‘PETE the Meat’ has finally hung up his cleaver after a half century of serving the people of Chester.

Peter Jones has run a butchery business in Garden Lane for more than 40 years. Before that he worked at other city butchers.

Farmer Pete, who lives in Manley, near Frodsham, has handed over his Garden Quarter business to new owner Joe Farmer, 26, who is being helped by his brother Chris, 28, both of Saughall.

The standard of service from P A Jones Quality Meats of Garden Lane has come in for high praise from a number of customers including former city councillor Gwyn Cooper.

“I’ve been a customer of Pete’s for 50 years and have never had a bad piece of meat from him,” she said.

“He was well known in the Garden Quarter area for his good humour and banter – especially with the ladies.

“He has supplied meat for many local businesses and hotels and provides the ever popular meat packs for students which many of the locals also buy as they are such good value .

“I’m pleased the business has been taken over by another butcher – but we won’t half miss Pete."

Back home at Manley Farm, a bungalow is nearing completion and Pete might consider reopening his farm shop there later in the year.

New owner Joe Farmer has worked in a number of city butchers, including in the market and at the butchers in Westminster Park.

Joe says he has been made welcome in his new role. “It’s going really well,” he said. “The people are lovely and it’s a really nice area.”