Lishman's of Ilkley: 'I run Britain's best butchers shop - Yorkshire's farmland produces fine livestock'
From a farming family, David Lishman embarked on a career in butchery with a single shop in Ilkley in 1986. Since then it has grown into a fully-fledged butchers, deli and charcuterie. He now runs the business with his daughter Emma.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
I grew up in Yorkshire so all my memories are from here. Probably my earliest memory is helping mother feed the turkeys and chickens. We used to fatten them for Christmas sales at the farm gate and I recall how my parents and grandparents came to help with the plucking in a small stone out building on the farm.
I just remember the whiteness and softness of the feathers that covered the floor and came up above my wellies. I would be about three or four years old.
What’s your favourite part of the county – and why?
I’ve lived and worked most of my life in Wharfedale and Nidderdale where I find the scenery fabulous. It’s a great area for farmland producing some fine livestock. Perhaps its less agri commercial and more of a natural farming habitat that I like.
What’s your idea of a perfect day out in Yorkshire?
A drive into the Dales, a walk with my wife Lynne and cocker Ellie, and finish up with some lunch in a country pub with a blazing log fire and the dog sat underneath the table.
Do you have a favourite walk – or view?
The view from the White Wells over looking Ilkley in the valley below is pretty spectacular. I’m fortunate to walk this most days with my dog.
Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?
Geoff Boycott was a childhood hero. I remember watching him on the television when he was playing at Headingley and was about to score his 100th century in front of his home crowd.
However, dad said I needed to bring cows in for milking which was my task, and I had to miss this iconic sporting moment to fetch them whilst Boycott was on 92.
I returned about one hour later and he was only on 95 which was quite typical of his scoring speed. I think Geoff Boycott would enjoy a traditional Yorkshire lunch.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?
Cy Chadwick formerly of Emmerdale Farm. We actually do go out for a pint and a bite to eat quite regularly. Very good company.
If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’, what would it be?
I’m probably taking this too literally - Whitby Jet.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
Yorkshire is a massive county with spectacular hills, Wolds and coastline. The geography makes Yorkshire so identifiable. With the risk of sounding like every other interviewee, there is of course the people here who can be forthright, but on the whole are honest, decent and hardworking. At least they are the ones I meet and mix with.
Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?
I love cricket and all aspects of the game. When 20:20 cricket started I had a wonderful customer Bob Appleyard who had played for Yorkshire and England in the 1950s. He hated this new format and said, ‘It’ll never catch on’!
Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub?
That’s a tricky one because we supply many of these restaurants and pubs. Ilkley is looking good right now with Fjorde restaurant, Friends of Ham and The Penny Bun. Of course ‘other great restaurants are available’.
Do you have a favourite food shop?
Well I’m quite fond of my own but if you mean some where else, I had breakfast at Fodder recently and their refit and offering is great.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it?
My own area of Yorkshire – being Ilkley – has changed in a good way in the 40 years I have been here. It’s a smart town, lots of independent shops and a lovely place to visit for the day.
Outside of my home town, I think Bradford looks a bit tatty now but Leeds and York seem quite cosmopolitan. So that’s a mixed feeling.
If you had to change one thing in, or about Yorkshire, what would that be?
I’d reduce the traffic to allow me to get round quicker and the deliveries to be more efficient.
Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire?
My dad. He was quiet, hardworking and just got things done in a nice manner.
Has Yorkshire influenced your work?
We source most of our meat from farmers in Yorkshire so the answer is most categorically ‘yes’. We have the best produce on our doorstep.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer.
There was a film made in Ilkley in the 1980s called ‘A Private Function’. It was written by Alan Bennett (Leeds) and starred Michael Palin (Sheffield) and Maggie Smith (down south), and had butchers shops and pigs and is hilarious. All things I like.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where should it be?
Outside of my home town, I am very fond of Whitby. It’s full of history, nice pubs and great fish and chips.
David Lishman was named Judy Bell Food Hero at the recent Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards, named after former chairwoman and founder of Shepherds Purse Cheeses. The award looks to honour someone who has significantly and positively impacted both the industry and the region throughout their career, and this year’s Champion is the epitome of those qualities.
A master butcher and stalwart of the food and drink industry in Yorkshire, David Lishman was also recently awarded the title of Britain’s Best Butchers Shop.