FLAMBOYENT Rockwell Green butcher Michael Coate has denied he is closing down his shop despite a planning application to turn the building into a single three bedroom dwelling.

The 61-year-old, who has been running the shop and other businesses with his wife Anthea over 41 years, said: “Business is booming. Why should I want to stop trading here.

“I will be reaching retirement age in four years and this application, if it goes through, will remain in force during that time.

“I’m too busy to retire. In fact I’m thinking of opening a shop in Wellington.

“I left Court Fields School at Wellington with no qualifications. I got those at Cannington.

“I’ve built up by businesses over that time. I could go abroad if I wanted to but I like to keep hands on. I‘ve never had a holiday in my life.

“I might take the odd day out with Anthea, or go riding, but that’s all.”

Mr Coate says he plans to continue to be involved with the Farmers’ Market in Wellington on the first and third Saturdays of each month.