A fond farewell: Upwell butcher J.D. Spikings & Sons calls it a day after 50 years
Barbara Seaton, John Spikings and Vivenne Spikings of Spikings Butchers, which is to close after 50 years. - Credit: Archant
A family-owned butcher in Upwell has closed after being in the village for almost a century.
J.D. Spikings & Sons, on St Peter’s Road, sold its last packet of sausages on Friday (4) evening following the retirement of owners, John and Vivienne Spikings.
The couple have been a mainstay in the Fenland village for decades but have decided to hang up their hooks and cleavers after 50 years of running the shop.
And when asked why he has called it a day, John Spikings simply said: “I’ve had enough!
“My family has been here since about the 1920s, and I’ve worked for 70 years.
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“I’ve been here for the last 50 years and I thought it was time to do something different while I still have my health.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, and, in fact, those who have been with us for over 50 years.
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“The family has made many friends along the way and we’ll miss them greatly but we hope we will have more time to chat over coffee when out and about in the village.”
Jessie and William Spikings began the business in the early 1920s, until their son, Jack, took over.
Jack married Wisbech butcher Kathleen Cole and the couple had three children; Barbara, Mary and John.
John began working at the butchers aged 13, and began full-time work there in 1966.
He took over the business a year later after the death of his father, and was later joined by Barbara and wife Vivienne, who has worked there for the last 19 years.
The butchers is now up for lease, with Daltons Business describing it as a “well presented premise at the heart of the community.”
