A large number of Wanstead residents have appealed to famous butchers’, The Ginger Pig, to replace recently closed fellow meat trader AG Dennis.
The family run butchers’, in High Street, Wanstead, shut earlier this month, after serving the community for more than 90 years.
Residents took it upon themselves to find a suitable replacement.
The Ginger Pig uses North Yorkshire farmers to supply meat to seven trendy shops across London.
A spokeswoman for the company said: “It is quite frequently the case that when a butcher closes in the capital, the local residents contact us about it and ask us to take over the site.
“In many cases where there is a particularly large number of enquiries, we feel obliged to look into it. This has certainly been the case with Wanstead.”
But despite the site’s agent, Jim Moloney from Smith Price LLP, publicly stating he is in talks with The Ginger Pig, the spokeswoman explained real negotiations had yet to begin.
She explained: “We have indeed made very early stage enquiries. That is as far as things have gone at this point, we are not in any lengthy or meaningful discussions with any agent.”
If the company were to open it would be a big boost to the High Street, which has seen two banks as well as the butchers’ close recently.
This is despite it being named in the top five High Streets in London last year.
Also of concern to independent businesses will be the rent being charged for AG Dennis’ old site – £40,000 a year.
Darren Toakley, chairman of the Wanstead Business Partnership, explained such high fees put the lease out of range of many small companies.
“It could start to driving businesses if the rents get too high, it will damage the High Street.
“You are damned if you do – get a nice High Street which is popular – and damned if you don’t – rents rise due to the popularity.”
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