Horsemeat scandal sees Gloucester shoppers turn their backs on supermarkets
BUTCHERS are working flat out to try and keep up with demand for locally sourced meat in the wake of the horse meat scandal that has swept across Europe.
Supermarket giants went on the charm offensive this week in a desperate bid to restore public confidence after horse meat was found in several products for sale on shelves across the country.
Traces of horse meat is also thought to have crept into supplies destined for schools and hospitals, with a full scale investigation under way by the Food Standards Agency and police.
But the scandal could mean boom-time for many local high street butchers who are reaping the rewards of a change in shopping habits.
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The only question left to answer is how long will it last, with many butchers hoping it could signal a long term switch to a more traceable alternative to the mass produced fare on offer in Britain's supermarkets.
Mark Carr of Cam Family Butchers in Dursley is one small businessman cashing in and is hoping to reap the rewards long term.
"It has been crazy this week and our sales are up by at least 25 per cent," he said.
"We have had lots of comments from people saying how much nicer the meat tastes compared to what they normally buy from supermarkets.
"Butchers will always find it hard to compete with supermarkets on price, but they can't compete with our quality and our level of traceability.
"Many young people have been coming up to us and saying if you pay 99p for chicken what do you expect? It is the same with any meat, the cheapest is very rarely the best."
Read more in Monday's Citizen.
12 Comments
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by MrGarnet
Sunday, February 17 2013, 11:42PM
“uselesswonder
Not the last time I looked was closed?
Shame as he was a good butcher with down to Earth views.
I once took my kids to a butchers in Barton st and he cut bacon from a joint and the kids were in wonder of his precision.
Not there now our country is lost.”
by uselesswonder
Sunday, February 17 2013, 9:09PM
“There's also the butcher van in the market over the weekend in Gloucester and we always buy our meat form him. Excellent quality and very keen prices. Not sure if the butcher down westgate street is still there opposite -ish Shire Hall but he was a good'un too”
by honslknjklyt
Sunday, February 17 2013, 8:49PM
“There is a family butchers Maurice 1941 by Sainsburys, just a bit before you get to Wilkinsons on the other side. It is not exactly in the centre of the town centre though.
Yes, that bloke in the indoor marketbutchers has probably cracked more of the Queen's fine china than he has smiles!”
by maurice1941
Sunday, February 17 2013, 6:54PM
“no family butchers in Gloucester only indoor market very poor really”
by lordigaga
Saturday, February 16 2013, 11:48PM
“Willow_Wisp
don't you mean onslaughter
why don't you people wake up and smell the coffee. haven't you had enough scares?
DON'T EAT ANIMALS!”
by MrGarnet
Saturday, February 16 2013, 6:51PM
“I always support my butchers as I travel the area I use them mainly Gloster/Forest/Cheltenham ones.
There was a post on here regarding the butchers in the indoor market in Gloster concerning the "miserable git" serving there.
I must say I have only bought off him once if he could manage a smile and cheer up a bit he would I am sure improve his take!
I walk past and he is on my last walk past a miserable as ever!
Sorry but am sure if he cheered up it would benefit his business!”
by honslknjklyt
Saturday, February 16 2013, 5:58PM
“Supermarkets also sell British Meat and a lot of it. The Tescos on St Oswalds retail park has in it a Butchers stand with not only British meat but West Country meat.”
by nomossystone
Saturday, February 16 2013, 5:52PM
“Last reply is intended for Willow_Wisp.”
by nomossystone
Saturday, February 16 2013, 5:49PM
“Onslaught,
couldn't you have chosen a more appropriate word?”
by Whizzo
Saturday, February 16 2013, 4:35PM
“We never buy ready meals and hardly ever buy meat from a supermarket.
Our local butcher, Halfords in Tewkesbury is superb and the range of meat, quality and price is excellent.
We should support our local butcher, they will freely give you advice, they can tell you where the meat comes from and even sometimes let you have a freebie to try something new.
Supporting your local butcher means you are supporting BRITISH farmers, local meat suppliers, the local economy and not some EU country we know very little about.”