Pritchetts Butchers opens in new unit after 150 years in city centre

The family run business has moved to a new home

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 5th Dec 2022

Pritchetts Butchers has officially left Salisbury city centre where its been located since the early 1870s.

The family run business has moved from Fish Row, to a new unit in Churchfields where it is now operating from.

In a post on Facebook, they said it'd had been an emotional few days:

The company said the move has been sparked by problems with access for delivery and supply drivers.

Speaking last month, Mark and Charles Aldridge said:

"It was a very tough decision, but recent access issues have made our life difficult and has made us look at our current situation, and an opportunity has arisen to take our business and improve our service and give our customers easy access and free parking.

"Where we are here Fish Row is lovely, it is where we have always been. It's our image. It's a beautiful building, but we felt we got to a point where we could not get any bigger, we are struggling for space, and of course, there are the access issues, which has made us look elsewhere."

The famous Pritchetts building on Fish Row has its shutters down following the relocation

Wiltshire Council says steps have been taken to make access easier for delivery drivers.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:

“We’re sorry to hear that Pritchetts has taken the decision to move out of the city centre to a new site after 150 years, but it’s positive news that the business is expanding into larger premises in Salisbury.

“In recent times we have changed access to Butcher Row, Fish Row and Queen Street but we do not feel this has had a material impact on the deliveries to businesses in the city centre. There are alternative loading arrangements nearby at New Canal where we have changed the loading bay to goods only vehicles so that it now only services businesses.

“Before the change of access to Queen Street, it was already closed to motor vehicles during the day and for events in the Guildhall Square.

“We wish Pritchetts every success in its new venture and hope that customers continue to support the business, both at its new site and at its market stall.”

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