A butcher in Telford has expanded the range of alternative meats it offers after a surge in customers over Christmas.

Bosses at G. N. Badley & Sons , in Gibbons Road, Trench, has introduced python fillet, frog’s legs and goat to the range after ostrich proved a popular choice for the festive season.

Senior butcher Lee Evans said: “We have offered a range of alternative meats for a while such as kangaroo, crocodile and springbok.

“For the past nine months or so the alternative meats haven’t been so popular - until Christmas.

“We sold 20 packs of ostrich fillet and ostrich burger in just a couple of days so we have once again listened to our customers and we are expanding our range.

“We’ve never had python fillet, frog’s legs and goat before so I’m interested to see how it will sell.”

The python fillet is sourced by supplier Kezie from EU approved farms in Vietnam and its nutritional value includes over 40g of protein and less than 3g of fat per 100g.

Badley’s suggest the snake fillet is best marinated in a citrus based marinade and then grilled or kebabed.

The goat meat is also sourced in the EU, from Spanish farms, which suppliers say is becoming one of the most popular products with high UK demand. It can be cooked in slow cooked recipes such as goat curry.

The frogs legs are from farms in either France or Vietnam, depending on availability.

“It is interesting to see the reaction we get from customers,” Mr Evans added.

“We are happy to supply other meats if we don’t already do so and we are able to source them from a reputable and traceable source.

“We have had orders from Merseyside, Leeds, Dorset and Sheffield in the last six months, so it is not only the people of Telford we looking to please.”

It means the full range of alternative meats on offer at the family butcher include bilson, crocodile, kangaroo, veal, snails, bore, zebra, venison and diced mixed game.

The meats are available in a variety of forms such as sausages, burgers, fillets and rump.

The can be ordered on the butcher’s website or bought in the shop, but some will be special order only so customers are encouraged to check.

Managing director Simon Badley, whose dad Keith set up the company in 1976, said they wanted to offer customers something new.

He said: “We are always looking at how we can improve the business.

“Our online ordering system proves very popular and we’ve introduced an app and meat boxes too - all coming from customer feedback.

“We may be 40 years old as a business this year but we are always looking forward and finding ways to modernise and make sure we are giving the customer what they want.

“We believe we are the only butcher in the Telford borough which offers these alternative meats and as a local family run business with decades of experience it’s something we’re very proud of.

“It may be that people simply want to try something different or that they have eaten these alternative meats abroad and want to share that with their family and friends.”
Simon now runs the butchers with his mother Kay after Keith Badley sadly passed away.

For more information on the latest products from G. N. Badley & Sons call 0808 901 2110 or click here.