A POPULAR butchers' shop is being taken over – but will keeping its well-known name.

In April, family-run butchers', Vic Hopkins & Son, on Barry’s High Street announced it was closing due to declining footfall and the impact of the Covid pandemic.

The butchers' shop had been a fixture of Barry for 54 years and the news was met with sadness from the local community.

But now Barry husband-and-wife Steven and Jessica Norman have bought the building and plan to reopen it – keeping it under the same name, but revamping and moderning the building.

Mr Norman is no stranger to the industry – he’s been at W A Harris Butcher, which was established in Cardiff in 1952, for 18 years and now owns the business, along with Vic Hopkins Butchers in Barry.

Barry And District News:

“I always liked the idea of a business in Barry,” said Mr Norman.

“Vic Hopkins is well established – it has been part of Barry for 54 years – and if it goes it will never come back, it will be lost for good.”

He checked in with the former owners about reopening, under the same name, and was given the green light.

The shop has been revamped and modernised and is set to reopen on Thursday, July 14.

“We’ve had a phenomenal response,” added Mr Norman.

“I’m a true believer in working hard to build a reputation and we will keep the standards and expectations.

“It will benefit the High Street as it will bring people to the area; there’s plenty of hairdressers and bars about, but not many butchers.

“Butchers are different to a supermarket; we could never compete with their prices, but people who come to us will get a service they wouldn’t from a supermarket.

“People will get friendly service and knowledge; we talk to our customers and get to know them.”

Vic Hopkins Butchers will reopen its doors on Thursday, July 14, from 8am to 4pm with special offers, including 10 per cent discount to help celebrate the big day.