BBC News Magazine

Butchers Fred Webb (left) and Jamie Mills

Mr Mills says he is hoping for the best.

"It's not looking good - trade is down a bit on last year but we know it will pick up in barbecue season."

Address: 39, Shirley High St Years on the street: 10 Number of staff: Four Asst manager: Jamie Mills, 28 Company service: One year

Butcher Fred Webb says he is now selling cheaper cuts of meat to customers as they tighten their belts to face the downturn.

"Neck of lamb, brisket on the bone, oxtail, rather than steaks, that sort of thing," he says.

He says business is "about the same" as a month ago. People are starting to make orders for Christmas, although he doesn't think they start to think about food shopping just yet.

"We sometimes have a couple of really busy days and we think 'here we go' but then it goes quiet again. But overall it's not bad," he said.

John Wildman and Sons has been in business for 11 years and is "up and down", according to Mr Webb.

"We're not as busy as we should be but it's not too bad at the moment. We have some good days."

He says there were eight butchers' shops on the High Street when he started working 45 years ago. He blames supermarkets for the demise of independent traders.

"People go in with a trolley and just put things in without thinking about how much it costs," he says.

"When people come in and ask how much steak is and we say it is £40 a kilo, it sounds a lot, but when they're in the supermarket they don't notice the price."

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