Two butchers come in boost for Wigan town

David Green from K and J Green Butchers getting ready to open his new shop on Moores Lane, Standish

J McRobb has opened its new outlet, which includes a deli, in the former car accessory shop on Market Street and K&J Green has launched its new store on Preston Road.

It comes after Standish thought it had lost its only independent meat supplier when Chadwick’s shut with the building now being demolished to make way for older people’s apartments.

J McRobb – which has shops in Chorley and at Derby House in Wrightington – has transformed the Autosave Standish building and Greens, a butcher’s in Heskin for more than 100 years, has redeveloped the former sandwich shop on the corner of Moores Lane.

Jamie and Camilla McRobb from J McRobb family butcher, Standish

Both businesses are the latest ventures to open in Standish as lockdown eases.

David Green, 40, is the fourth generation of his family to run the shop in Heskin, having been founded in 1912 by his great-grandfather Sydney.

The business is named after David’s parents Ken and Jean. He said: “The opening is exciting and it should be good.

“I don’t see this butchers as a rivalry and competition to J McRobb, but another source of local, fresh produce.

“I’ve had quite a few customers in Standish and I spotted this shop on the corner of the street and I thought it would be good to turn it into a butcher’s offering traditional produce.

“I’ve been busy refurbishing it and it's good to open now.

“We’ll be taking on two new members of staff, both from Standish.”

As for J McRobb, the business has already been busy serving a wide selection of fresh cuts of meat along with their famous meat packs for people in Standish.

MD Jamie McRobb said: “We are delighted to be opening a store in Standish to fill the gap that Chadwick’s left behind.

“Standish has a thriving community and being based in the heart of the village means we are best located to serve the residents and enhance the growing number of independent retailers showing confidence in the Standish economy.”

The opening of the two businesses comes as the clearing of the former Chadwicks site continues.

That site was vacated by Chadwick Family’s Fine Food Emporium in July 2019, with the business closing its doors after serving the town since 1761.

A new McCarthy and Stone development of around 100 retirement apartments will be built in its place.