FAQs

About Us

D . Parker & Son ltd was originally founded in 1931 by Frank Parker, who’s family had been butcher’s at other premises local to Wallington for many years previous.

These pictures show a Parker’s shop owned by another family member. Situated in Carshalton Surrey. This shop was quite advanced as it had a small abattoir behind it not to mention the luxury of Horse and Cart delivery

This picture shows one of the Parker’s (on the left) working in a shop in Warlingham in Surrey. The clock in the backroad is still in the family, and keeps time in the hallway of the current directors home.

One of the first pictures of the original Wallington shop circa 1935-1940. Note the delivery bicycles or “Trade Bikes” as they are known within the industry. These would be used by either the children of the family, or shop apprentices to do local home deliveries.

The  Wallington premises were bought in 1931, and set up as a small, humble butchers shop in a newly built housing estate. The shop had ample space for the family to live behind and above the shop.

The business thrived, relying on trade form the surrounding newly built houses, and the young families living in them.

Shortly after the war, Frank’s son Derrick came out of the RAF as an airframe fitter and joined the family business. Here he worked until his father retired and handed the business over to him. The shop was then re-named to is current name D.Parker & Son.

Derreck continued to enjoy good trade, and the retail business grew to not only the direct locals, but also to residential clients further away. The delivery bicycles continued to see extensive use.

Derreck standing outside the shop with his 2 sons Peter and Alan sitting in a delivery bike (circa late 1950’s)

Peter in the original back garden of the shop with his Little sister Ruth in the basket

Derreck’s son Peter was born in 1948, shortly after the war and after growing up in and around the shop. He finished school, and went to Smithfield college at Smithfield meat market to not only study, but perfect his trade. Peter came into the family business shortly after his apprenticeship finished.

Derreck and Peter continued to thrive and championed the local home freezer supply deliveries to homes and families all over the area. At one-point local trade was so good, Peter had to upgrade his Vespa scooter with a sidecar to do deliveries in.

Peter’s vespa scooter. Upgraded to delivery vehicle, to keep up with the growing demand of home deliveries circa late 1960’s)

Derreck and Peter outside a more modern and extended shop (Circa late 1960’s)

Derreck saw many achievements throughout his career. Not only did he celebrate 50 years of being in the trade, but he was also elected president of the London Retail Meat Traders Association in 1971/1972

Derreck and his family and friends as one of the many association dinners he attended.

1981 saw Derreck’s golden jubilee celebrations with 1 pound of sausages (half a kilo) being sold at 1931 prices, 7 ½ p!

Shortly after in 1973, Daniel, Peters eldest son and now Director of the company was born. It was not long before he was in the shop.

3 generations of Parker’s in the shop.

Daniel aged between 2-3 years with his dad Peter in the shop at Christmas time.

3 generations of Parker’s outside the shop.

Peter and Daniel continued to see growth in the business, and it was not long before the shop started to supply commercial businesses with meat. As golf clubs and pubs became the places to eat, the Parker’s were there plying their trade.

Peter retired from the business in 2010 and Daniel took hold of the reigns, now the fourth generation to run the company. It was not long before heavy investment and a lot of hard work went in to converting the whole premises into a Food Standards Agency Licenced cutting plant with about 2000 square foot of cold storage, cutting rooms, stores and staff amenities being converted or added, while still retaining a small retail outlet to supply local trade.

Daniel has continued to grow the company year on year, while still retaining the original company ethos of being able to supply products with a personal touch. He is involved in the business on a day to day basis and still enjoys cutting meat at every opportunity.

Daniel is heavily involved in the industry, and is a member of AIMS ( Association on Independent Meat Sellers) a major stakeholder led voice in the industry. He is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butcher’s, and a Freeman of the City Of London.

Daniel being clothed as a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of butchers. Accompanied by his father Peter

Daniel and Peter