Four decades of quality meat and superb service at town’s top butchers

He worked a Saturday job alongside his dad Chris until going full time at 16 before opening Gavin’s Butchers in 1987.

Fast forward 37 years and the business has just bagged our latest Best of 2024 Award – St Helens’ Best Independent Shop or Business.

In April, we launched our Best of 2024 competition and we’ve given out 10 awards.

Best for Hair - At Gems

Best for Pies - Burchall's

Best for Nails - Nails by Mandy

Best for Roast Dinner - The Moss Bank

Best for Cocktails - Cinema Bar

Best for Breakfast - Shakey J's

Best for Fish and Chips - The Nelson Chippery

Best Beer Garden - Turks Head

Best for Fitness – Ashley James Ward at Award Health and Fitness

Best for Tattoos – White Rabbit Tattoo Studio

Voting for St Helens’ Best for Dessert is currently taking place and we’re also looking for nominations in our latest search - Best for Kids.

Vote for St Helens’ Best for Dessert 2024

Nominate your favourite for St Helens’ Best for Kids 2024

Ten top independent shops and businesses in St Helens made the shortlist for our latest Best of 2024 award and Gavin’s Butchers took this year’s coveted crown.

David Gavin, who has lived in St Helens all his life, opened Gavin’s Butchers on Baldwin Street in August 1987 with his dad Chris.

Gavin's Butchers opened on Baldwin Street in 1987

David, who is 59, said: “From the age of nine, I started a Saturday job doing butchery, working alongside my dad until I was 16.

“I then went full time until 1987 when we decided to open our own shop.

“Chris and Dave Gavin’s Butchers (father and son) in August 1987.

“When business picked up shortly after opening, my sister Janice joined the team.

“We knew there was a market for a good quality butchers.

“My dad and I thought we had the experience and the knowledge to open our own business and it’s turned out to be a great success.

“We have 37 years of serving fresh quality meat to members of the public as well as local businesses like pubs, cafés and restaurants as well as care homes.

“We’re open Tuesday to Saturday and offer a free home delivery service on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“All our ingredients are fresh and we have a five star food and hygiene rating.

“We have healthy choices – less than five per cent fat mince – and low fat sausages, which are pork and leak, pork and black pudding, garlic and peri peri as well as gluten-free products.”

Gavin's Butchers offer healthier options as well as gluten free products

What do customers think of Gavin’s Butchers? Why did they think the business should win our latest Best of 2024 award?

One nomination said: “Best meat and fantastic staff.

“Nothing too much trouble.”

David said: “All our customers get the personal touch.

“We offer great quality meats and expectational service.

“Freshly made sausages and burgers are for sale daily at the shop.

“I love engaging with customers old and new, and providing a good service alongside my team.

“I felt extremely proud to find out we’d been shortlisted for St Helens’ Best Independent Shop or Business 2024.

All sausages and burgers are made fresh each day

“My daughter Lauren told me that we had been nominated by some of our customers, which is fantastic.

“Anyone who knows me understands that I don’t use any type of social media, as I am very old school when it comes to technology!

“To hear that we’d won was overwhelming and I feel very proud of my team.

“I personally couldn’t thank my customers enough for their continued loyal support – it doesn’t go unnoticed and is much appreciated.

“I would also like to thank my team for serving the town - without them, it wouldn’t be possible.

“A special thank you goes to my sister Janice as well as Charlie, Darren and John.”

David and the team only use the best quality ingredients