Butchers to leave city centre shop after 150 years

Monday, 7 November 2022 00:00

Pritchetts Butchers are leaving their Fish Row home after 150 years, blaming access issues for the decision.

In a post on its social media accounts, the business explained how receiving deliveries and other access issues have pushed them to a decision to move.

The business, currently run by father and son Mark and Charles Aldridge, explained in the video that they will now be moving to Churchfields. The butchers will set up shop in a purpose-built unit that will relieve many of the problems they currently experience.

Pritchetts has been under the ownership of the Aldridge family since the early 1990's when Roger Pritchett passed away. Charles is Vincent Aldridge's nephew, the first non-Pritchett to run the business.

See the pair's video below

The issues have been caused by the closing of Queen Street to all vehicles. Something put in place by Wiltshire Council and appealed against by local businesses and councillors.

Wiltshire Councillor, Paul Sample, expressed his frustration via his Facebook group, saying, "Pritchetts got in touch and asked me for help. They said that the complete pedestrianisation of Queen Street would cause access and delivery issues."

"In particular, they said it would be much harder for them to make meat deliveries to their shop. I suggested they submit a formal objection."

"As the local Wiltshire Councillor for St Edmunds, I also submitted an objection, saying that if the proposal went ahead, we might lose shops like Pritchetts."

The video on their social media generated a lot of reaction, with many wishing the business luck in their new location, but many were also angry and frustrated they had to make this decision.

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