A BUTCHER from Carmarthen is planning to expand into Pembrokeshire after his shop won the Welsh Butcher of the Year award.

Owner Chris Rogers plans to launch a steak and gourmet burger bar in Pembrokeshire after Rogers and Son won the Hybu Cig Cymru accolade.

Winning in 2015 rounds off several years of consumer excellence as Rogers and Son were nominated and shortlisted in every year since 2012, the year that the shop opened.

"We are delighted to win Welsh Butcher’s Shop of the Year award, it means so much to us,” said Chris, one of Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ Butcher’s Club members. “It was a huge risk in 2012 to leave a secure job in another butcher’s to embark on this adventure; businesses were still struggling from the recession.

“The risks and all the hard work are starting to pay off and this is only the beginning! We have a great team in place at Rogers & Son that all work very hard, and of course, without our loyal customers, we wouldn't be anywhere.”

Fellow Welsh finalists and fellow HCC Butcher’s Club members Bodnant Welsh Foods of Conwy and N S James and Son of Raglan were commended at the National Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards held in Leeds.

“HCC is proud to sponsor this award and we’re all really delighted for Chris and Collette,” said HCC Market Development Manager Laura Pickup. “It is the icing on the cake for us that all three finalists are members of HCC’s Butcher’s Club, which has become a sign of customer assurance and quality wherever it appears.”

Chris’ shop trumpets traceability and proudly announces “From Pasture to Plate” to his customers at Lammas Street, Carmarthen.

Since opening, Chris and Colette Rogers have enjoyed a busy time at the popular shop in the heart of west Wales. Stepping out on his own wasn’t a shot in the dark for Chris, as he had previously worked for 14 years at an award winning Pembrokeshire shop - and he had sound linage, with his grandfather’s family running a number of shops across the Rhymney Valley in the post war years.

Now they have won, Chris and Collette don’t plan to stand still. “Our future plans are to expand and open a steak and gourmet burger bar in Pembrokeshire... so watch this space!"