'Technology takes youngsters away from traditional trades': Black Country butchers bullish about future of industry during national celebration week
While the national celebration of butchers and the industry is in full swing, it's a time filled with doubts about the future for many butchers as well.
National Butchers Week is an annual event which takes place in the first week of March and celebrates the artistry, dedication, and expertise of butchers and emphasizes the value of purchasing high-quality, ethically sourced meats and supports the local businesses that provide them.
Across the Black Country and the wider West Midlands region between March 2 and March 8, there are plenty of butchers working to provide high quality cuts of meat, pork pies and other products much loved by customers, such as family-run butchers such as Michael Kirk in Wolverhampton and Ron Cockayne in Aldridge.
While both butchers, which are based next to the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton city centre and Aldridge Shopping Centre respectively, have reported keeping busy and being able to bring in customers, both owners Michael Bachyk and Simon Cockayne have spoken about their fears for the future of the industry.
Michael Bachyk is the latest in a long time of butchers at the shop in Wolverhampton, which has been part of the city since 1934, and said things were moving along at the present time, but also said the future was looking more difficult.
He said: "When Marks & Spencer closed down, we thought there'd be a knock-on effect with customers coming into the town, but we've still been going pretty steady, possibly because there's been less choice for people to shop around.
"We've also been here for a long time and people know that the quality we have and the service we provide is very good in the shop.
