Wednesbury is home to a large supermarket, but frankly, in the financial times we're in, the weekly shop is an expensive necessity many cannot afford. Wednesbury is also home to an abundance of independent, value for money stores, in particular Walker Meats butchers.

Walker meats
Buying groceries at the supermarket isn't what it used to be - most of the food is either imported or runs the risk of infection. In relation to not-too-recent news, I've convinced my friends and family that supermarkets aren't the best places for their weekly shop, but their local High Street. My parents live on either sides of Birmingham, so I've had to be quite inventive with my supermarket replacement stores, but in Wednesbury I didn't have to look far to find a far better alternative.
Walker Meats butchers came to Wednesbury about two years ago, and started a revolution for better eating this side of the Midlands. Instead of waiting for customers Walker Meats had a microphone. I remember them causing a commotion in the street as people stopped, stared, and then went in for a butchers. Two years on they're the most successful (and still well-priced), butchers in town.

Walker meats
The winning recipe is the fact they sell local, popular cuts of meat, at low prices, and the owner and apprentice are really, quite lovely. My Mother always comments on how she had a 'nice chat' with the butcher about the eggs she was buying, or the deal on the pork joint she got. Bartering is part of the service, and it always produces a giggle.

Beef
They sell poultry; namely chicken and turkey. game; veal, red meat; pork, beef all in the familiar cuts of steak, fillets, chops, brisket, thighs, and leg quarters. They also sell a variety of eggs; local and farm reared hens and ducks lay fresh eggs which come in standard cardboard dozen egg boxes. I recommend the duck ones - they're big, and poach beautifully.

Free range hen and duck eggs
Aside from the meat Walker Meats sell traditional accompanying sides; grey peas, pork scratchings and chip-shop size sauces like garlic mayonnaise and chilli-infused tomato ketchup.

Grey peas
It's the service that is the real cincher in making the switch between locally bought goods, and supermarket groceries. I've found you cannot beat the service from independent shops, and the Walker Bros' are no different. Owner John Walker is truly one happy chap.
This family business is run like a family business, I consider John a friend, I've got to know when they get their egg deliveries, and if I need pre-seasoned meat I know they'll keep me some aside just before they close. You can call the butcher and place an order, so if you know you're feeding five mouths they'll have the meat ready to go, when you come in.
I'm forever trying to make my meals more interesting, and Walker Meats offer tips on frying, basting and roasting, which always comes in handy. I treat John's word like gospel when it comes to steak because who knows the meat better than the butcher? Well then.