BOTLEY is set to lose another independent business this weekend when long-standing community butcher, Brock’s Butchers, closes its doors for good.

Andy Brock, who runs the shop in Elms Parade, will today be serving up his final slice of steak at the store after 22 years.

It is the latest in a long line of independent stores which have left the area since plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of the West Way shopping centre were approved two years ago.

Mr Brock, who said the decision to close was not a direct result of the redevelopment, said: “I’m sad to be going and I’d just like to say thank you to the people who have used me over the years.”

Co-chair of West Way Community Concern, Mary Gill said it was inevitable that the decision made by Vale of White Horse District Council to sell the land to developers Mace would have consequences with a drop in footfall at the centre.

She added: “Independents are struggling to get the people in to pay the rates.

“It’s a sign of the times, but it’s completely contrary to what the Vale set out in the local plan.

“This will mean another reason for people to get in their cars and go out of Botley.”

The closure marks the end of an era for many local residents with Mr Brock taking over the then empty unit in November 1996.

Botley resident, Margaret Harris, who had been using the butchers in Elms Parade before Mr Brock even moved in, said: “It’s always been a butchers and I will really miss him.

“He’s been a great butcher all the years I’ve known him.”

Her son, Martin Harris added: “I’ve lived here all my life and we’ve always used it.”

Rosalynd Graham, from Botley said: “It’s such a great loss to the community - I’ve been coming here for years.

“It’s nice to have individual shop keepers rather and anonymous supermarkets. I’ll really miss him.”

Mr Brock, from Banbury, remained tight-lipped on his future plans but when asked if he intends to remain a butcher he replied: “It’s all I know.”

Elms Parade itself will not form part of the new development, however, a number of independent shops in Westway square, such as Cafe Aloha and the Westway Chippy, have left Botley to make way for the planned Westway Place scheme.

Meanwhile Tesco will open its new temporary store in Elms Court today.