Boost for butchers due to horse meat scandal

Customers are flocking to independent butchers after the discovery of horse meat in some supermarket beef burgers and lasagnes.

David Butcher, of D&S Family Butchers in Edge Top Road, opened Thornhill’s first butchers in 20 years in December.

He said: “It’s had a very big impact – sales have increased by about 20 per cent. People are saying they’ll never shop in supermarkets again. We try to keep all our meat local. It’s all traceable – there’s no hidden secrets.”

Neil Wilcock, a local butcher for nearly 30 years, said: “Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen new faces. There’s been a noticeable increase. Nothing surprises me about the supermarkets – it’s all about profit.”

Mr Wilcock, who trades in Dewsbury market three times a week, said customers had lost trust in the supermarkets, and independent sellers are more accountable to customers.

“It’s only me that’s involved in this process,” he added. “I’m responsible – if you buy something, you know I’ll be here next week.”

Mr Butcher said irresponsible supermarkets were taking advantage of customers looking for cheap deals. He said: “Once meat has reached the slaughterhouse it’s very hard to tell the difference. If the horse was mixed in with beef, you wouldn’t’ be able to tell in a million years.”

Andrew Szablo, manager of Bennett’s in Foundry Street, said: “We had one of our best weeks last week.”