Popular Leighton Buzzard butchers to reopen this month under new management
A popular Leighton Buzzard butchers is set to reopen later this month under new management.
Stratton Food Hall, located on Market Square, closed in September 2025 due to the challenges of rising costs, which left previous owner Andrew Stanton feeling the business was unable to continue sustainably.
By popular demand it reopened in December, just before Christmas, to sell sausages and other products for a couple of days.
But on January 18 the food hall teased that a reopening date would be announced soon – with the Observer now able to confirm it will open its doors again on Saturday, January 31.
A message was posted on the food hall’s Facebook page on January 18 indicating that a date for reopening would be announced soon.
The food hall has been bought by Ben McFarlane, who will be reopening it under a new company alongside his mother.
Andrew Stanton told us: “After meetings with Ben and his family, me and Rachel [Andrew’s wife] are very excited for the future of the business.
“Ben is very experienced in the food industry, as a chef and butcher. He lives in Dunstable and understands the business.”
The food hall will open at 8am on January 31, and will be open until 5pm, but will only be taking walk-in orders initially and not online orders.
Ben told the LBO: “It’s an honour to be able to re-open the doors for the community of Leighton Buzzard.
“I’m really looking forward to what the future holds and meeting locals.
“I’m currently working hard to try and develop connections with local farmers and small producers in the area to bring the best local produce back to store and in our customers kitchens.
“While traditional butchery is at the heart of our plans, there will be some interesting new products along the way.
“There are many plans ahead, however I can’t give too much away at this early stage.”
Andrew said he was confident the business was in safe hands adding: “I will be there on Saturday to support Ben with the reopening.”
“I will also be doing some consultancy work with Ben to ensure a smooth transition and to help him find his feet.
“The business will be pressing the reset button and starting small, but the amount of stock will grow through the year and hopefully by Christmas it will be back towards our more usual full offering.”
The shop began life as H.G. Stratton butchers in 1936, and has been run by three generations of the Stanton family.