Accrington Market’s Slacks Farm Butchers close stall

Slacks Farm Butchers has left a heartfelt goodbye message to customers, adding it has “switched off [its fridges] for the final time”.

This is after plans for an £11 million redevelopment were announced and the town’s grade II listed Victorian Market Hall is set to benefit from this.

The plans involve moving stall holders outside to Accrington Town Square Market, until March 2025 when the renovation is set to be complete.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Slacks Farm Butchers said: “Today we switched off our fridges for the final time on Accrington Market.

Slacks Farm Butchers has officially closed its Accrington Market stall (Image: Facebook/ Slacks Farm Butchers)

“For more than 35 years we have served the amazing people of Accrington and we can’t thank you enough.

“Your continued loyalty has been the back bone to our success.

“We have made so many friends and memories along our journey and we hope you join us in our future plans.

“Over our 35 years we have had an unbelievable workforce who have been instrumental to our longevity. 

“Most of all, more than anybody, it’s you, our amazing, loyal customers who we want to thank from the bottom of our hearts.

“You will never understand how grateful we are. It’s meant the world to us.

"Accrington… it’s been an absolute pleasure! We hope to see you all soon.”

More than 100 customers have left message of sadness and support for the market stall.

One person said: “A big thank you for all you have done, especially through Covid.

"You still did your best to give your customers a great service by delivering to their doors, and you still continue to deliver now and I for one do so appreciate it.

“Thank you so much and I would like to wish you all every happiness for 2024.”

Another said: “End of an era… The market will never be the same again.

"We’ve lost so many stall holders who make the market what it is and have kept it going through tough times.

“I will cherish the decades of memories and wish you all the best for the future.”

A third person said: “You are going to be sadly missed. This is a huge loss for the town. Thank you, take care and all the best for 2024.”

The business is still operating online and in Market Walk, Chorley.

Last year,  questions were raised about the transformational works to the market site.

Several traders released statements announcing their closure or decision to “scale back their business” as a result of the plans.

The council was been criticised for its "poor communication" with traders regarding plans for the refurbishment.

Damien Smith, who runs Smith’s Fresh Produce stall, did not announce plans to close but was concerned about the lack of information they were told by the council.

Last November, market traders were given a preview of the new business units they will use until the refurbishments are complete.

Hyndburn Council leader, Cllr Marlene Haworth, said the feedback from the traders "was really positive".