Butcher - Jack Root

Jack Root, (left) with Jimmy Gurteen is standing in the doorway of his butcher's shop, 82 High Street, Halstead, which he took over from Fletchers in 1929. The business was a real family affair as Jack's Father, Ernest and Brothers Joe and Ben helped him and other relations too. During World War II very few staff remained as most were called up for duty and meat was in short supply due to rationing. It was during this periods that Jack bought a shop at 75 Head Street which was a pork butchers shop, known as the "Top Shop". The business of Jack Root finally closed in late 1973. It is interesting to not that Fred Fletcher, the previous owner had a license to sell beer with the meat until 1907.