BOLTON’S independent butchers and fishmongers have beaten the recession with a big increase in business.

Traders at Ashburner Street market continue to sell goods to thousands of satisfied customers despite the country’s financial crisis.

Fishmonger John Stuart Kay, aged 54, of the Out of The Deep Too market stall, claimed that selling fresh fish at a reasonable price is the key to successful business during tough times He said: “I travel to Manchester to buy fresh fish on a daily basis. You don’t see every supermarket doing that.”

After competing with mainstream shops during his 35 years of working on the market, Mr Kay’s business is at the height of its success.

And negotiation with wholesalers and buying in bulk is enabling Bolton’s market retailers to provide customers with a wide range of quality goods.

Choice Cut Butchers have also seen success as they sell fresh local produce.

Manager, Carl Gibney, said the recession has worked in their favour as customers are wanting value for money.

A recent report by the Local Data Company showed that independent retailers are becoming a more popular option for customers .

Gary Birchall, manager of Salmon Kings, said: “Our stall has not been affected by the recession compared with other mainstream businesses who are clearly suffering.”

Karl’s butchers opened a second stall 10 years ago to sell fish which has proved a major success.

Owner, Karl Larkin, aged 37, said: “We were never affected by the credit crunch. Business went sky-high after we opened the second stall and it has stayed the same ever since.”