Butchers benefit from horse meat scandal

Buy photos » Ross Watkins, manager of John Williams butchers in Studley, only uses meat which can be traced back to the field. Picture by Ian Dipple (s).

RESIDENTS are flocking back to traditional butchers following the horse meat scandal.

Butchers in and around the borough are reporting a rise in the number of people buying fresh meat after traces of horse were discovered in supermarket ready meals and burgers.

John Williams, the owner of John Williams butchers in Studley, contacted the Standard after he noticed more shoppers than usual over the weekend.

"The guys at the shop said they had seen quite a few new faces. People were saying they didn't trust what they were buying from the supermarkets and were turning back to us," he said.

"Our shop, like many butchers, can trace the meat all the way back to the field.

"Everything is always sourceable and traceable, and good butchers will always provide this.

"It's about building a relationship with customers and it's about trust. People can trust us and I think the supermarkets have worried a lot of people."

Pete Nicholson from Pete The Meat butchers in Astwood Bank said he had also seen a rise in trade.

"It's often perceived that butchers are expensive but we aren't. For that extra pound or so customers get good quality meat. It doesn't go through fifteen different places before coming here. It goes from our farm, to our abattoir to our shop."

George Piff, owner of the Butcher Boy in Headless Cross, said he had seen between a 15 to 20 per cent increase in custom over the weekend.

"People are in shock and want to buy their meat from a reliable shop. Nearly all butchers do not sell processed meat and it is always traceable," he said.

"We are getting a few younger people again, as well as the regulars, but it's great to see new faces supporting the town's independent butchers."

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