Bosses at a prominent town centre butcher’s have called it quits due to rising costs and stiff competition from budget supermarkets.

Mark Springhall, who has run Windmill Butchers, formerly J.M. Danslow, for two years, blamed increasing prices and overheads as well as a drop in customer footfall.

He told KentOnline: “I have closed because ever since I took it over, the rates have gone up, the price of meat has gone up, and minimum wage has gone up.

“We cannot compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi, where you can get an order with all the trimmings for £20. It is so hard.

“We used to have people queuing out of the shop, and you just do not get that now. People are living day by day, and it is really upsetting.

“Last year, they would come in and buy bundles of meat or get a week’s or a month’s supply. But now, they buy a couple of rashers or sausages, the essentials.

“Unfortunately, the only way for it to survive is to have only one person working in there, but you cannot do that.

“I have tried my best, but unfortunately, we have not been busy.”

The 56-year-old explained that even in the last year, the price of meat has skyrocketed, with the cost of beef increasing 25%, and a kilo of turkey going from £5.60 to £9.10.

On an average Saturday last year, the butcher would have seen around 200 customers through the door, but Mark said now they only serve 60 to 70 people.

On some weekdays, he said the shop in Windmill Street could have no customers.

He added: “The shop was on its knees, and it was going to close. I was asked if I could take it over, and I went into a partnership with the Danslows.

“I thought I would take it over and give it two years and see how it goes. I wanted to bring it back to the old-style butchers, but it never ended up like that.

“Last year, I did turn it around, and the customers were happy. But, it is such hard work, and I just cannot do it anymore.”

Windmill Butchers closed its doors on Wednesday (October 29). Those who were paying towards its Christmas club can contact Mark for a refund.

The butcher, who was born and bred in Gravesend, added: “I wanted to do so much for the community, and I tried. It is an absolute shame.”

“Hopefully, someone will be able to run it as a butcher. I am hoping someone who is younger and has got fire in their belly will give it a go and try again.”

It is thought the town centre shop has been a butcher’s for more than 270 years.