A Co Armagh butcher has been forced to shut up shop and blamed planners for his demise.
Hamiltonsbawn-based Bawn Meats dropped the post-Christmas bombshell on social media.
Owner Errol Lenaghan had been celebrating pre-Christmas after being awarded a five-star hygiene rating from the ABC Council.
The business – based on the Derrynaught Road in Hamiltonsbawn – had just completed a very busy Christmas season, catering for orders for the festive fayre.
But news of the demise has caused great shock within the local community.
Mr Lenaghan posted on Facebook: “It is with deep regret that due to planning enforcement restrictions, Bawn Meats has been forced to close all our operations and services to the public at our shop.
“This has been a great journey for us and we are devastated that this has been forced upon us.”
He did however hint that a possible future might emerge in the coming year as he expressed gratitude to all who had supported him.
Mr Lenaghan added: “Thank you to everyone for your custom and support over the last year and we wish you all a very happy 2020 sure you never know what that may bring.”
The news has been greeted with anger and disbelief locally.
One customer, reacting to the news on social media, said: “So sorry to hear this Errol, our Christmas dinner was delicious thanks to you! Hopefully you’ll be up and running again soon somehow!”
Another commented: “Sad to hear such awful news. Bawn Meats will be missed by the local community and further afield.”
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