A LOCAL fish smokery is thanking the Hampshire Chronicle for its latest catch.

Butler Country Estates (BCE) has announced the opening of its new factory, kitchen and general premises in Winchester.

Richard Butler says that he found the site after reading an article in the paper.

"It's incredibly exciting for us to reach this milestone and it wouldn't have happened with the help of the Hampshire Chronicle," he said.

"Back in early August, there was the article Keith Webb offers Winchester business property and advice. I missed it, but a friend of mine forwarded it to me.

"I called Keith, and thanks to him, here we are in our new premises."

This is a significant milestone for BCE, who in their second year of trading, has a dedicated commercial space for making.

It means production can now scale-up to meet the ever-growing demand for their Hampshire-made smoked trout pate and fillets.

Richard added: "This news comes in the wake of many recent challenges for the company. At the beginning of 2020, BCE had just entered its second year of trading and was still a very much a fledgeling home-based business.

"Despite a very challenging spring and – with many local markets closing due to the coronavirus – the company continued to grow after shifting the focus to selling and marketing online while building relationships with other local businesses.

"It is the combination of our dedicated customers, who continued to buy online, our commercial customers, the Hampshire Chronicle and Keith Webb that has allowed us to reach this milestone today."

Butler Country Estates has been making smoked trout pate and fillets for nearly two years.

They sell their artisan products direct to customers at the many local farmers' markets and via partners that include bakeries, village shops and caterers who stock their products.