head, who will help you get the best from your meat. Not cheap but can trace every piece of meat they sell back to where it was actually out in pasture. Cannot be beaten - ever !