A long standing butcher on Ferry Road has confirmed it will close this weekend, ending 15 years of trade in the area.

The Mad Butcher store said it had been unable to secure a new franchise agreement to continue operating from the site.

The owner told Chris Lynch Media “we really appreciate the support from the community. The business itself has been strong, and this wasn’t a decision driven by performance or demand.

We haven’t forgotten the East side. It’s been a huge part of our journey, and we’d love to be back serving the community again one day.”

In a message to customers, the team said the closure marked the end of more than just a business.

“It’s hard to explain what this place means to us.

“This store isn’t just a business. It’s our family.

“We’ve watched young staff come in as after school workers and grow into managers.

“We’ve seen both my son and my nephew complete their apprenticeships here.

“We’ve shared laughs, long days, early mornings, and built something we’re incredibly proud of.

“Together, we’ve grown this into the busiest shop in the group. That didn’t happen by accident.

That’s because of our team, and because of you.”

The store will close at the end of trading on Sunday 29 March, with a final clearance sale underway.

A notice posted on the shop window confirmed all stock must be sold before closing, and reiterated the reason for the shutdown was the inability to secure a new franchise agreement.

Customers were also told the site will soon be taken over by a different operator.

“A new supermarket business is expected to open here from April 7 under the name Harvest Market,” the notice said.

“It will be a separate business under new ownership.”

The current owners said they would not be involved in the new venture, although some staff may choose to work there.

The team thanked customers for their support over the past 15 years, saying they wanted to finish their final days “looking after our customers” the same way they always had.