Norwich sausages prove a sizzling success in BBQ contest

A Norwich butchers' closely-guarded sausage recipes have been handed down through the generations and have won Norfolk's coveted Battle of The Bangers award several times.

Now, Archer's Butchers is celebrating success in a national competition run by the Q Guild, which represents 110 award-winning butchers from the Scottish Highlands down to the south coast.

The Plumstead Road shop was highly-praised by the judges of the barbecue contest as a national runner-up for best speciality sausage, with its caramelised red onion sausage.

The shop, which has only recently become a member of the Q Guild, had already won the East of England regional competition with its sausages and collected five more gold awards.

Jamie Archer, who runs the shop, which was founded by his grandfather, said: 'The members of the Q Guild are at the pinnacle of their trade. We're the best of the best so to come runner-up in our first competition is a great achievement.

'We wanted to better ourselves, to be the best that we possibly can be. I've learnt a lot from my dad and other butchers, but to have this wider network is invaluable.'

Archer's of Norwich was founded in 1929 by John Archer, who started off in Norwich's famous provisions market. His son, James (Jimmy) Archer, came into the trade as soon as he was allowed to leave school and in the early 1980s bought the business from his father.

Under Jimmy the business developed and the shop doubled in size to cope with the extra demand, and a delicatessen and baguette takeaway were added.

Now in its third generation, Jimmy's son Jamie is taking the business forward, while maintaining traditional techniques and methods used by his father and grandfathers, John Archer and Oliver Craske.

Do you have a story about an award-winning business? Call reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772474.