Shropshire Star

Final cut as Shropshire butchers closes after 90 years

A town's butchers that has been operating for almost a century has closed.

Published
Neville Huffer worked at Coombes Butchers for decades before it closed

Peter Coombes butchers, in Clun, has recently closed its doors to the public and said goodbye to one of its longest workers.

Neville Huffer worked as a butcher there during two different ownerships and for more than 30 years.

The 74-year-old from Clun started working at the shop, previously known as Wells C E & Son, for two hours a day as a delivery driver.

He said: “I absolutely loved it there, it was a nice job and I loved meeting people from the community.

“I was a farmer for the first half of my life, before I decided to take on the role at the butchers when I was about 40. We ended up selling the farm me and my brother worked on and came to live in Clun.

“Mr Wells was advertising for a delivery driver to take meat from the shop to Bedstone College.

“He wanted a driver for just two hours in the morning, so I would drive to Bedstone delivering their lunch and dinners.”

Having opened as Wells C E & Son in 1928, Mr Huffer joined the business in 1986.

“I gradually started working there more and more as the demand started to increase and I became more experienced,” he added.

The butchers was taken over in 2001 by Peter Coombes, who ran the business for 17 years before closing it at the end of July this year.

After shutting the business, Mr Coombes said: “I’m in the process of moving away from the area at the moment.

“I’ve had to give it up due to old age I’m afraid and I’m aware that the property has had a planning application put in for it.

“I’m not sure what will come of it next but that’s up to whoever decides to take on the building.”

In its years before closure, Peter Coombes butchers secured a contract with Clun Valley Foods and became one of their main meat suppliers.

Mr Huffer added: “When Peter took over 17 years ago, I decided to stay on and we ended up becoming good friends. It’s a shame he has to close the business but these things always have to happen sooner or later.

"I don’t think I ever planned on leaving – I would have carried on as long as I could have done.”