Shropshire abattoir closes

A south Shropshire abattoir re-opened by private investors in 2009 has gone into liquidation with the loss of 13 jobs.

Daysdrove, based in Bishop's Castle, was launched with the intention of providing an alternative market for local livestock, sourcing cattle, lambs and pigs for sale into the region's traditional butcher's shops.

The project has failed, say Daysdrove's directors, due to the combination of record stock prices and an economic downturn that has stifled any opportunity to sell quality traceable meat at a premium.

"The business model has proven to be unsustainable in the current climate," said a spokesperson for the company. "Our scale of operation is simply too small to compete with the major retailers who are able to sell discounted meat to generate footfall. We are disappointed for the shareholders, stock suppliers, customers and local people who valued our product and services."

The company is closing both the abattoir in Bishop's Castle and its butcher's shop in Church Stretton and is open to offers from buyers for either facility. At its peak, Daysdrove provided over 20 jobs in the local community.

"We are going into voluntary liquidation and we will try and manage the situation to pay all our creditors. We are also endeavouring to sell the abattoir and are in dialogue with at least one prospective buyer," the spokesman added.