A rapidly growing food preparation service has taken on a former family butcher's site in Crewe, set to expand its premises to 40 times the current size.

Prep-D, based in Willaston, has acquired the old Longman's Family Butchers on Wistaston Road, targeting to launch its meal preparation from the site in January 2026, along with a new café soon after.

Established by Andy Bradshaw in his own home during Covid-19 lockdown, Prep-D quickly took off with locals, with Andy constructing a council-approved outhouse kitchen in July 2023.

Now, after unwavering popularity among Crewe residents, sourcing produce from local suppliers, Prep-D is moving into the Longman's unit - empty since February 2025.

Established by Andy Bradshaw in his own home during Covid-19 lockdown, Prep-D quickly took off in South Cheshire, with the local constructing a council-approved outhouse kitchen in July 2023 (Prep-D).

Andy told Nub News: "I had been looking at taking on a site to expand my business and one of our customers told us about the old Longman's unit being available, so I enquired about it, viewed it and took it on.

"Planning to launch all our meal preparation here from January 1, 2026, everything will move over to here from my outhouse kitchen.

"The entire running of Prep-D will then take place from Wistaston Road, with us also wanting to open a new café open to the public in 2026 offering breakfast and lunch for dine-in or takeaway.

"40 times bigger than my current space, we are aiming to repurpose the appliances that are already here, offering a collection space for customers to pick up their orders.

"We just need to add in the cosmetics, get new cladding on the building, along with a new roof and revamp the car park.

"With the location, there is ample parking spaces and expect us to be busy for breakfasts. We are also having a bar made to serve fresh coffee .

"We are currently testing our new app which will mean customers can order local delivery within 20 miles of this unit where we deliver it personally.

The new Prep-D space will be 40 times bigger than its current Willaston site (Ryan Parker).

"And as well as this, anyone wanting our items delivered over 20 miles away they will be directed to the UK-wide service which gets sent out by DPD chilled delivery.

"This new Crewe unit is going to let us expand to UK-wide delivery and we have a lot of influencers lined up to send boxes to. It is just a work in progress and we are getting there ready for the start of the new year."

Prep-D says it is trying to employ as many people living locally as possible, recently taking on an apprentice from Cheshire College - South & West.

The expanding business serves two weekly menus, 'Home Comforts,' delivered every Wednesday, and 'Macros' delivered every Sunday.

Andy said: "Everything is going really well at Prep-D, we have had a fantastic two-month period, outperforming our January peak - completely outgrowing my home kitchen. We have vans going around now delivering.

"We also plan to sell premium frozen ready meals, like home comfort foods, appealing to even more customers.

"I believe we were really lucky to get this unit, the owner of the building is delighted we are reusing a lot of what is also in the building.

The expanding Prep-D serves two weekly menus, 'Home Comforts,' delivered every Wednesday, and 'Macros' delivered every Sunday (Prep-D).

"All of our suppliers are based around Crewe, along with the majority of our customers. They are the ones they have got us to expand here and we thank them for making us so busy.

"Right now, I feel really excited to be expanding Prep-D and am looking forward to the big challenge, it is going to be a great facility."

To make an order for Prep-D and to view its menus, CLICK HERE.

READ MORE: Council pulls major Crewe road closure following traffic chaos and permit breach.

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