Famous butchers Ginger Pig are to take over the old A.G. Dennis site in Wanstead High Street, after the shop closed in January after 90 years service.
Following months of speculation, the company has now finally announced it will open a renovated store at the end of the summer.
The refurbishment will see a vast seasonal shop window installed to display hanging joints, dry aged beef ribs and other cuts throughout the year.
Founder Tim Wilson chose to take on the site after hearing A.G. Dennis had been forced to close.
Mr Wilson also spoke to local residents and shop owners, and took a liking to the “bustling high street”.
He said: “I started farming because I bought an old farm house which felt sad and empty without animals, so I ended up getting a few, which then became the start of the Ginger Pig.
“Similarly Wanstead High Street feels incomplete without a butchers shop and I felt a sense of responsibility to restore what was suddenly missing in Wanstead.”
Mr Wilson said it was “bonkers” to have “a fishmonger, grocer and baker without a butcher”.
He added: “It’s very important to me that the presence of the local butcher in villages, towns and even cities is preserved and encourage so I’m very much looking forward to opening Ginger Pig Wanstead later this year.”
In a Recorder poll in January 129 people said they wanted the North Yorkshire butchers to replace A.G. Dennis, with only one person voting against it.
This will be the 21-year-old company’s eighth store in London, with the previous nearest being in Hackney.
A spokeswoman said: “Like all Ginger Pig shops, this new addition will concentrate on quality fresh meat from native breed animals reared naturally, slowly and from farms employing the highest welfare practices.”
The news is a boost to Wanstead High Street, after reports that the HSBC branch will close this month.
It was voted in the top five High Streets in London last year.
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