Bolams - Sedgefield

Great variety of meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. Bread and cheese are there to, also not as varied. The prices were rised, but are still very competitive. These large family(? butchers seem to have find a way to carry good traditions to modern times. You can buy something that is rarely seen in the supermarkets: ox tongue, marrow bones, pig and lamb hearts, tails and ribs, etc. Fancy huge whole legs -who and how cooks them I wonder? Orders for the large barbeque parties can be made over the phone or inside, in advance. I like the locally grown fruit and vegetables are sold at very good prices in season. Waxed apples from around the world are still fresher than in some supermarkets. I like the packs of herbs being generous. The cheese section changed about a year ago for the worse. Cooked meat section is still there but, again, less varied as before. The fish section (is it another business renting a counter in Bolam? is excellent. It improved from the previous people there, who used to remove price labels from view for some unclear reason. Pleasant to see new young shop assistant being very helpfull and proud of his work. The prices vary. You can buy live mussles and oysters. Also last time I was given 7 days bodeline shellfish without warning. It cooked fine, but I still think they should have mentioned. My concern is hygene, especially in the meat section, because the packaging isn't always strong enough. Cling film is torn too often and meat is exposed for cross-contamination. Make sure you wash your hand and bags because there will be blood spills. On the other hand the products don't seem to stay on the shelves for long, so are fresh. Hand gel is there too. And I never heard of anyone poisoned there, so not reducing stars. The Full Monty canteen, probably named after the great movie, is adjacent to the shop, on the left. I think someone mentioned a lot of the bus drivers lunch there. It is very basic, the food is simple, but very good and inexpensive. Disabled access. Toilets are in the canteen. There is a petrol station and large Sainsbury's (i.e. for milk and yogurt if you are buying for a week in one go . Also, there is a large park further down the dual carrige way.

Brill butcher's come here for when bulk buying meats. Best meats for Sunday roast. Good price. The cafe is also pretty decent for a bit of lunch.

Absolutely amazing. Its 8 years since we were last able to visit and the range available is huge. Prices are so good that we bought enough to restock our freezer. Above all the quality is so good.

It's great here. Lovley food. Prices are fairly high but that is reflected in high quality food, so when I can afford it, I love their food. The slightly less positive side is that people don't seem to be able to park very well in the car park. (Not the businesses fault) So be aware of that if you park there. I've had a takeaway meal from the cafe. Brilliant value. I had the carvery pudding for about £8.50. I recommend it. (I have to eat gluten free, and I was fine with the beef carvery minus their gravy or Yorkshire, I had home made rice pudding for after)

Great value meat, excellent pies and cakes. Great selection of fresh veg and a decent fish counter. Lost a point because of the change in packaging for the sliced meat more packaging waste and less appealing.