West Norfolk butchers are seeing a rise in trade as shoppers give supermarkets the chop following the horse meat scandal.
Shops in the area have reported a 20 per cent increase as consumers lose faith in the big stores after equine DNA has been found in some processed beef products.
Butchers are hoping to see a return to popularity since traces of horse and pork have been found in processed lasagnes, burgers and kebabs.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched an investigation into the mislabelling of beef products.
Food producers are due to reveal the results of tests into processed beef products today (Friday).
More customers have been going through the doors of Priors in West Lynn.
Butcher Adam Bridges has sold more burgers and sausages.
He said: “We have been a little busier as normally these early months of a year are a bit quiet.
“Customers have trust in us as they know the meat is locally sourced.”
Jeff Sargeant has seen a 20 per cent increase in trade.
Generations of customers have bought locally sourced meat from his Stow Bridge shop.
He sells meat from his own cattle along with Swaffham lambs and free range Norfolk pork.
The store’s abattoir has also been busy to keep up with demand. Vets and health inspectors undertake checks prior to slaughter.
Mr Sargeant said: “We are normally busy but we have been increasingly so over the last three days.
“I think this is going to bring more people back. Butcher shops are cheaper and offer high quality.”
Hilgay butcher Ali Dent hopes more shoppers will continue to use traditional shops.
He has also seen a 20 per cent rise with people buying mince, stewing beef and pies.
Mr Dent sources his meat from Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
He said: “We know where all of our meat has come from and each bullock has a passport so you can seen where it was before.
“We have been a little busier. Hopefully it will bring people back.”
Tony Potter and his staff at Impson Traditional Butchers in Swaffham have been serving more customers over the last week.
Mr Potter estimates he has seen a five per cent increase in trade with people buying more burgers and minced beef.
He said: “People haven’t been asking questions as the shop has been here for 75 years and has a good reputation.
“If everyone uses a butcher there might not be enough to cope with the demand now as supermarkets have closed butchers over the last 15 to 20 years.”
Hunstanton butcher Richard Burton clearly states that “no horse meat is sold in this stable”.
He has also reported a slight increase in trade as shoppers want to know where their meat is sourced.
Mr Burton said: “If you buy cheap, you get what you deserve.
“Local butchers do not have the ability to buy that kind of meat that these supermarkets are buying.
“We have to source as locally as we can and we don’t make the products like cheap lasagne.”
Comments