Retiring butcher Jim has been a cut above for six decades...
ATRADITIONAL Birmingham butcher who has not had a week off in 26 years is finally hanging up his apron.
Jim Duffell, 69, is closing his popular shop in Witton Lodge Road, Perry Common, where he first worked ‘sweeping and scrubbing’ as a nineyear-old Saturday boy.
In the last 60 years, Jim, from Kingstanding, has lived through many challenges including foot and mouth and ‘mad cow’ disease.
He also lost business when 900 local homes were demolished in the 1990s – but his family butchers stood the test of time.
Now, after getting up at 5am to go to Witton Markets before opening from 6.30am, five days a week, Jim is finally taking a well-earned break.
He finished on Saturday, exactly 51 years to the day he started fulltime there, and is looking forward to resting, enjoying life with his wife Jayne, 59, and visiting his caravan near Bewdley.
Jim, who has two sons and four grandchildren, said: “Times have changed but I’ve survived it. It’s a sad day.
“I’m working 13 hours a day at my age. I haven’t had a full week off in 26 years. I look forward to the Bank Holidays because I have four days off but I can’t have a full week off because I’ve got no one to run the shop.
“I used to have a lot of staff but I had to let them go as things got tighter so it’s me and my son James, and Mick, a part-time helper, running the shop.
“It’s got a bit tiring sometimes, a bit of stress but you live with it.”
Of his customers he said: “They’re not my customers but my friends. The characters I have in here keep you going. I serve a lady who is 87 and I used to serve her mum and dad.
“I want to thank all of them for their support over the years.”
Jim started working at the shop 60 years ago when he was nine.
After school and on Saturdays he would sweep up, wipe the walls, clean the fridge, and scrub the wooden chopping blocks.
In 1973 he became the youngest manager of the shop when it was a
Co-op before working for himself in 1989.
Locals have been wishing Jim well and expressing their appreciation since he announced his news by placing a poster on his window. MP Paulette Hamilton said: “Jim has been a valuable member of the community for 50 years. I have been in his shop on a number of occasions. Jim deserves the best retirement. I personally want to say all the best and make sure you enjoy life.” Tracey Smith said on Facebook: “Happy retirement Jim. You have worked for a very long time being a
butcher round the Ring. I remember when you worked in the Co-op butchers where you are now then to Warwick butchers and back to your old co-op shop you have been a pillar to the community so it’s well deserved.”
Deb Streeter wrote: “Happy retirement Jim. I’m nearly 32 and he’s been there for as long as I can remember.”
Joanne Cooper posted: “Very sorry to see this. I remember coming to Jimmy Duffell’s with my late nan as a child then later shopping there myself with kids of my own. Happy retirement and all the best to the family.”
Daniel Madden said: “Jim Duffell has worked in the Ring since he was 12. He must have seen thousands of local Perry Common customers in this time. Have a long and happy retirement Jim.”