The Story so Far

A Ryan & Son Ltd consists of three separate shops

The Butchers

The shop is best described as a traditional butcher’s shop; a new display is laid out every morning, and a full range of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, offal, bacon and sausages is put on show each day.

The Pig & Pie

The Pig & Pie, is where Home cooked meats, pies, quiches, Sweet Puddings and baked goods are displayed and sold.

The Cheese & Cracker

The Cheese and Cracker aims to provide high-quality, British-made goods alongside lots of different British Cheese and Crackers.

For all of our shops we aim to:

• produce and bake everything as far as possible in our onsite bakehouse.
• provide items available for purchase that are closer to home cooking than commercial products.
• make all our own pastry from scratch and ensure all our meat pie fillings and quiches etc, use ‘real meat’ and fresh vegetables.
• use any local ingredients where it is considered possible.
• carry out traditional methods when producing items in our range.
• to supply the quantity that the customer requires, not a predetermined set amount.
• not use package mixes, reconstituted products or add unnecessary preservatives to extend the shelf life of our products.
• expand the idea of reducing food waste by encouraging customers to exchange their surplus produce from their gardens or allotments, which we can then use in our homemade products, going back to the old idea of a village bartering system.
• Use paper bags and carriers wherever possible, in support of a growing movement against plastic use.
• Use local suppliers wherever possible for any items that we buy in.

History

The business opened on the 2nd of November 1963 at 60 High Street, Much Wenlock by Paddy’s father, Anthony ‘Paddy’ Ryan and his wife Iris. Previous to this his father had owned butchers’ shops in Penkridge (Staffordshire) and Bridgnorth. Paddy joined in the business upon leaving school in 1968 and worked alongside his two elder sisters and his father learning the trade in the time-honoured style of starting at the bottom and working his way up.

Upon his death in 1982 Paddy took over the running of the business and in 1983 married his wife Sue, who was a Home Economics teacher at William Brookes Secondary School. Following the retirement of our local pie supplier and Sue’s desire for a change of direction, we branched into pie making in 1984, re-establishing a part of the business his late mother had begun when the business first started in Penkridge in Staffordshire in 1947. Being a Cornish girl, Sue’s first product was Cornish pasties, they proved successful and the range widened, slowly at first but gaining pace upon the completion of a purpose-built bake house attached to the shop, in 1988.

Paddy and Sue’s sons, Mike and Sam were born in 1984 and 1986 and have grown up in the atmosphere of the shop and the Bakehouse. Their desire is to continue the family tradition, and both decided to enter the trade upon leaving school. Today, Mike is Paddy’s right-hand man on the butchery side; his speciality is bacon curing, producing four different types on-site, including their own recipe of Wenlock Sweet Cure, Shropshire Classic, Mike’s Middle Cut and his own modern take on a fat, traditional, streaky bacon. Sam is Sue’s lieutenant in the Bakehouse and as well as being involved in all areas of pie production and baking, he also has responsibility for all pastry production. Mike’s wife Amber joined the business in 2014 shortly before they got married, she started down in the Bake house with Sue and Sam but since having their first Child Jacob Ryan, she has taken on responsibility for the office and all the paperwork. There are now three more young Ryan’s Eliza, Edith and Emily. All of the children like nothing better than cutting out shapes from remnants of spare pastry and making “biscuits” or helping. In addition to the five of us, there is also my nephew, Grant, and 13 other members of staff.

Making sure our customers’ needs are satisfied is very important to us, so everyone is served individually, cooked meats are cut to order, joints trimmed or boned and rolled as requested and customers can buy as little or as much as they require.

In October 2020 Mike and Amber purchased the old Copper Kettle Tearooms right next door to the Butchers shop. The Pig & Pie opened in July 2021 and is a dedicated pie shop, selling Meat Pies, savoury pastries, quiches, cooked meats and a selection of traditional puddings, desserts and baked goods.

We all have food memories, certain items that evoke feelings of warmth, security, and happy moments in our past. They may remind us of much loved and missed family members from our childhood. There has been a revival in home cooking and baking in recent years and people are enjoying the taste of homemade traditional items more and more. It is this that we hope to emulate in the Pig & Pie.

Why the name? Pigs have always been a very versatile animal with an abundance of character, just like the building we have expanded into! It also complements the idea of food memories as it harks back to some first products, we originally made all those years ago, sausage rolls and pork pies!

In late August 2025 the newest addition to the Ryans shops opened by Amber Ryan. The Cheese and Cracker’s aim is to provide high-quality, British-made goods to the people of Much Wenlock. Having scoured England and Wales for some of the most unique and delicious cheeses, the selection here is sure to have something to enhance every cheese board. With a prime focus on natural and sustainable ingredients, Amber has also sourced some amazing accompaniments such as Chutneys, Jams, Fresh Bread and more!

About Much Wenlock

Much Wenlock is set in the beautiful countryside of the Shropshire Hills. It has a selection of traditional shops, independent shops and places to eat and drink, many of which are situated in medieval, Georgian and Victorian Buildings.

Interested in finding out more about the town? Much Wenlock is teeming with history! Take a look at The Guildhall which dates from 1540, or the ruins of the 13th Century Wenlock Priory which are a short walk from the town Centre.

Find out about Much Wenlock’s part in the birth of the modern Olympic Games. Much Wenlock was the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes, who was the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games and founder of the Wenlock Olympian Society. Much Wenlock Museum is also a great place to visit as it has a wealth of information about the town and surrounding Countryside.

For those who love walking there are lots of beautiful walks both in the town and in the surrounding Shropshire countryside, including Wenlock Edge where the views are stunning.

Much Wenlock is within easy reach from both Telford, Iron Bridge and Shrewsbury and has plenty of parking, which doesn’t cost a fortune and is free on Sundays!

There is plenty to do and lots to explore – something for everyone.

We hope to see you soon.