Public perception over the locked out Affco meatworkers in Wanganui is slaughtering the bottom line at the Imlay Butcher Shop.
Owner/operator Stephen Weekly said there was a widespread perception that the privately-owned Heads Rd butchery was somehow connected to the Affco Imlay processing operation, but that was false.
"We are definitely privately-owned and source the majority of our product from Land Meat. Product from the Affco Imlay plant is mainly for export only - we are not connected to that operation and remain open despite the perception that the lockout is affecting our ability to open and supply our usual range of product - it is business as usual," Mr Weekly said. "Our income has been seriously affected since the lock out of meatworkers last week and on Saturday we couldn't open because the weather bomb knocked out our power. We now have power and are open for business."
Mr Weekly said he decided to keep the trading name as the Imlay Butcher Shop when he bought the retail outlet in August 2010 when it was placed into liquidation.
"I kept the name because it is iconic, not because we are part of the Affco Imlay processing operation," Mr Weekly said.
