A POPULAR butcher’s shop is closing down having served locals for 135 years, leaving customers heartbroken.
CN Wright Butchers, in Codnor, Derbyshire, first opened its doors in 1888 and has been run by five generations of the same family.
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In an announcement, the shop will now shut on November 4 with Arthur and Julie Wright starting their “well-deserved retirement”.
They said they were being hit by soaring costs, especially utility bill increases and younger family members had other careers.
In a Facebook post, the butcher’s said: “The current financial and energy crisis has hit our business, and other similar ones very hard.
“Our costs, especially utility bills have gone up massively and show no signs of letting up.
“We’ve always tried to offer value alongside quality, but if we passed on all of these additional costs to our customers, we would have very few customers left.”
The couple’s son, Chris, who also works in the shop, is exploring other roles elsewhere, the post said.
The statement added: “We realise this news will come as a shock to a lot of people who have come to know ‘Wrights’ as a Codnor institution.
“We think 135 is a good innings.”
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The award-winning shop was hugely popular and the post has attracted hundreds of messages of good will and support for the family.
One person wrote: “Codnor will have a giant hole. We will miss our trips from Preston to buy the best sausage ever. Best wishes.”
Someone else added: “CN Wrights really has been a real Codnor institution, with no doubt lots of memories for all your customers.
“As a child I remember Cyril (Arthur) in his green transit Luton van coming around the village and always looked forward to coming away some of your fabulous tomato sausage.
“Enjoy your well-deserved retirement and as you say it’s certainly been a good innings.”
Another loyal customer posted: “This is a really sad day. Mum and dad wouldn’t get meat from anywhere else and I never hesitated in following their example.
“I grew up thinking your meat was the norm, but later came to realise it was far better than that. Thank you for excellent service and friendship through the generations and good luck to all three of you.”
The sausages were a big hit with this fan too, who said: “We will miss you all… thanks for providing our family with such amazing produce, especially the sausages!! Nothing will ever compare. Good luck Chris and enjoy your retirement Arthur and Julie… have fun, make memories and THANK-YOU for being the best.”
Chris Wright said: “It is a point of pride that that the business has managed to operate successfully and contribute to the local community for 135 years.
“We are overwhelmed by the reaction that our news has received and proud of how we are perceived within our community.”
Over the years the butchers had won a number of awards for its products, including steak, sausage and pork pie.
Wright’s Butchers was originally founded by Arthur Henry Wright, according to the Derby Telegraph.
His son, also called Arthur Henry took over running the business.
When the second Arthur died, his son, Cyril Newman Wright took it over and it became known as CN Wright Butchers in 1933.
The current shop owner (Cyril) Arthur Wright starting working there in 1964 when he was 16.
