Butcher to close after 17 years (From Free Press Series)

Butcher to close after 17 years

A PONTYPOOL butcher has blamed on-going building works and increased costs for the closure of his shop after 17 years trading.

Paul James shuts up shop for the final time this Saturday and the work on Crane Street has been a major factor in his decision to close down.

He said trade slumped as construction works aimed at improving the town centre caused disruption.

Mr James was saddened that over the last 18 months, he has had to lay off staff as his business suffered. He said the decision to close was put down to "the increase in the cost of running my business and the massive downfall of trade the town is experiencing, due to the works that should have been finished seven months ago."

He said the struggle to continue trading had "taken too much," and angered that the building work has taken so long to complete.

"It is with some regret that I've had to shut my shop as most people must be aware of the continuous works being carried out in the town."

He is leaving the town with the words of a former Mayor ringing in his ears. At a previous council meeting where regeneration work was being planned, the Mayor said "You can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs," - "I'm one of those eggs," said Mr James.

But Mr James remains philosophical, convinced that good things are ahead for Pontypool.

He said: "I'm sure that the town will grow in time back to the pleasant, busy town we used to know."

And as a parting message to the town, he said: "I have made a lot of friends in the 17 years I've been trading and I am going to miss them dearly. But it is time to move on."