Tooting has had its share of historic institutions and businesses, and Coppin Bros Butchers at 276 Mitcham Road is no exception.

Coppin Bros has been on this site since 1890, serving generations of Tooting residents, and shows no sign of slowing down. Manager Irmantas Danilevicius came to Tooting from Lithunia over 20 years ago, and after a stint managing the butcher in Broadway Market, he came to Coppin Bros.

“The business was run by generations of the Coppin family,” says Irmantas, “and Paul Coppin took me on as manager. He named me as his successor, and I’m proud to continue the Coppin family tradition of running the business using the same traditional methods and values.”

Coppin Bros supplies all types of meat (all of it free-range) and upholds founder James Coppin’s insistence on selling only top quality produce at a fair price. As well as the usual beef, pork, lamb etc that you’d expect at any butcher, Coppin Bros also sell every type of game, plus home-cooked Danish ham, and salt beef. And if they don’t have something in stock, they can supply to a customer within a couple of days notice. Just drop in to ask or email or call.

“Our customers tell us what they need, or even ask what would work best for a specific meal,” says Irmantas, “and we cut and prepare to the personal needs of the individual customer. This was how it was in the 1900’s and how it remains today – a high level of personal service is something we take great pride in.”

Irmantas also makes his own burgers and award-winning sausages, perfect for the approaching barbecue season. He also sells a range of cheeses, olive oils, pickled garlic, eggs and goose fat (which always produce the best roast potatoes in our opinion). He’ll soon be opening a coffee bar and pastry counter serving, amongst other things, freshly-made sausage rolls. And he of course keeps his shop immaculately clean, so is rightly proud of his 5-star Food Standards Agency rating.

And why remain in Tooting after all these years? “I love Tooting, and have lived here ever since I came to the UK,” says Irmantas. “There’s a wonderful mix of culture here, not to mention the great restaurants, bars, pubs and shops. I’ll sometimes have a look around Wandsworth Oasis a few doors down, or go into The Manor for a pint after work. And I’m always eager to visit any new business that opens in Tooting!”

Coppin Bros is at 276 Mitcham Road, Tooting SW17 9NT. Call 020 8672 6053 or 07957 666191 for enquiries and orders, or email coppinbros@yahoo.com. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.