Friends join last hurrah

HE MIGHT not be going to make any more sausages, but butcher Darryl Hatchett is committed to making hay while the sun shines.

A stream of customers and well-wishers passed through his Bideford St, Hervey Bay, portals for the last time over the weekend to help him close his business on a positive note after 20 years.

"Probably all of our reg customers plus some people just to say goodbye," Darryl said.

"I'm looking forward to not having the stress of a business - you just never switch off."

In hindsight, Darryl says, it is the rise of the supermarket giants that has probably had the most impact on his sales.

"People are probably going to the supermarkets for the convenience," he said.

"Generally the butchers are cheaper and have better-quality product, but the big stores are open late and that helps them."