MORE than 60 years of tradition is continuing as new owners have taken over an historic business in Kelty.

The Butcher’s Market on Main Street welcomed customers to their grand opening last Wednesday.

Stewart McSorley, the general manager, told the Times: “It’s been a tough three months working on our company strategy and the fit-out of the shop but we are finally here. The opening went superbly well and it was fantastic to meet all the local people who were so welcoming and friendly.

“We really want to do something special, starting in Kelty. We will source the very best local produce and all our bakery products will be handmade in the shop, as well as the cold meats and our kitchen ready produce. We will treat each and every product with care.”

He has lots of experience to help in making the new venture a success, at his previous job he was part of a team that provided national championship winning products.

“The team are really proud of our shop and how it's gone so far, we have a strategy in place and this new shop is the first stage. Kelty has been without a butcher since July now, so I think people were desperate for it,” he continued.

“We are excited to carry on from the great Jim Halkett who served the village well over the past 30-plus years. We hope to carry that on with a real importance of sourcing all of our meat from farmers within five miles of the shop, so our food miles are really low and we are supporting other local businesses.

“The shop we have chosen was by design, the history of butchering in this shop goes way back more than 60 years. We have tried to keep the white tile design of years gone by with a modern edge.”

He went on to thank the people that helped make the opening a reality. “We hope we can do Kelty proud with our shop,” he added.