The last butcher's shop in a north Essex town could close if an expansion plan by a neighbouring store gets the go-ahead.

Brian Jose started thinking about selling up his business after he was approached by the Spar Stores in Wivenhoe on the Cross.

Falling trade and increased red tape over the past few years have been a major factor in his decision.

Mr Jose, who has run the Butcher's Shop for 14 years is also looking into taking over a shop in Colchester, but not a butcher's.

He said: "I'm quite happy to stay here, but if the Spar are going to give me money to go, I will go, but they have still got to buy me out."

Both shops are owned by the same landlord.

Mr Jose said: "I'm the only independent butcher here, even the Co-op hasn't got one. To be honest I have a lot of loyal customers but over the years my passing trade has gone from 90 per cent to 40 per cent, with the other 60 per cent to restaurants and pubs."

Mr Jose, who lives in Great Bentley, said new regulations for butchers have meant extra paperwork and inconvenience.

"At the end of the day paperwork is not what pays the bills and brings the money in, it is customers who bring the money in," he said.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Colchester Council's planning and traffic regulation committee will decide if Spar can build a single storey extension as well as assimilating the butcher's shop. This will almost double its size.

Brian Dack, owner of the Spar business, said: "The problem is we are offering a facility here that's limited because of the size and we would like to be bigger.

"When I heard his business was up for sale I thought it would be a good opportunity to help him, us, and the community."

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