Dadd’s Family Butchers in Westgate reopens following sad loss of owner Justin Marsh

Dadd’s Family Butchers in Westgate has reopened its doors after a break following the death of owner-butcher Justin Marsh.

Wife Diane, who previously looked after the catering side of the business, has now taken the helm – making the shop the only female-led butchers in Thanet.

Justin passed away in July, aged just 55, due to cancer. He was cared for in the last few weeks of his life at Pilgrims Hospice in Margate.

Mum-of-three Diane says it was Justin’s wish that she carries on with the business.

Justin and Diane bought Dadd’s from former owner Alan Dadd in September 2020, during  covid.

Justin had worked at the shop for four years prior to taking it on. He had previously packed in his factory job to go self-employed in the IT field and took a part-time job at Dadd’s for extra income.

Diane had previously worked at Payden’s Pharmacy, just two doors up from the butchers in St Mildred’s Road, before joining Justin in the business.

She now heads up a team of two drivers, five butcher staff and Nadia Olive who has taken on the catering and delivery side.

Among the staff is Dan Corn, former butcher/manager at Quex and also a previous Dadd’s employee.

Diane and Justin became a couple in 2010 and tied the knot in January this year. Diane and family are now fundraising for Pilgrims Hospices to thank them for all their care.

Diane said: “Justin was in the hospice for four weeks and I was with him round the clock.

“It is just an amazing hospice. I have made a couple of raffle donations for their garden party this month and am doing anything I can to help them, not just because they helped us but because they help everybody who needs it.”

Find the fundraising page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/justin-marsh-dadds-butcher

Dadd’s butchers is at 66 St Mildred’s Road, Westgate and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057266177469