It’s been a feature of the Lerwick commercial scene for four generations – but the Globe Butcher’s shop will close at the end of March.
Butcher Keith Moffat told The Shetland Times that he had made a “difficult decision” and confirmed that the last day of trading would be on 29th March.
Keith Moffat confirmed the Globe Butcher’s shop will close at the end of March.
The business has been in Mr Moffat’s family since 1893 and over the years developed into one of the most well-thought of butcher’s shops.
Mr Moffat, the fourth generation of his family to take charge at the shop, has worked there personally for 30 years.
He said the decision to close was nothing to do with the competition, or a lack of custom.
“It [the closure] is no way anything to do with competition with the supermarkets or other butcher shops. It is various other reasons which I would rather not disclose.
“It was a difficult decision and one that has not been taken lightly.”
Mr Moffat said no decision had been reached on what would happen to the Commercial Road premises once the Globe had stopped trading.
He said: “In the interim it will be closing. I am not sure what I will be doing with the premises.”
Over the years the Globe won several awards for its products including bacon, burgers, sausages and pies. In 2008 the shop also picked up a prize for its potted meat.
The business had also been a member of the Q Guild, an organisation which “represents the highest quality butchers and independent meat retailers in the UK”.
The Globe’s closure means Lerwick will be left with just one butcher shop, J. K. Mainland on Commercial Street. At one time there were 13 butchers in the town.
The town is also bereft of bakers following the closure of Malcolmson’s last year. In the 1960s there were at least six.