Eastwoods has won countless awards for its top quality meat, which has been used by Gordon Ramsay, in big budget films and is to be used for a series of Carlsberg adverts this year.

However, despite its top reputation it is having its worst year since owner, Joe Collier, bought it 18 years ago.

Double yellow lines outside the shop, which first opened in the early 1900s, means there is no parking for customers.

Mr Collier, who over the years has raised more than £130,000 for the local children's charity, the Pepper Foundation, said with the economy in a fragile state they are falling on hard times.

He said he has pleaded with Dacorum Borough Council to help with parking but says it has 'fallen on deaf ears'.

The father of two and grandfather-of-five said: "Farmers and butchers across the country are suffering. Eastwoods is not definitely closing, but it has been the hardest year ever, and unless something changes we may be forced to shut. We need the council and community to support us.

"We are not asking for a lot, just two parking bays people can use for 20 minutes so they don't have to keep looking over their shoulders to see if there's a traffic warden about."

He added: "We have extremely loyal customers who we are so grateful for, but we know they get frustrated not being able to park."

In response a spokeswoman for the council, Louise Oughton, said: "We have already formally consulted residents on putting a parking bay near to Eastwoods in 2006. The feedback from this consultation was that 12 people who responded were against the scheme and only one for the scheme.

"While we are sympathetic to Eastwood's needs for parking provision near to their premises ultimately we have to balance business requirements against the needs of local residents. We are not aware of any shift in local opinion."