Speciality Food Inspirational Cheese Retailers 2025

– for its immense range (around 130 changing cheeses at any time), and for the knowledge and sheer enthusiasm Peter imparts frombehind the counter. “What was very apparent from the start,” he says, “is people don’t know what goes into some of the products they buy. I wanted to have a huge stock list so we could be a destination to try lots of cheeses, to draw customers in, so I can share what real, artisan cheese is with them. We can open their eyes without being too preachy about it.” Regular tastings and talks allow Peter to connect further with customers. “We canmake recommendations frompersonal experience. People like the fact I can tell themnot only where a cheese is made, but the name of the head cheesemaker, and exactly how it’s made. It’s that personal connection.” In a bid to push his educationmission further, Peter set up A Cheesemonger’s Guide on YouTube. The series follows him on his travels across the UK, meeting cheesemakers and giving the inside scoop on where and how their products are made – putting a face to many of the varieties his customers will see week-in, week-out. “The idea is to keep it nice and down to earth, to try and get some engagement 12 @specialityfood N ature surrounds Cheese and Bees – perched within farmland on the cusp of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Originally opened by beekeeper Peter Davis, today it’s in the hands of a new family – with another Peter (Pooley) at the helm. Peter fell into shopkeeping quite by accident, he jokes, having previously worked in the motor industry. “I’ve always enjoyed good food, and socialising around food,” he says, “and when I heard Peter was struggling to keep the shop going andmight have to close it, I told him it was such a shame, and gave him lots of ideas. They needed a website. Their social media presence was low. There was so much he could do. He said, ‘I think I’ve found the man to take the shop over!’” At the time, Peter knew very little about the cheese world or what it would mean to work in retail, but he took the change of pace in his stride, and says he is loving being part of what is such an inclusive, friendly industry. “I find it all so fascinating too. There’s such a culture around cheese throughout history, and then there’s the science –minor changes canmake a dramatic difference. All these things resonated withme from the start. I was hooked!” Sharing knowledge Being rural, but with good links to the three surrounding counties, Cheese and Bees has become a destination shop LOCATION: WALPOLE ST ANDREW FOUNDED: 2022 FOUNDER: PETER DAVIS Cheese and Bees The Educator Peter continues on his travels for A Cheesemonger’s Guide , and along the way is collecting content and creating recipes for a cheese cookbook he plans to publish. “So, we might visit Cheddar Gorge, write about their cheeses, and show how to use them. We’re currently in discussions with a couple of people to put that together and our plan is to have it out in 2026.” PLANS FOR 2025 EAST ANGLIA