A THIRTY-four-year-old Devauden man who was once a vegetarian is about to open his own butcher’s shop on Moor Street in Chepstow.

Matt Trim says he was ‘converted’ to eating meat in minutes after tasting a particularly delicious steak while on holiday in the USA!

But he thinks his years as a vegetarian could be an advantage in his new business because he’ll understand the dilemma facing any vegetarian customers shopping for their non-vegetarian family and friends - and he also plans to stock some vegetarian products.

Matt, who will be managing director and head butcher of the renamed and refurbished Trims Town Gate Butchery, says starting his own business is ‘a dream come true’.

Having completed his sixth form studies in Monmouth, Matt started working with his father in-law at a butcher’s shop in the town 16 years ago and has never looked back.

“I was still a vegetarian then but I’d always liked hands-on work and making things, so becoming a butcher or a carpenter was an option,” he said.

Having learnt to cut and prepare meat to customers’ requirements, his butchery skills have since seen him involved in demonstrations at prestigious events all over the UK, including the Abergavenny Food

Festival.