Rochdale Online Competition

Win a copy of Butcher Boy - a new book about Rochdale in the 80s and 90s

Win a signed copy of new book, Butcher Boy, by local author John Matthews. 

The book is an autobiographical story of what it was like growing up in Rochdale and working for his well-known father, Raymond Matthews, in the town throughout the 80s and 90s.

The book chronicles a time when the high street was absolutely thriving.

John said: "It’s about a time not so long ago when Amazon was just the name of a river, a time when customers shopped locally and were treated like royalty. It is about a time when things were bustling, and young men were expected to do as their fathers wished – whether they wanted to or not.

“My dad was very well known as probably the most famous butcher in town. He established, ran, and was very proud of Matthews Butchers which ended up in a prime retail location on Yorkshire Street.

“The book is really for former customers of my dad’s business, of which there are thousands, who may find it fascinating to hear what it was like behind the counter working for a very ambitious dad, and also remember what those amazing shops were like."

To win a signed copy of the book, all you have to do is answer the following question.

Closing date for this competition was midnight on 30 November 2020.