Rising energy costs force popular butcher shop to close

A HUGELY popular Sligo butcher shop has become the latest business forced to close its doors due to already spiraling energy costs. Sherlock’s Butchers in Cartron, a progressive business which enjoyed wide patronage not just in the Cartron/Rosses Point area but across Sligo town and county, is known for its innovative offering to customers, but they have been forced to close their doors due to rising electricity and operational costs. There are three people employed full-time in the shop.

Sherlock’s always had a vibrant profile online as well, every effort made to ensure customers were attracted to this superb butcher’s shop, but good product and good business management appear not to be enough to keep some businesses going as bills climb.

Five weeks ago, the Sligo Weekender reported how a popular Easkey deli was forced to close for the same reason as the price of energy had become “unsustainable” and there were warnings from business and political representatives that more closures were inevitable. George Sherlock, proprietor, in a post on the shop’s Facebook page, said it pained him to announce that after many years in business he will be closing at the beginning of December.

“Sadly, due to the rising costs of electricity and operating costs, we are in a state of anguish to close our shop,” he said. Mr Sherlock thanked the shop’s customers for their support over the years and said it would be business as usual until December 3.

Hundreds of people commented on the post, paying tribute to Mr Sherlock and the staff.