Good news for butchers
By Chrys Ayley
There is a revival in interest in traditional butchers as people adapt to economic circumstances and interest in cooking is revived. Two local butchers are not complaining about the global recession as business turnover is increasing as people discover the benefits of shopping at the local butcher. While the high street butcher has all but died out there are still a few, good old-fashioned butchers serving our communities. Owner of Tawa Central Butchery and Willow Butchery in Ngaio, Rob Cameron says turnover has increased significantly and the recession encourages people to visit the butcher as they can shop for smaller quantities. Prices are 15 per cent less than at supermarkets, Mr Cameron says. People still have to eat, they need to watch their spending and are looking around for something better. ?People don?t realise you can come here to the butcher and ask for what you want ? we?re here for advice and customer service.? The art of shopping in a butcher?s has been lost over the last 20 or 30 years, he says. What some people do not realise is that they can go in and buy one or two pieces of meat, rather than buy pre-packaged meat. ?I reckon the recession has been the best thing that has happened to butchery.? Mr Cameron he encourages people to learn more about meat and ask questions. He says he has been waiting a long time for attitudes to change and TV programmes have encouraged a shift in attitude. Owner of Creative Meats in Petone, Bruce Gordon agrees that butchers are probably 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than supermarkets, excluding specials. Business has definitely improved recently as people are shopping for smaller amounts whereas supermarkets are restricted in what they offer. If people want meat for a special occasion they will still go to a butcher, Mr Gordon says. People want to know that what they are spending their money on is going to be good quality.
