Crawshaws Butchers suddenly shuts stores less than two years after opening
A butchers has suddenly closed two of its stores – just days after the company revealed record sales.
The shutters are down at Crawshaws in Market Hall Street, Cannock, and a sign on the shop declares that it has permanently closed.
Meanwhile the firm's Bilston branch has closed, although the West Bromwich Fresh Meat Factory Shop remains open.
Signs had been placed on the Bilston shop and the shutters were down today.
The Bilston, Cannock and West Bromwich shops all only opened in 2016 and only last week the value butchers group revealed sales in the week leading up to Christmas reached a record £1.8 million when almost 3,500 meat hampers were sold.
Neither the Bilston or Cannock shops are visible on Crawshaw's online store locator.
The Cannock sign says in capitals: “The shop is now closed for business. Our nearest Crawshaws is in West Brom B70 9LR. Saving stamps can be redeemed at any Crawshaws branch”.
District councillor Maureen Freeman said: “To be honest I am lost for words. I live across from the town and when I went this morning, the shutters were down and notices were on it saying it was closed.
“At first I thought it was perhaps being refurbished because it is never normally closed. I have to say I am really shocked, I thought it was doing well.
"Any business that closes is a loss to the town but that was the only butchers in the town centre.
"I do not know how many jobs have been lost either but just think of that in the new year, how awful.”
The company’s sales had risen 0.6 per cent for the 15 weeks to Christmas Eve plus they opened two more new factory shop units in that time as part of their expansion programme to achieve a target of 200 stores worldwide.
The performance was underpinned by the strength of the growing factory shop format, including one at Dudley Street, West Bromwich, which helped to offset the impact of lower footfall on the high street.
Concerns were expressed about redeeming saving stamps because the nearest Crawshaws is 17 miles away. But Whitehouse Foods, Walsall Road, will accept the stamps.
No-one from the firm was available to comment.
Do you work at Crawshaws in Cannock or Bilston? Get in touch on 01902 319410 or email newsdesk@expressandstar.co.uk
