‘I’ve loved every minute but it’s time to get out!’ Long Sutton butchers to close, citing rising costs

A town butchers will close next month, citing ‘rising costs’ as a major factor.

Stuart and Samantha Cooper set up S&S Butchers in Long Sutton’s Market Place three years ago after gaining experience in the trade locally.

However, the husband-and-wife duo say it is ‘time to get out now’ as they find the rising costs of running a business conflicting with their desire to provide affordable produce for customers.

“It’s mostly the rising cost of everything, and lots of little things that have come to us closing,” said Stuart.

“Our customers definitely want a butchers and the area needs a butchers, but you can soon be marked as too expensive.

“We can only put our prices up so much and if I do it much more you can scare away your customers.

“It feels like the time to get out now.”

Closing the business comes with a ‘heavy heart’ for Stuart who says he has ‘enjoyed every minute’ of running the shop and chatting to customers.

“It’s going to be a shame for the area,” he added.

“But the shop is all set up to be a butchers, and it’s there if someone is interested.”

August 15 in the final trading day and until then it will be business as usual for customers to purchase their favourite produce.

A statement posted on social media by S&S explained: “Unfortunately, it's with a heavy heart we have decided to close the shop.

“We would like to thank all our customers for the support over the last three years and we hope you will continue to support us for the next few weeks until we close.

“This hasn't been an easy decision but with the current constant price rises we have made this decision to close.”