Butcher Richard's a cut above the rest
A butcher who started helping out on a market stall at the age of 11 is celebrating half a century in the trade.
Richard Walker used to work as a Saturday boy at DMT Butchers in Rugeley and after becoming the manager, he eventually took over the stall.
For the past 40 years he has worked full-time in the trade and the 61-year-old has says the longevity of the business is down to a loyal customer base.
He said: "We may not have the cheapest prices in town because we are a small business and so don't bulk buy and refuse to compromise the quality we give to our customers.
"We are thankful for all our loyal customers."
DMT Butchers used to be based in Market Hall and Mr Walker would help out on weekends from the age of just 11.
When the hall closed in 1975, the business moved to Brewery Street while the new and current home of the indoor market in Bees Lane was being built.
Eventually the market hall was ready to move into in 1980 and Mr Walker has been there ever since.
After marrying his wife Angela, they took over the butchers in 1987 and renamed it Meat to Please You.
Mr Walker said the closure of Lea Hall Colliery in 1991 led to a massive downfall in trade and he said his business was now the only independent butcher's left in Rugeley.
He sources all his meat locally and cooks his own ham, beef and turkey.
Mrs Walker, 56, also runs a shabby chic stall at the indoor market but still works part time at Meat to Please You alongside her husband. The pair have two sons, Tom and Joe.
Meat to Please You was recently awarded a five star hygiene rating by Cannock Chase Council and has also recently been awarded Rugeley's Best Market Stall.
Mrs Walker added: "We are grateful for all our customers who keep coming back."
