A Bromley man is keeping family tradition alive by opening a butcher's and deli in Sundridge Park.

James Darbourne, 27, of Cambridge Road, has butchery in his blood.

His father has run a meat wholesaler stall in Smithfield market, Farringdon, for the last 39 years and Mr Darbourne worked in Smithfield for nine years from when he was 18.

Now he has started his own business. Larder is a butcher’s and deli and was due to open today (Wednesday) on Plaistow Lane.

Larder will provide a butchery and delicatessen service. Mr Darbourne is working with producers like Neal’s Yard Dairy and Canon and Canon charcuterie.

Mr Darbourne said: “Butchery is coming back in trend.

“Everybody is now switched on to high-welfare, locally-produced meat. It goes through everything we do. We have visited all our producers.

“Last Thursday, we lifted the blinds up and saw the shop from the outside for the first time. All our hard work came together.”

As well as starting Larder, Mr Darbourne runs a wholesale business, and he has relied on the help of his wife Amy and her mother Clair Carlin.

He said: “They have been there for me.

“My wife Amy is very good, she used to be a PA in the city so she is great with the paper work, making sure the emails are done and speaking with clients and customers.

“Because we were running the wholesale, there were plenty of sleepless nights and working 20 hours a day. We’ve pushed back the opening three times.

“I’m looking forward to opening the doors and letting everybody from the area come in and see the hard work we have done.”

Larder will be holding a launch event on Saturday October 14. People can taste their products from 8am to 2pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.