Portsmouth family-run butchers Astles of Portsmouth celebrate 30 years in business
‘We keep innovating and keep changing, it is the way to keep going’
A family run butchers which has become a cornerstone of the local community is celebrating 30 years in business this weekend.
Paul and Karen Astle, who opened Astles of Portsmouth in Copner Road on November 8, 1996, credited “hard work, long hours and support from family” with their success. In the build up to the anniversary the couple have been giving back to the loyal customers who have supported them over the years with one lucky customer set to receive a £100 voucher to spend in the shop this Saturday.
Paul said: “The local support is amazing and has gone from strength to strength. We are part of the community and we love it. Throughout the year we have been doing a giveaway each month to real hardcore regular customers as a thank you for their support over 30 years.”
That support is borne out from years of quality service provided by the award winning butchers with Karen citing the pairs’ ability to adapt and move with the times as a reason they have reached the milestone.
She said: “We are a traditional butchers but we have also changed, we make our own oven ready products now, we have a dry ager and are the only one to dry age in-house in Portsmouth. We keep innovating and keep changing, it is the way to keep going.”
The “proper family business” has had all hands on deck over the years with Karen and Paul joined by their daughters Eloise and Isabelle, and step-son Courtney, while Karen’s late father used to make the pies.
It has not always been easy with the business facing tough times but the family unit have helped each other get through those moments alongside an “amazing team of staff”.
Looking back on when it began, Karen and Paul did not envision getting to 30 years.
Karen said: “I don’t think we thought about getting to this point, we just opened. We were 26 and just winged it a bit and here we are now.”
Astles of Portsmouth began when Paul faced redundancy as the manager of a butchery section in a Bedhampton farm shop that the farmer decided to shut down. When one door closes another opens and Paul jumped at the chance when the farmer asked him if he was interested in starting his own business.
The move to Copnor ensued with the business going from strength to strength as it became more embedded in the community.
Karen said: “Over 30 years we have seen children grow up and they are now having their children. We have had a lady come in the other day who came here the first week we opened and she has being coming ever since, it is amazing.”
Paul added: “We have another customer whose grandchildren play for the local football team so we sponsor them now and try to give back to the community and to local charities as well. They support us and we support them, it is a brilliant feeling.”
Astles of Portsmouth will be celebrating with 30 freebies being handed out on Friday while there will be cake and the £100 voucher to spend in shop on Saturday.