A JOHNSTONE butchers has closed its doors after decades on the high street.


The shutters have come down on MacKenzie’s Butchers for the last time, with the shop’s owner admitting it had become a “real struggle” to make a profit.


Gavin Colquhoun took over the business last year after previous owner Ronald MacKenzie retired.


Having started his career at MacKenzie’s, Mr Colquhoun now runs the award-winning Elderslie Butchers.

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And he said the decision to close the Johnstone shop was made with a heavy heart.


Mr Colquhoun told The Gazette: “It was just turning into a real struggle. The last thing I wanted to do was close it but it just made no sense when all the customers were coming to us in Elderslie.


“I started my trade there, so it is a real shame. It used to be heaving but, in the last few years, it just got harder and harder.”


Generations of Johnstone residents bought their meat at McKenzie’s over the years but, in recent times, many traditional butcher shops have struggled to survive.


Elderslie Butchers, which has employed staff from McKenzie’s following the closure, also operates a nearby steakhouse and sells oven-ready full meals, such as curries, as well as a variety of burgers, chicken wings and ribs.

The Gazette:

Gavin Colquhoun is focusing on his business in Elderslie


Mr Colquhoun added: “The team I have at Elderslie are absolutely amazing and we are busy all the time.


“I was told before I set the place up that this is a dying trade but everyone has to eat. You just have to give them what they want and what they like.


“We are all young here, so we do see things changing and can act quickly on that.”


At the most recent meeting of Johnstone Community Council, it was suggested by one member that a decision to move a bus stop in the town’s High Street had contributed to the closure of McKenzie’s, as it had ‘diverted’ customers elsewhere.


Mr Colquhoun said: “When the bus stop moved, that did make it even harder but there were other factors too.


“I hope someone else might step up and take it over. You’ve just got to be smart in business sometimes and go with your head and not your heart and it was just too quiet.”