Butcher’s delight at Sudbury return comes with a warning

A butchers in Sudbury has reopened today with a flurry of opening day offers, just two months after it closed its doors due to falling trade.

JBS Family Butchers, in Borehamgate, reopened with a number of promotional offers, with owner John Sawyer hoping past customers will be reminded of what they were missing and return.

Mr Sawyer was forced to shut up shop in July after dwindling trade, and the cost of rent and business rates left him out of pocket by up to £300 a week.

The 55-year-old said he would return if he could renegotiate the lease.

No renegotiation has taken place with the owners of the precinct, however, Mr Sawyer has a breaker in the lease, allowing him to leave in May if trade does not pick up.

“I’m happy the customers have had a chance to go somewhere else.

“Hopefully we can show customers what they were missing.

“I don’t know if they are going to come back, if it doesn’t work we will bail out in May but if it picks up we will keep going.”

Mr Sawyer admitted to being upset at the lack of interest shown by the precinct owners - who were unavailable for comment.

“Do they want empty shops? I’ve never seen any of the owners down here in the five years I’ve been here.

“We want people down here, the owners should try and promote it.

“If they leave it it’s going to die.”

Strangely the final few days were very strong for the butchers and Mr Sawyer said he plans on making a few changes.

“I think we will do more whole sale. That did well at the end.”

He also raised the possibility of supplying pubs and restaurants in the area.

Already a few changes have been made inside the shop, while Mr Sawyer said he may consider shutting on Mondays.

Having opened five years ago, commuting from his home in Clacton, Mr Sawyer said he needed to ensure he did not burn out, admitting the break had been good for him.

“The important thing is that I’m myself again. I’m coming back and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got, but we will just have to wait and see.”

If comments on social media are anything to go by then there is a desire to see the butcher return.

Mr Sawyer said he hoped there would be a rush of customers, eager to get their hands on the many opening day offers available to celebrate his return.