A BUTCHERS based on Bangor High Street for just under 150 years has been forced to closed down.

The popular G Williams and Son shop, known locally as “Johnny Six”, first opened way back in 1870.

It is believed that liquidators arrived at the building on Friday before telling eight members of staff they were going to be made redundant.

Over their years of operating on Bangor’s High Street, the family-run business became famous for the quality meats and home made sausages and burgers they sold.

Owner Mandy Williams confirmed that the company had gone into liquidation but did not wish to comment further.

A Bangor resident who did not wish to be named added: “It’s always been a tradition of mine to go to G Williams and Son early on Christmas eve and pick up the turkey.

“It’s just a case of another one of our famous old shops biting the dust.”

Councillor Gareth Roberts labelled the closure of the business as "another blow" for a High Street which has lost several old shops in recent years.

"It is depressing to see our high streets around the country struggling," he said.

"Something needs to be done about business rates so that we can find a better model."

More recently, G. Williams and Son had been offering hot meals to take away, breakfast baps and a hog roast outside the shop.

The closure comes as a blow to Bangor, who's Council recently announced that the City's market has been extended for another three years in a move that Mayor John Jones labelled "good news".