THE butchers in the Bradford on Avon Co-operative store is closing down after more than 50 years of having a butchers in the town.

The Southern Co-operative, on Winsley Road, is making its butchers redundant next week, replacing them with a Somerset supplier, angering outgoing department department manager Tony Kearns and many customers.

“It is really upsetting, to put it lightly,” said Mr Kearns, who has worked at the store for six years. “I have been in the butchers business for 40 years, since I was 15 – it is hard to come to terms with.

“We were the only butchers, from the 196 stores, that still ran one but no more. Generally I think the company doesn’t understand the necessity for having a butchers. The volume of trade probably doesn’t warrant us being there. But we certainly make a profit. This is the second butchers to close down in the last month after the store in The Shires closed. Times have changed and not for the better.”

Although it is a small consolation, Mr Kearns has been touched by the public outcry against the decision and the support he has received.

“My customers, many who I’ve known for years now, formed friendships and know their orders off by heart, cannot believe it and are deeply upset,” said Mr Kearns, who lives in Yate.

“The response has been amazing and really wonderful to hear. It will be a big shock but I want to thank people for their support.

“We do our own homemade sausages, and gluten free ones too. People won’t be able to get them now. There is still a need for a butchers and small shops, especially in places like Bradford with its independent retailers. It is very hard to take.”

In a statement posted in the store, Southern Co-operative said: "Following a review of how we operate our stores and the services we offer, we have made a strategic decision to move away from serve-over counters in our Southern Cooperative stores in order to focus on our core food business and particularly, on our on-shelf fresh food offering.

"As a result, this butchery counter will close from Thursday, January 28, and fresh meat offered on a ready-packaged basis only at this store.

“We will be expanding the range of locally sourced ready-packaged meat, available from early February. We will be working with local meat specialist Jon Thorner of Somerset to ensure, so far as possible, that we can maintain the variety of high quality, local meat that our customers are currently able to buy at the butcher counter.

“The new range will be available in store from early February.”