Speciality Food Inspirational Cheese Retailers 2025

specialityfoodmagazine.com 41 Revisited The ability to change with the market and to constantly add new lines, say John and Mark. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A GREAT CHEESE RETAILER? It’s nomean feat adopting a business with an already strong and loyal following. But for John Clarke andMarkMoss, who took onwhat was Birkdale Cheese Centre in Southport (which had nearly 50 decades under its belt), the shop’s long history served as a solid, reliable foundation for growth. Since being handed the reins in 2021, the duo have continually driven the business forwards, each change strengthening their existing customer base, and bringing in new faces. An increased deli offering, from rillettes to charcuterie and finewine, has tapped into the growing trend for grazing and charcuterie boards; the business’s name, logo and branding have changed under their ownership; and an increased focus on social media has breathed new life into the shop – withMark saying social platforms have become a “strong tool” for them to reach younger shoppers, especially. The last 12months, he adds, have been, “really positive, with a steady increase in sales. We have attracted lots of new customers, introducing them to theworld of specialist cheeses”. And that world is vast indeed - the shop set aside from its competitors thanks to a bulging counter of nearly 150 varieties, with themost recent favourite being 8 Blumen (an Alpine cheese wrapped in eight different flowers). All new additions are tried, tested and approved by thewhole team, who are fully focused on customer experience, Mark says proudly. “Somany people are intrigued by cheese but are frightened to branch out and try something new. Customers are free to try any cheese from the counter, and the ‘try before you buy’ concept builds trust and allows us to build relationships with our customers.” The teamare able to build further on those relationships thanks to a series of new monthly events held at Birkdale Cheese Co, working in partnershipwith other local businesses, and including cheese andwine, and cheese and beer tastings, whichMark says are selling out far in advance. These calendar highlights are a chance to help customers old and new learnmore about the cheeses that are amainstay in their baskets, thrilling newdiscoveries the teamare dying to share, and also the shop’s own four varieties – Birkdale Cheddar, Birkdale Cheddar Smoked, Birkdale Cheddar infusedwith Chilli and Lime, and cave-aged Birkdale Blue. Birkdale Cheese Co WE HAVE ATTRACTED LOTS OF NEW CUSTOMERS, INTRODUCING THEM TO THE WORLD OF SPECIALIST CHEESES