Shoppers back Herefordshire butchers amid meat concerns (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Shoppers back Herefordshire butchers amid meat concerns
7:00am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News
Phil Stackhouse, who says business is up
BUSINESS for Herefordshire butchers is booming in light of the recent horsemeat scandal.
Since news broke that traces of horse and pig DNA were found in supermarket burgers, both Hereford Butchers and Ogleby’s Butchers have seen increased sales.
Phil Stackhouse, of Hereford Butchers based in Bewell Street, said: “Business is certainly up. It was definitely up about 50 to 60 per cent at the start of the week for processed food and about 35 to 40 per cent overall on everything by the end of this week.
“I had a customer come in the other day who said she normally has the 600g plastic bags of mince from the supermarket so I sorted her out with some.
“She came in the following day and explained that it seemed to go much further than normal, because of the quality of it.”
Mr Stackhouse explained that though customers might think they are getting a good deal in terms of price from the supermarket, in terms of quality there is no comparison.
“It’s no more expensive when you consider the quality you’re getting.
“You can go to the supermarket and have your two-for-one but it doesn’t really compare."
Chris Ogleby, of Ogleby’s Butchers in St Owen’s Street, also reported a sales increase following the scandal.
He said: “It’s good for business – sales are certainly higher than they normally would be for this time of the year. We sell good quality local stuff and we know what is going into it.”
He explained that while sales usually pick up in March and April time, January and February have been good this year as people are realising that supermarket value prices don’t necessarily mean quality.
But Howard Moseley, of Howard Moseley Family Butcher in Middleton-on-the- Hill near Leominster, reported that there has been no significant impact on his business.
“Usually my customers are regulars who have known me for years so they know where our products come from,” he said.
Comments(7)
mizza21
says...
9:40am Wed 6 Mar 13
He produces the finest bacon in the county.
It is true what he says about the quality of supermarket meat in general.
It's mass produced.
With a mass produced product you are always seeking a small improvement in margin, especially as you're dealing with the buying power of supermarkets so the tendency to reduce quality is all but irresistible.
Mr Stackhouse is a traditional butcher and a thouroughly good egg in my experience.
phxweb
says...
11:03am Wed 6 Mar 13
From this article in January: http://www.herefordt
imes.com/news/featur
es/farming/10182307.
Hereford_butchers_ur
ge_public_to_buy_fro
m_local_suppliers_to
_avoid_horse_meat/
"Chris Ogleby, owner of Ogleby’s Butchers in St Owen Street, Hereford, said its meat is sourced locally and prepared by them without outside involvement."
I wonder if he would like to explain his definition of 'Local' seen as the massive sign outside his shop boasts New Zealand Lamb !
allhandstothedeck
says...
11:42am Wed 6 Mar 13
Out of season British food has to come from abroad, its then the shoppers choice, buy it or don't buy it , you pays the money you makes the choice !!!
phxweb
says...
1:40pm Wed 6 Mar 13
My point was in fact that in January Mr Ogleby stated his meat is sourced locally, when the sign on the outside of his shop ( which has been up since at least December) clearly contradicts his statment.
billyb83
says...
4:38pm Wed 6 Mar 13
dippyhippy
says...
10:41pm Wed 6 Mar 13
nickt2635 says...
9:22am Wed 6 Mar 13