It’s the end of an era in Keswick with news that one of the town’s best-loved and most famous shops is closing down.
Bryan “Bomber” Thomason and his brother Malcolm opened their butchers and deli in Station Street in 2004. Specialising in locally-sourced meat and a mouth-watering range of delicious homemade products, Thomasons also became a hub for local gossip and banter.
Bryan, 59, said the decision to close at the end of August has been tough to take, but after nearly 20 years it is time for a change.
“We’ve loved every minute of it, but it’s been full-on and it takes its toll,” he said. “We’re going to take a break before deciding what to do next, but one thing we’ll always miss is our brilliant and loyal customers, who have stuck with us through thick and thin and made it all worthwhile.”
Originally from Great Broughton, near Cockermouth, Bomber and Malcolm – who is younger by just 13 months – now live on the same housing estate in Dearham.
During their younger days the brothers were decent rugby league players, with Malcolm playing semi-professionally including a spell with Carlisle Border Raiders, but a serious injury to his leg finished his rugby career.
He then began working as a Saturday boy in a butchers shop near his home when he was 14, but straight from school the brothers began working for Keswick businessman Keith Graham at the Caterite food and drink supplies company when it was based at Southey Hill Industrial Estate.
They moved with the company when the Lakes Foodstore was built in Keswick’s Tithebarn Street, which was taken over by North West supermarket chain EH Booth & Son in 2002.
Almost all Thomasons’ lamb and pork are produced in Cumbria, while the deli side of the business concentrates on homemade products including 15 varieties of pies, along with quiches and pasties all made on the premises.
The team also roast their own hams, make a range of pates and produce prepared meals including lasagnes and the very popular traditional Cumbrian tattie pots.
