A well-loved butcher shop in Olney has today (24/8) announced it will be closing its doors.
A popular butcher shop in Olney has announced it will be closing next week. It comes as the business says it is unable to keep up with the rising cost of the electricity bill.
A spokesperson announced the news on the Olney Butchers Facebook Page this morning (24/8).
"With the rising cost of Olney Butchers electricity bill - April 21 @ 12.88p/Kw to November 21 @30.953p/Kw, and a few days ago our supplier announced an increase in Sept 22 to 64.692p/Kw, which runs all our refrigeration.
"It is with a heavy heart we have no choice but to close on the 31 August 2022," they said.
Olney Butchers, which is located in the town's Market Square, has been running as a family-owned business for 7 years.
"We thank our wonderful customers for their loyal support and for giving us the opportunity as an independent business to serve the town of Olney and the surrounding area and become a valued part of the community for the past seven years," the spokesperson continued.
"We would like to thank our staff, past and present, for their loyalty, hard work and friendship. We wish them well for the future."
Residents have branded the announcement as 'devastating'.
One resident commented: "This is absolutely heartbreaking."
Another added: "So sorry to read this. It's devastating for the local area."
One sad resident said they expect this business to not be the first to go with the cost-of-living crisis hitting independents hard.
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It comes as reports suggest that average household energy bills could top £5,300 in April next year.
October's price cap is set to be announced on Friday, with the average family expected to pay around £3,553.
This means that energy bills could increase by over £1,700 between October 2022 and April 2023.
MKFM contacted Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North who said:
"I've been to Olney Butchers a number of times since becoming the local MP and this is extremely sad news for the town.
"I'm continuing to work with the Government on the impact the global increase in energy bills is having on both my constituents and local businesses."
