AN independent Bromsgrove butcher will close its doors for the last time this weekend after trading for nearly three-quarters of a century.

Badham and Grizzell, in Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, was originally owned by Rob Tarren who opened it as a butcher's shop in the early part of last century and the present owner, Geoff Grizzell, 58, began working there as a delivery boy at the age of 11.

Geoff bought the shop on March 13, 1967, with friend, John Badham, who had also worked in the shop under its previous owner and at that time.

Bromsgrove was "busy, busy, busy," according to Geoff, "Now it is much quieter but the improvements to Worcester Road have helped a bit," he said.

Since John's retirement at the age of 60, six years ago, Geoff has found running the shop much more difficult: "I'm tied to the shop and it's difficult to take a break for lunch, let alone a holiday," he said.

Geoff decided to close the shop after he was offered a job with the Meat Hygiene Service in Birmingham starting later this month: "It was a very hard decision to make, but I feel like I've been here too long. But I'm too young to be put in a box yet.

"Customers have been very understanding and sympathetic and I'd like to thank them all for their support over the past 35 years."

Gill Pye, of Ragley Crescent, Bromsgrove, is one of many customers who will be sad to see Geoff go: "It's terrible news," said Gill,

"I've been coming here for over 30 years and have made many friends from people I've met in this shop."

Badham and Grizzell will close this Saturday, January 12.