Town butcher to close shop

One of Ludlow's best-known butchers' shops is to close with the loss of 10 jobs - but its Ludlow Sausage will live on.

Carters, which has won a raft of awards for its high quality bacon and sausages, is known around the UK and features prominently during the Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival.

It supplies some of the town's award-winning restaurants and has been in the town for 27 years.

Today Chris Carter, owner, said he had decided to retire early due to illness and the store would shut on November 24.He said: "It's a great shame. We decided we would seek a new owner for the shop and we have advertised locally and nationally.

"Sadly, nothing has come of that and there are no potential new owners. We've been left with no choice but to close in a month and then sell the shop."

Mr Carter said his family, including Christine, David and Jenny, who all work in the shop, as well as his staff, would be sad to see the store close.

He said: "I've been in the trade for 40 years. But I'm afraid I need to slow down and take better care of my health.

"However, we are making sure the Ludlow Sausage doesn't die. The recipe for that will be passed to Ian Ray, at DW Wall & Sons, in High Street. We are also transferring Christmas Club money to other butchers in the town, or refunding it."