Video - Britain’s oldest family business celebrates 500th birthday - a butcher’s shop which has survived plagues, wars and flood

RJ Balson and Son started life as a market stall in Bridport, Dorset, in 1515 - the year that Thomas Wolsey was made a cardinal during the reign of Henry VIII.

Since then it has overcome two world wars, recessions, fires, food scares and more recently competition from supermarket chains. But half a millennium - and 26 generations - later, the butcher’s shop is still thriving and this month celebrated its 500th year of serving locals with sausages and bacon.

Related topics: