FOLLOWING a temporary two-week closure a Newton Abbot butcher shop has decided to call it a day as it says its situation is ‘simply financially unsustainable’

‘It seems our reign over this fantastic little shop has to sadly end’ Queen Street Butchers said in a post to its Facebook page.

The shop had been closed for two weeks as it struggled amid loss of earnings, roadworks and spiralling costs.

A favourite haunt for many, Queen Street Butchers had planned to reopen this week, instead it will remain closed for the foreseeable future as the current owners have, after a ‘great deal of consultation, deliberation and discussion’ decided that to continue is ‘simply financially unsustainable.’

Queen Street Butchers said: ‘We set out with a vision to supply local meats and produce to local people.

‘The customers we have met have been utterly incredible, kind and so supportive, but we have hit so many hurdles.’

The shop will reopen under a different guise with new owners at some point in the future, the Mid-Devon Advertiser understands.

But there are no details at the time.

‘We hope that all of our existing customers will support them in the same way that we have been supported’ the shop said.

‘As a final thank you, our landlords have been amazing and kind’ the shop added.

Queen Street Butchers decided to temporary close for two weeks at the start of February.

At the time, the shop said its turnover has dropped by half since the joint Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council venture to enhance Queen Street began, in particular, the shop pointed to the loss of on-street parking spaces that it said was ‘unwanted’.