A cracking first year of trade for town cheese shop
A BURTON business owner who set up his cheese shop during the first lockdown says he’s never looked back.
Terry Williams opened The Cheese Station, in High Street, in July 2020 and specialises in selling more than 100 types of cheeses, chutneys, crackers, and wine.
He is experienced in the cheese industry and previously owned a cheese deli, in Burton Market Hall in 2015, and after moving back into the town last year he decided to give it another go with The Cheese Station, and he says the decision to open his own shop was the right one.
He was open during lockdown as food stores were allowed to carry on serving customers as they were classed as essential shops.
And next month will be his oneyear anniversary of opening the shop so to mark the occasion he will be selling some specially made Burton-themed cheeses.
The 45-year-old, said: “To begin with it was a bit up and down, but now we are seeing people buying local and supporting the local trade, which has been very helpful.
“Opening a business in lockdown was a risky move, but I am glad I did and its seems to be paying off. “The items I sell are for acquired taste. There is a lot of artisan food and we have something for everyone.
“We have a few popular choices: the Barber 1833, which is an extra-strong mature cheese, is popular, the While Stilton with Mushroom and Garlic, and we also have a Harlech cheese, which is horseradish with parsley.
“There is no real difference from being in the market hall and the high street, you don’t really get the footfall from the town centre, but overall I would say it’s pretty much the same.
“When I decided to open my shop I didn’t have a preference to where I wanted to set up; having a shop of this kind would automatically attract customers to me and that’s the case.
“We have a website on which customers can order through a click and collect service, but we also offer local delivery as well.
“We are coming up to our oneyear anniversary and I am hoping to bring out a couple of special cheeses to mark the occasion so it’s very exciting times.
“I am working with the Staffordshire Cheese company to release Burton-themed cheeses for the anniversary, one will be called the Burton Blue, a soft creamy blue cheese with black pepper and also Cooper’s Joy, which is Cheddleton cheese flavoured with a Burton bitter and garlic.
Opening a business in lockdown was a risky move, but I’m glad I did and it seems to be paying off.
Terry Williams