Colchester city centre last independent butchers closes to customers

Allen and Son Butchers, in St Botolph’s Street, had served customers for decades, but rising costs proved to be a step too far.

A final message to customers revealed inflation and debts owed to the business resulted in the decision to close last week.

It read: “It wasn’t an easy decision to make I can assure you, but due to inflation and businesses closing owing us a lot of money it became apparent we were unable to meet our overheads.

“We tried many things to stop this from happening.”

It adds: “I would like to thank you to all our customers who have supported us.

“If it wasn’t for you all we wouldn’t have been able to trade for the last seven years, so thank you so, so much.”

The statement also called on customers to support “other local butchers and small businesses”.

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Allen and Sons celebrated 90 years in Colchester back in 2020 and has long been a staple in the city centre.

Customer Anthony Bowyer, from Layer-de-la-Haye, said: "I was talking to the owner recently and he told me that including being an abattoir, there had been a butchers on the site for nearly 200 years.

"Colchester must be the largest city in the country not to have any independent butchers in the town centre.

"The people of Colchester should be ashamed of themselves for not supporting these lovely independent shops.

"It is also another nail in the coffin of St Botolph's. No doubt it will be replaced by yet another kebab shop."

The demise of the business means visitors to the city centre will no longer find a butchers.

In January 2017, Geller’s butchers, in St John's Street, closed its doors for good.

Geller's butchers in St John's Street

Jack Warnes had run the business for 25 years, but decided not to re-open after Christmas 2016.

He said a lack of confidence in the town centre’s future and a cut in takings contributed to his decision.

In October 2017, Frank Wright and Sons Butchers, in Crouch Street, served its final customer after more than 80 years of trading.

A shop spokesman cited increasing business rates and a decline in sales as the main factors behind its decision to shut.

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

Several long-running independent butchers still operate in the wider Colchester borough, including FJ Martin and Son in the New Town and Christ Church ward - a stone's throw away from the city centre.