A FAMILY business is celebrating seventeen years trading this month.

The Crabtree family have been running Crabtree’s catering in the premise in Blackburn Road.

The butty shop used to be an off licence but owners said the demand for groceries and other items dwindled over the years because of the supermarkets.

Carol Crabtree works alongside her husband Philip her son Mark and daughter-in-law Steph.

Carol said: “I can’t believe we have been trading for seventeen years.

“The changes have been great especially from going from an off licence to a butty shop.”

The family specialise in homemade pies and a selection of homemade sandwiches.

Crabtree’s is open seven days a week and Carol said the customers keep coming back.

She said: “We have a lot of passing trade and lunchtime is our busiest period.”

The menu is varied and offers warm dishes such as curry and chilli. The homemade pies along with chips, peas and gravy are also a winner.

Carol added: “We have a lot of good customers who come back on a daily basis and we have lots of passing trade.

“Our dishes are made on premises and freshly served.”

The shop closed in lockdown and the family have implemented the measures to ensure social distancing is a priority and customers are safe.

Carol said: “It has been a challenging time for all traders but we are glad to be back up and running.”

As well as being a catering business Crabtree’s still sells some of its customers’ favourite sweets from behind the counter.

Uncle Joes Favourites and Joseph Dobson are the popular confectionary items on display.

Carol added: “People love to come in and have a look at the sweets behind the counter. It’s a tradition.”

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