By Dan Stacey

Copyright expressandstar

Osborne’s The Butchers, located on Walsall Road in Stone Cross, West Bromwich, will shut on September 20, 27 years after West Brom-supporting owner David Osborne took over the business from former boss Jack Hughes.

Having begun working for the Hughes family in May 1982, David explained why the final day of trading will be such an emotional one for him, having seen generations of customers flock to his store across five decades.

‘The price of everything is a big thing too’

“We don’t have to close down, but everything has come at the right time for it to happen,” the 59-year-old father of three explained. “The lease on the shop is up, and they wanted me to sign a ten year lease with a get out clause after five, and as I’m nearly 60 I don’t want to be here until I’m 65.

“The price of everything is a big thing too – not the main reason, but it all contributes towards the decision.

“It’s been my life for over 40 years, but now I think the time is right for me to move on and try something different.

“I know it’ll be an emotional day, because I’ve been here so long I’ve seen generations of families grow up. It’ll be a very, very sad day.”

Mr Osborne says it has not been decided what will happen to his business after closure, but admitted he is not yet ready to retire ahead of his 60th birthday in October.

Although his last day is September 20, the official lease ends on September 28, allowing the Osborne’s time to wind up the business behind the scenes.