Historic Ideal Butchery — a long-standing institution in Cambridge and a beloved part of East London’s heritage — is set to reopen its doors soon, ushering in a new era while preserving the legacy that generations have cherished since 1982.
The butchery’s new owner, Dion Crafford, in the industry for more than a decade, says the premises has been a cornerstone of local life.
“The building served as a butchery for years before Ideal Butchery was established,” Crafford said. “It traded under names such as Godwin’s Butchery or Eberhardt’s Butchery before Dez Oberem founded Ideal Butchery in 1982.”
Crafford and his family acquired the historic building two years ago and are determined to restore and revive what he calls “an East London institution”.
“I wanted to save this for all of East London to enjoy,” he said. “It’s our butchery version of a Shamrock Pie or a Friesland milkshake — something uniquely East London.”
The building, believed to have been constructed in the late 1880s, has undergone a meticulous restoration.
Originally a series of independent structures, the site has been consolidated and remodelled into a modern retail space that will house a super contemporary butchery and production facility.
“With the guidance of industry experts and the local municipality, we’ve given this grand old lady a facelift,” Crafford said.
“Internally, customers can expect a modern, streamlined shopping experience, a greater variety of products, and everything made in-house.”
Ideal Butchery’s relaunch is deeply personal for Crafford, who has strong roots in the Cambridge community.
“I’ve had family in the Cambridge schools since the early 1910s. My wife and I both matriculated from Cambridge High in 1992. I have fond memories of running to Ideal Butchery for meat as a child and being treated to a vienna by one of the employees.”
He said community pride underpins the project. The renovation has breathed new life into Queens Street, with the removal of dead trees and a clean-up of the area.
“We’ll be creating many jobs and providing the community with affordable, quality products. This is a small, family-owned and owner-managed business, which means customers will experience that personal touch,” Crafford said.
“We’ll still have all the original Ideal Butchery recipes, as well as having our own unique traditional recipes and processes. We will be making all our products in house, including biltong, cold-smoked Italian salamis, bacons, gammons, premium viennas, and Russians.”
Sourcing directly from local farmers, Crafford guarantees quality and freshness through strict hazard analysis & critical control points standards and personal oversight.
“We want to give the community an affordable alternative without compromising quality. This is a new chapter and a continuation of a legacy. We’ll have the traditional butchery feel — but in a modern, state-of-the-art retail space,” Crafford said.
The new Ideal Butchery will launch its official Facebook page soon, where customers can follow updates and get sneak peeks.
