“Generator of social bonds”, the big-hearted butcher is permanently closing his business on Avenue de l'Europe in Bagnols-sur-Cèze

Ahmed Henda (à gauche), avec des clients devenus amis, Karim et Abdella. Midi Libre – C. C.

Ahmed Henda, installé depuis 2009 avenue de l’Europe, stoppe son activité avec regrets.

An entire neighborhood is becoming an orphan. At 25 avenue de l'Europe, “A la Boucherie”, the local business created by Ahmed Henda in 2009, closed at the end of November. The passionate butcher is in the process of tidying up, supported by friends in this difficult ordeal. In the 90s, this native of Pont-Saint-Esprit opened a restaurant-pastry shop-snack bar in Bagnols, Le Rif, then managed a butcher's shop between 2006 and 2008 next to the Posterlon. “We were doing well when we arrived. The customers followed us!” Little by little, inexorably, the business suffered a decline at the same time as citizens saw their purchasing power fall. The closure of the car park opposite his shop did not help. “It's paradoxical, I see the flow of cars and the traffic jams every day”, on this very busy road. “I decided to close because every year I see the evolution of the disaster. I fought. I have a pang in my heart to leave. But I was sinking into quicksand. The stress has wrecked my health. You eat, you sleep, you live with the bills and the reminder letters […]. The average basket has reached €10, when it was €30 for years.” Another example, in the summer, he sold 90 kg of merguez sausages per day. This summer, “I went down to 15 kg per week. People are no longer looking for quality.”
He didn't skimp on quality. Ahmed worked with Cévennes lamb, French beef, “Limousine, Charolais, high-end charcuterie. And to compensate for the losses, I started catering”.

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“I gave it my all”

Ahmed worked seven days a week, until late at night, to prepare couscous, tajine, chili con carne… He delivered delicious meals to people who could no longer get around… “For me, it was the best meat in Bagnols!”, shares his friend Karim. “He specialized in maturing meats, he had a loyal clientele,” adds Abdella. And he was born generous. These days, while tidying up, he found all the unpaid checks, €8,000 in fifteen years, and all those to whom he gave credit who had not paid their debts… He who offered to those who had nothing to eat. “He creates social bonds in the neighborhood, continues Abdella. All the grandmothers know him and like him. He has customers who kiss him. You don't see that anywhere else.” “I thought I'd work until I was 80, end my life in my butcher's shop.” He's 64 years old.“I did the simulation, I am entitled to a pension of €360. And if I work until I am 67, I will have €680.” Last week, to the president of the commercial court who was ruling on the liquidation of his business, he concluded: “I gave everything!”

He passed on his know-how

His CV is impressive! Ahmed Henda has worked many other professions (mechanic, welder, truck driver, fire safety officer, tractor driver, etc.), he was a shepherd in Véronique for five years, with 500 sheep, and he had to “mow, collect, bring in 6,000 to 8,000 bales of straw or alfalfa”, then he embraced this profession of butcher with all his heart. He has also trained a number of butchers who are now working in the sector.

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