Nominations open for Inspirational Cheese Retailers 2025

Speciality Food is searching for independent cheesemongers to feature in the 2025 edition of Inspirational Cheese Retailers, and readers are invited to share their nominations here now.

The last 12 months have been difficult for the retail sector, with new challenges to face, including the rising price of energy, staffing and stock (with milk and dairy prices especially impacted), as well as the trickle-down effect of the cost-of-living crisis on customers.

However, we’ve also seen incredible tenacity and innovation in this sector over the past year, with our independents battling on, weathering the storms, and coming out fighting. It’s with a great sense of pride that Speciality Food continues to support and shine a light on some of the best of the best.

The 2024 edition of Inspirational Cheese Retailers (which you can download here) featured profiles of some of the UK’s most exciting and successful cheese shops, as chosen by professionals and cheese-loving consumers. Each one was hand-picked from dozens of nominations, selected for outstanding performance in a particular niche, such as ‘Expert Affineurs’, ‘The Educator’ and ‘The Experimenter.

Steve and Caroline Ward, founders of St Giles Cheese in Northampton, were delighted to be included, having founded their business on a shoestring budget, in the midst of a recession. “We were doomed to fail,” Steve said, revealing they were, at best, enthusiastic amateurs when they opened their doors.

But that enthusiasm has translated into a raft of customers who adore visiting their shop to explore the wonderful world of artisan cheese. “Over the years we have become friends with many of our customers,” Steve continued. “Each week, we remember what each of our regulars was up to last week, and what they like or are not fond of – one finds oneself building a mental flavour profile for each of these customers. There then comes a point when you can recommend a cheese without even given a taster, such is that customer’s confidence you’ll pick the right one.”

Another winning retailer who adores sharing their love of cheese is Moz Murphy, owner of grate Newcastle, where British and Irish varieties are championed first, followed by the best of Europe. While the shop sells locally made chutneys, pickles, crackers and bread, cheese has long been, and will continue to be, Moz’s prime focus.

“Lots of people have suggested diversifying into more of a deli, selling charcuterie and oils etc. We have dabbled in some charcuterie from time to time, but ultimately my background is in cheese, and that’s my passion.”

Moz’s focus has seen grate grow a sizeable fanbase that’s family orientated. “We have so many regulars who come in week on week with their parents or children,” Moz explained. “We get lots of foodies, and plenty of local chefs and restaurant people too.”

It is passion like this that makes the speciality food sector such a rewarding environment, and we want to shine a light on retailers upholding these values.

In the 2025 edition of Inspirational Cheese Retailers (nominate here), we will be showcasing a new batch of worthy winners who are champions of their local region and the very best cheese from around the world; and we want you to have your say!

If you know an independent who deserves to be named as one of 2025’s Inspirational Cheese Retailers, fill out this simple form and nominate your winners, it only takes a minute.