A butcher has closed his Watford market stall after 33 years of trading.

Mick Chapman, owner of G Gibson Butcher, had reduced the number of stands he kept in the market after opening his shop in Charter Place last year.

And on Saturday, he closed the remaining two stalls.

“Thirty three years I’ve been in the market,” he said. “It’s quite sad really. I was boy and man in there but I had to walk away to survive. But the shop is starting to get more popular.”

Charter Place is currently subject to redevelopment plans, with a new indoor market hall and a cinema at the top of Watford Borough Council’s wishlist.

And Mick said he would be interested in rejoining the market in its new surroundings.

“It needs to be moved,” he said. “Then it will get back to the way it was.

“I have had a good trade in there and loyal customers. It was a hard decision to walk away. I want to thank them for their service and hope they will continue to support me.

“It’s overdue a revamp and needs to be done. This is my future now and what I need to concentrate on.”