Builth Wells butchers is crowned best in Mid Wales

Powys County Times

28-04-2025

A BUTCHER'S shop in Builth Wells is celebrating after being crowned the best in Mid Wales – less than six months after the proprietors lost their father.
Morgans family butchers, run among others by the brother and sister team of Rhys Field and Cerys Hickey, picked up the award for 'Best Butcher' at a glittering Best of Welsh Business Awards 2025 ceremony held at Llangoed Hall earlier this month.
Rhys and Cerys have stepped up to take on the running of the shop in Builth's town centre, after they unexpectedly lost their dad, Dave Field, days before Christmas.
Dave, a larger-than-life presence who had run the shop on Builth's High Street, for 25 years, died in the early hours of Saturday morning, December 7. He was just 57.
Rhys and Cerys, plus mum Carol and grandfather Arwyn, were on hand to collect the award at the ceremony, held on Sunday, April 13.
'We had no words when we found out about our nomination,' said Cerys. 'We thought it was a scam.'
'It's a special moment for the family,' said Rhys.
'We didn't know who voted for us, but it's for dad. We're a proper family-run business, we've carried it on since he's gone and we feel like we're carrying on his legacy.'
Watsons Family Butchers, from Rhayader, was runner-up in the category, while Hay-on-Wye's Small Farms Butchers was highly commended.
Dave had been butchering for 37 years and had run the shop himself, owned by his father-in-law Arwyn, for a quarter of a century.
In more recent years, he had been running it alongside his three children, including Rhys and daughters Cerys and Morgan-Ellen. Wife Carol also helped out at the shop – where customers were regularly greeted by Dave's cheery face and warm character.
He also enjoyed a special bond with his grandson, Hugo, who called him 'Pops'.
'I still think even now, it hasn't really hit home that he's not here,' said Cerys, who is Hugo's mum.
'It's weird not having him here,' added Rhys.
'We'd always have a joke and a laugh. Some people still can't come back in because they can't face it.
"We still get people coming in choked up about it. He'd been the face of the business for 35 years.'
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Despite suffering such a devastating loss so close to Christmas, Morgans was back open for business on the Monday after Dave's death, with the family informing customers that Christmas orders would still be fulfilled.
The Best of Welsh Business Awards work by businesses receiving an initial vote; after which they are notified and can then collect further votes from clients and customers.
There was further success in Builth at the awards, with Georgie Porgie's Coffee Stop named Mid Wales' 'Best Café'.