Oldest stall in Hereford market says business isn’t the same

Ralph Lloyd, 60, is the owner of the butchers Mailes Brother, in the Butter Market.

With 40 years behind him and working with a trusty counter going on 50 years he has seen 400 stalls come and go.

But he is now noticing the price of products, especially dairy, soaring.

He also expects price of pork and the amount available to change as farmers struggle with costs, he said.

RELATED NEWS:

• Bargain! What I bought in the Butter Market for a tenner
• Herefordshire families struggle with expensive school uniform
• Divine Donuts in Hereford makes big decision on its future
• New Hereford cocktail bar promising to be different opens

Mr Lloyd said he will change what he will sell depending on these prices and time of year.

This is a big change from the 80s and 90s when business was booming, he said.

“It won’t ever be like that again,” said Mr Lloyd.

Due to the cost-of-living crisis he believes people are more likely to go to supermarkets to find deals and cheaper meat.

OTHER NEWS:

• Herefordshire ex-homeless man of 20 years featured on BBC
• Herefordshire beauty spot to fell dangerous trees as deadly disease spreads
• Herefordshire teen attacked woman and caused criminal damage

Although it is usual to see a dip in footfall in September and October, he has particularly noticed it in recent months.

But he expects it will pick back up again in the run up to Christmas.

“People will always spend at Christmas,” he said.

Your Money Matters 

Your Money Matters is a campaign launched by us and our sister titles across Newsquest to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living.

We’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost-of-living crisis is having on our readers.