Frodsham Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

Over the last couple of months, we have been talking to some of these local businesses and organisations for our 'Up Close in Frodsham' series.

This week, we chatted to Ian Crawford, owner of Alan Pickup Butchers Shop.

Alan Pickup, with its wide range of quality meats, and the largest selection of fresh game in the area, is a firm favourite with local residents.

Established in the 1950s in Chester Market, this family business was initially run by Ian's father, who soon opened a shop on Foregate Street.

For 20 years, Alan Pickup was a familiar fixture under the Eastgate Clock, before the shop moved to Frodsham in 1999, to be more accessible to customers.

Ian joined the business straight from school, and hasn't looked back. A keen foodie himself, he enjoys sharing his interest with others.

"Our family was always food oriented. Some people eat to live, but I definitely live to eat!" he says.

He also loves the social aspect of his work, saying: "I love Frodsham and its people."

This year, Ian has been pleased to see that the coronavirus crisis has occasioned a renewed emphasis on supporting small traders.

"It's important that people shop local and put money back into Frodsham," he says.

"We're very lucky here in that we have two good butchers, a grocers, [Hales], and the Devonshire Bakery, all close together," meaning that people can complete much of their food shop without having to visit a big supermarket.

Noticing an increased demand for his products, Ian has recently set up a free home delivery service to Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Manley, Runcorn, Crowton, Chester and Tarporley, and is building an online shop where customers can choose their meat.

He is now also taking Christmas orders, and has a huge range of festive favourites available.

These include:

• Bronze free range turkeys

• Boneless turkey rolls

• Free range geese

• Venison

• Gammons

• Mrs Darlington's chutneys and pickles.

But be quick! This is only while stocks last.

You can also get your hands on your Burns Night haggis, ready for January 25th.

You can follow Alan Pickup Butcher Shop on Facebook and Twitter.