Family butcher 'hanging up knives' after 40 years

Phil Woodland is shutting his Woodland Butchers business after 40 years

A butcher said a lack of council support, a decline in city centre footfall and the pandemic had "forced" his business to close after 40 years.

Family-run Woodland Butchers in Peterborough had been trading at the now closed city market since 1984 before relocating to the Food Hall on Bridge Street in 2022.

Phil Woodland, who took over from his father Keith 10 years ago, said traders moving to Bridge Street were "promised the world" but the council did not deliver.

Peterborough City Council called the business a "popular feature" in the market and said it was "sad it's leaving".

Woodland Butchers was "excited" to relocate to the Food Hall in Bridge Street in 2022, but has been "disappointed" with the council's support since

The city market was demolished in 2022 as part of the Northminster regeneration project, where more than 300 homes are being built.

Only a portion of the traders were moved to Bridge Street.

Mr Woodland, 55, blamed the city council for the "failure of the market and the city centre".

"Thanks to our customers for the support, but ongoing unrealistic rent and service charge increases – which is a few thousand pounds a year - makes this the perfect time for me to slow down gracefully and hang up my knives.

"We have traded all five days for 40 years and have been prompt with our rent payments. Yet, the council's treatment towards us has been shocking.

"When we first opened, there were 26 English butchers in the centre. We are the only ones left. Not long before the city centre is completely dead."

The last day of trading will be 31 May.

Jacinto Sobral (centre), from Pop Fishmongers, was among the traders who moved to Bridge Street in 2022

Pop Fishmongers announced it would be taking over Mr Woodland's business from June, as The Market's Butcher Ltd.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We work with all our market traders and provide support and assistance where required.

"The relocation of the Food Hall to Bridge Street provided traders with the opportunity to operate from the heart of the city centre."