Butcher hands over shop after 40 years (From Keighley News)

Butcher hands over shop after 40 years

4:00pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in Keighley

A village butcher has hung up his apron after serving customers for more than 40 years.

Howard Clough, who was 23 when he opened his shop in Main Street, Wilsden, in 1970 retired on Saturday.

The 65-year-old, who has sold the business to Richard Arundel, said he was looking forward to going on holiday after taking just a few days off each year during his working life.

He said: “I’d like to thank all my customers present and past and all the helpers I have had in the shop over the years. Some of them are boys that helped me in their teens who are now in their 50s. I have enjoyed chatting with my customers. It’s been a social thing as well as being somewhere I have earned my living.”

Mr Clough said it was a welcome sign there was new blood coming into the trade when Mr Arundel, 31, takes over.

He said the rise of supermarkets and people’s changing eating habits had had an impact on trade, but in the last decade demand had returned.

Mr Clough said: “I can remember when supermarkets first started and, of course, they are making things difficult, but if you have a good product there will always be room for a good butcher’s shop.”