From market and site pitches to shop opening: local butcher goes from strength to strength

Credit: MJ Meats on Facebook

A husband-and-wife-run local butchers has gone from strength to strength, with business improving so much that they have moved from temporary set ups in markets and local venue car parks to the opening of a new shop.

MJ Meats was set up as a mobile business by Mark Jacques in 2024, going on to take up temporary pitches for short periods of time at various locations across the borough. In between, it has gained a 5-star rating based on user feedback on Google and Facebook.

However, business has gone so well, that it has transitioned from a mobile-only service to firstly completely renovating then opening a new shop in Heanor with a new frontage and signs, in order to meet high local demand.

The last day of operating as a mobile business was 4th April, in order to throw all efforts into opening up the new site.

A statement on social media said: “What started as a pipe dream escalated beyond our hopes and dreams into something amazing and we couldn’t have done it without you all, our loyal supporters, so a huge thank you.”

Speaking to Erewash Sound about the transition, Mark’s wife Angela, who will be working part-time in the new shop, said: “We aim to bring back traditional values and enhance the community spirit and look forward to welcoming our loyal customers from Ilkeston, Heanor and surrounding areas as well as lots of lovely new faces.

“We’ve had lots of enthusiasm and positive support from the public through Facebook, which is our main platform.”

The new business was set to officially open at the top of Wilmot Street in Heanor, opposite The Market Place on Thursday 16th April at 11am, pledging lots of giveaways, and a raffle to be drawn on the following Saturday as well as lots of special opening offers.