ONE of the town centre’s last remaining butchers has closed.

Saturday was the final day of trading for Crouch Street-based Frank Wright and Sons butchers.

The store was opened more than 80 years ago.

But increasing business rates and a decline in sales means it has been forced to shut.

A shop spokesman said: “It’s a shame, it’s been here since the 1930s.

“There’s just not many people using butchers anymore, supermarkets are more convenient.

“In the last two years I’d say things have slowly gone downhill.

“We weren’t that busy today, probably quieter than a usual Saturday so we shut up early.

“There will be someone coming in to clear everything out and then that will be it.

“It’s the times we live in. It’ll probably be a bar or something now, who knows.”

He added: “[The Government] needs to wise up and make rates cheaper.

“There’s no point having empty shops.

“They might as well make people pay a little bit less rather than charge too much and have everywhere close down.”