Kentish Express Ashford & District
Butcher’s shop on the way
Fancy a butchers? A trader is to set up a quality meat shop in a town centre site which has been empty for nearly 20 years.
Tony Killingbeck, 60, from the Isle of Sheppey, has decided to open TK Meats Ltd in the vacant shop near the John Wallis pub in the middle of Ashford High Street.
It follows the end of the lease for his family butcher’s shop which he had been running in Feltham in London.
Mr Killingbeck is taking over retail space which was previously used as a sandwich bar some 17 years ago.
He said: “I had been looking at a space a bit further down, but this shop is ideal as it is a bit further up. I think people prefer to buy butcher’s meat rather than from a supermarket, especially at Christmas when they want their turkey or beef,
“We will also be running a deli, with pies, ham on the bone, and carved meats. We will also have special offers, weekly and daily, so we can get as much trade as we can.
“We came over on Monday this week and there were a few people around, asking us when we are opening.
“It’s got to be a good thing if there are people milling around.”
Mr Killingbeck will be running the butcher’s shop with his wife and son, and a friend who has worked with him at the shop in Feltham over the past six years.
He has been working at the shop this week in order to get new fridges fitted and a front counter put in, and hopes to open tomorrow (Friday).