Presteigne butchers name change, but a familiar face remains behind the counter.
The name of a long-established Presteigne butchers has changed, but the face behind the counter will be familiar to customers.
Gary Chibnell Smith has worked at what was Carini Butchers for over 30 years despite only supposed to be there for a couple of months, and he has been a partner in the business for about 20 years.
Now he has become the owner of the business, which has been in town for probably 100 years, and he has changed the name to reflect the new ownership.
It is now called GCSE Butchers Limited and the new signs have been placed above the door this week.
But the same high quality products and excellent customer service is assured at the butchers from Gary, Carwyn and Joel in the kitchen.
Gary said: “I used to work for Paul Lewis the butcher in Kington as a Saturday boy from the age of 14 and then on a Youth Training Scheme. I found out on a Thursday that I was going to lose my job there.
“But I went into the Vaults pub where I used to play darts and the landlady told me her son Chris Carini wanted to offer me a job.
“The lad that worked for him had broken his leg in a horse riding accident and they needed cover. I was only supposed to be there for six to eight weeks as cover but they kept me on. I am still here over 30 years later. Also if I hadn’t stayed on I wouldn’t have meet Andrea who worked over the road at Spar now Premier. We have been together 30 years this month and are proud parents to Ben and Chris.”
Now 48, Gary said the butchers became a limited company 20 years ago, when he joined the partnership but now Chris has retired, the business has been handed onto him.
“The sign has gone up but everything will still be the same for the customers, it’s just the name is changing,” said Gary.
The butcher’s stocks local beef from Cwmwhitton, lamb and pork from Leintwardine and chicken from Oswestry. They also make their own pies, quiches and cooked meats and they offer a full range of cuts and joints and are able to meet customers’ specific requests.
“We are a traditional butchers and we are very well supported in Presteigne as there is no large supermarket in the town and we get lots of customers from surrounding areas. We were rib on the bone champions at the winter fair in Builth wells an orders are starting to come in for Christmas now so it will get busy.
“Chris Carini bought the shop 31 years ago from Glyn Slade Jones, who used to have a butcher in Kington, they were in school together. But I think there has been a butcher in Presteigne for probably 100 years or more. Now I will carry on that history.”
