Founded when Queen Victoria was still on the throne and in the year the Central Line opened on the London Underground, Hancocks of Monmouth is set to celebrate its 125th birthday.
The butcher’s shop has served Monmouth through 125 years of world wars, recessions and a rapidly changing retail landscape.
Founded by “grandfather” Alderman Charles Hancocks, the original shop was bought for £20 and 10 shillings. He used to drive cattle up to 18 miles on foot from Ross-on-Wye or Hereford Market at the beginning of the last century.
In the 1950s the shop passed down to “father” Reginald Hancocks who survived tuberculosis and the removal of one lung. He expanded the business to add a greengrocers and fishmongers.
“Son” and current owner Howard Hancocks took over in 1973, modernising the business and butchering techniques, winning titles such as South Wales Butcher of the Year and Burger Master of Wales as well as numerous sausage awards and trophies.
Howard Hancocks, Hancocks of Monmouth owner, said:
“It is hard to believe that I started working in the shop, aged 16, in 1959 – time flies. We are proud that Hancocks of Monmouth remains a stalwart of the high street today. The customers coming through the shop doors over those years number into the tens of thousands and many of my regulars have become friends. Those customers are the heroes of the 125 years of the Hancocks family business and I am extremely thankful to have served them – then and now.”
