OUR businesses are open and trading.

That was the message from butcher and Worth Valley councillor, Chris Herd, when he visited a newly-established business to mark Yorkshire Day.

Chris took his horse and cart to Hunters of Haworth, in the village’s Main Street, to show his support.

He supplies the business – that produces handmade pies – with meat from his farm at Oxenhope, which is then butchered at his shop, C&L Herd Butchers, in Ingrow.

“I wanted to promote the fact that the area is ready and open for business despite the pandemic,” said Chris, who is also a former president of Keighley Show and a town councillor.

Hunters of Haworth – which is owned by ex-hotel and restaurant chef Nick Sharp, who runs the business with wife Simona – is also a family bakers and has a cafe.

Work began at the start of this year on refurbishing and converting the premises, formerly home to a craft shop.