Once again I see that the old Barlows Butchers shop in Stockbridge Road is to have a new owner who hopes to open up as a wine bar in the future.

I have many memories of the shop with its large front window displaying all its choice meat products etc.

It also gave a good view of the butcher boy spreading the fresh sawdust on the shop floor and giving me a wink while the manager had his back turned. Who would have ever guessed what this would lead to when the builder starts work on the premises who knows what graffiti and proof of the building's past history he will uncover. 

Hopefully the future owner will read this letter and give the new business a name relevant to the site and its past uses. I hope it will help the other owners in this area of Stockbridge Road keep it alive and bright as it always was with Smith the Grocers Chippy Norths, Bookmaker Bert, Mr Rovai Newsagent, Barlows Butchers along with other independent traders. 

Margaret Grant,

Buriton Road,

Harestock,

Winchester