An award-winning West Lancashire butcher has announced the closure of its Ormskirk town centre shop with a heartfelt plea of "use us or lose us", just over a year after it first opened.
Butcher Farrell's Meat Emporium confirmed the Church Street shop has shut for good, with owners Jonny and Amy Farrell describing the news as causing them "massive heartbreak."
The couple said they will now focus all their efforts on their original shop at Owd Barn farm shop in Bispham, near Ormskirk, alongside nationwide deliveries and their wholesale business supplying restaurants.
In an emotional social media post, Jonny Farrell wrote: "We would LOVE to see you, bloody hell we really need your support right now.
"It's hard out there for all us independents, use us or lose us people!"
From Hong Kong to Lancashire
Butcher Farrell's Meat Emporium first opened at Owd Barn in November 2021, with Jonny Farrell bringing a unique background to the trade.
He started butchery whilst living in Asia, working as a group butcher for a restaurant group in Hong Kong, where he developed a passion for dry-aged meat and learnt the craft of bespoke ageing using a custom-built Himalayan salt fridge.
A trained chef as well as a butcher, Jonny worked with chefs from around the world before returning to the UK to manage several butchery shops and eventually open his own.
The business won the Best New Butchery Business UK award in 2023 and was this year named a finalist for Newcomer of the Year at the 2026 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.
Customers rally behind the business
The closure prompted an outpouring of support from loyal customers on social media.
One wrote: "It's hard keeping a good small business going.
"I understand totally why this has happened.
"Your produce is fantastic, take care."
Another said: "Was only the other week I had this epic steak from here.
"Thought about it every day since!
"Will be driving up to the barn for more soon, wishing you all the best Jonny."
A third added: "Such a brilliant addition to Ormskirk town centre, high quality meat, great variety and such a knowledgeable team.
"So gutted it hasn't worked out for you."
Where to find them
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Butcher Farrell's Meat Emporium remains open at Owd Barn, Spencers Farm, Rufford Road, Bispham, near Ormskirk, L40 3SA.
The shop is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, and closed on Mondays. Nationwide deliveries are also available through their website.
The business supplies a number of acclaimed restaurants across the North West, with its high-welfare, free-range and pasture-raised meat sourced from farms practising regenerative agriculture.
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