CRANSTONS began life as a local butchers shop in the Cumbrian village of Kirkoswald, not far from Penrith. The business was founded in 1914 by great uncle Stan. Subsequently, James, father of the current directors, with his wife, Bunty, ran the business for many years, laying down a sound foundation for the future. During this time the shop, and the Cranstons name, became associated with quality and value among discerning local customers.

In 1981, following university and a spell in industry, Philip Cranston joined brother Roger in the family firm. In 1983, the famous King Street store in Penrith was opened and was swiftly followed in 1985, by the shop, and now Food Hall, in Fisher Street, Carlisle.

Expansion continued apace with the Front Street shop in Brampton opening in 1990, and the purchase of two stores in Hexham and Allendale in 1999.

December 2003 saw the opening of what has become the flagship store, Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall, where the firm’s drive to encourage the best in local quality produce is demonstrated by the breadth of foodstuffs on offer - almost all supplied by trusted local companies, or in some cases, individuals, operating from their farmhouse kitchen!

The business is still very much a family affair, with Philip handling the sales and marketing elements, and Roger controlling production and operations.

Both are committed to maintaining the firm’s role as a quality provider, and indeed a champion of local Cumbrian Food.

As Managing Director Philip Cranston commented recently:

‘People the length and breadth of Britain are questioning more and more where their food is coming from. There is a growing demand for good wholesome quality local food; it is a demand which we at Cranstons intend to continue to meet on behalf of all our customers, both local and on-line.

• We are Master butchers who pride ourselves on providing only the best in locally sourced Cumbrian meats
• We have developed long-standing partnerships with local farmers, to ensure maintenance of quality and assuredness of supply
• We also supply authentic, wholesome, and delicious foods sourced from a wide range of Cumbrian quality producers
• We pride ourselves on providing old-fashioned standards of customer service to all our customers, whether you shop on-line, or at one of our stores in Penrith, Carlisle, Brampton, Hexham and Allendale
• We offer award winning selections of specialist home-produced products, such as our famous Cumberland Sausage, and our celebrated, Dry Cured Back bacon.
• In January 2006 we were delighted to earn the title of North West Region Best Rural Retailer in a competition sponsored by the Countryside Alliance’.

Roger Cranston
(Commercial Director)

Philip Cranston
(Managing Director)