Harold Nelson was not born into a butcher's family. His father worked on the railway and had the rather splendid name Thomas William Horatio Nelson. (He came from Norfolk and there is a slight possibility that he was descended from an uncle of Admiral Nelson). Harold and his 7 brothers and sisters were born and brought up in Spalding where Harold got a job as a butcher's assistant when he left school. It seems that he had trouble establishing his own business in Spalding but did well when he came to Stamford.

In particular he built up a reputation for Melton Mowbray pork pies which were made in the cellar below the shop. By 1927, he had begun to win awards and over the years gained over 50 gold medals.

Before he retired in 1952 Harold Nelson had set up another shop on Queen Street in Uppingham and both shops were well-established when they were bought by Frank Gilman.
Frank retained the name of Nelsons and soon expanded the business with shops in North Luffenham, Barrowden and Oakham. In 1956 a second shop was opened in Stamford on the corner of Broad Street and Ironmonger Street. In the 1970s the village shops were closed and replaced by a refrigerated mobile service which continues to provide for customers within a fifteen mile radius of Stamford.

In 1959 Nelson's Pie Factory on North Street started production in modern premises where the quantity could be increased while maintaining the quality.
Today the Pie Factory still supplies pork pies to their shops. Many other products have been added such as chicken and ham pie, cottage pie, lasagne, cooked meats and fruit pies.

All the meat in Nelsons' four shops - in Uppingham, Oakham and the two in Stamford is bought from local farms or markets and they still regularly buy the winners at local Christmas Fatstock Shows. A member of the Gilman family remained in charge until 2018. In 2019 Kris Moore became the sole owner of the esteemed business, remaining traditional butchers but with a modern outlook.
For example, Nelsons are known far and wide for their sausages - some people won't eat any others! and these can now be ordered through their online service.
Delivery of all products, in specially insulated boxes, is quick and for that special day you can even have a Pork Pie wedding cake made from 3 layers of pie either pork or a variety - which will serve 100 to 135 people.