Independent butchers see surge in trade following horsemeat scandal
INDEPENDENT butchers in Cheltenham say business is booming as customers flock to them in the wake of the horsemeat scandal.
Staff at Robin Jenkins butchers, in Bath Road, have had to bring in extra hands to mince more meat in order to keep up with demand.
-
a lot to offer: Left, Josh Robinson and Darren Walker, from Robin Jenkins Family Butchers, in Bath Road, Cheltenham
And they said people are asking for burgers and minced beef – products previously dominated by supermarket giants.
It comes after certain beef products were withdrawn from supermarkets across the UK after the discovery that some contained traces of horsemeat.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Manager Darren Walker said: "It has got really busy over the last couple of weeks and we think the horsemeat scandal has had an effect.
"Business is up by 10 per cent and we have had to order in more stock and bring in extra help.
"In particular, people are going for burgers and minced beef, but pork, lamb and poultry are doing well too.
"The whole horsemeat story has obviously bred a certain amount of distrust in supermarkets and I think that's why people are coming to us."
Mr Walker said customers were particularly keen to ensure their meat was easily traceable.
He added: "With butchers of a smaller size like us, you get high quality produce and it's all locally-sourced.
"I can tell you exactly where the meat comes from and it can be traced down the animal if needs be."
He is not the only butcher to notice a surge in business.
A member of staff at Halfords butcher's in Tewkesbury said: "We have picked up some more customers.
"I think the whole horsemeat scandal has opened people's eyes a bit."
Perry Meredith, manager of Jesse Smith's butcher in Cirencester, said: "People have been caught out buying cheap meat from supermarkets and the guilt factor is making them buy better quality produce. How long it lasts though remains to be seen."
Andy Hill, who owns JR Pilkington's family butcher's in Bishop's Cleeve, said the trend was a sign the tide was turning against large supermarkets. He added: "I think supermarket domination is coming to an end.
"People realise that if they look carefully enough, what supermarkets offer is no cheaper than what we've got, and they can't match us for quality.
"Customers can also get advice from a good butcher. We will tell you how to make the most of the different cuts."
OPINION, P8
10 Comments
by meat_sucks
Friday, March 15 2013, 12:11AM
“I agree with lordigaga, decomposing flesh is decomposing flesh no matter what species the victim was.”
by lordigaga
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 7:13PM
“what does it matter what dead animal you lot eat?”
by tishwash
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 6:43PM
“plus its just more expensive going independent :(”
by thomas1996
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 4:00PM
“Does anyone really think the big 4 supermarkets will just accept they will sell less burgers, ready meals and meat and give up the money they have got used to going through their tills?
No, course they won't.
What they will do is firstly promise that ALL their fresh meat is traceable British meat, then they will ONLY deal with meat processors who put traceable British meat in all ready meals, pies and frozen meals.... then they will gradually introduce an in-store butchers shop in every large store where there isn't currently one thus giving customers a copy-cat service to a local traditional butchers shop.
They simply won't let the traditional butchers shops do too well.”
by Inatizzy
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 1:10PM
“Mmm... everybody stopped eating beef when the mad cow disease 'outbreak' first hit the headlines! Eventually finances dictate and people drift back to what they know.”
by raggeh
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 11:17AM
“Simple fact is, local butchers usually offer superior quality meat at lower prices than the supermarkets.”
by geraint2010
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 10:38AM
“Good news for sure, but sadly it is unlikely to persist for long. The dominance of the big supermarkets will continue unabated unless and until town planners make it practicable for a range independent retailers to trade alongside them on our out-of-town trade parks.
Give me independent traders every time but, in common with most people, I have neither time nor inclination to pay extortionate parking fees for the privilege of spending my hard earned money while traipsing through the wind and rain around what is left of our high streets.”
by raidermanuk
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 10:31AM
“Once they get used to eating horse meat they'll return to the supermarkets.”
by CYBORGIGY
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 10:10AM
“Support your local butcher before its too late and you wake up one morning and find the only choice for meat that you have is supermarket ****......”
by Beekeeper
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 8:41AM
“Some people like a Tesco burger with their evening meal, and some people don't - it's just horses for courses.”