APPARENTLY, Winchester has not had a butcher in 15 years.
Well, now it does, as Westlands Farm Shop opened its doors to customers on Thursday, November 8, after a lightning-quick turnaround to prepare the shop for trading.
Owners Kayleigh and Graham Collett were there to speak to clients and discuss the myriad of produce on offer, ranging from prime cuts of beef to freshly baked bread, fruit and veg, frozen goods, wines and a variety of trinkets (some already Christmas-themed).
Kayleigh said: "There's a nice buzz around the place. We've taken on eight new members of staff and we have a really fabulous team, which is lovely."
READ MORE: Westlands Farm Shop prepares to open in Winchester
Kayleigh added that, as part an the initiative to help support other local independents, Westlands has hidden five cows in five other shops around town which customers can go and find if they are feeling adventurous.
Kayleigh's husband Graham also spoke to the Chronicle about the positive feedback their business has received in the city so far.
He said: "The response from people has been great. While we were building the store there was lots of interest. It's been a very fast turnaround – we literally got the keys to the building four weeks ago."
Graham credited "multi-skilled" brothers Mike and Ryan Winn, who both work on the Colletts' farm in Whickam, for the speed of the preparations.
SEE ALSO: Westlands Farm Shop owner discusses plans for Winchester
He also explained how the Winchester shop differs from the one near Wickham.
"Most of the products are the same," said Graham. "The key difference is that here we have some products that are unique to Winchester."
He added: "We run monthly training where we'll actually take the team to the farm and meet the local producers because that way, when the customers come in, they're talking to someone who's actually seen the farm, who's spoken to the producers."
Natasha Dochniak of Hampshire Fare was enthusiastic about the shop, which is part of the collective of local producers in the county, supporting other businesses in the area.
She said: "I think it's great to now have a butchery and a farm shop right in Winchester. Westlands have been proud members of Hampshire Fare for many years and we are absolutely delighted to see them go from strength to strength."
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