Cromarty Cheese House couple set to bow out from award-winning Black Isle business after 11 years
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A COUPLE who opened an award-winning Black Isle business over a decade ago are hanging up their cheese knives at the end of the year "to explore new possibilities".
And popular local cheesemongers Jon and Emmy Palmer reckon they have identified the perfect future model for anyone interested in taking on the business they have built since first setting up shop in Cromarty in 2012.
They're now anticipating a hectic run-up to the end of the year before they bow out having made a success of the Cheese House Cromarty – despite some initial local scepticism it would work in the coastal community at the end of the peninsula.
The business began in rented premises on Church Street before finding a permanent home in the town’s former police station on Bank Street in 2015. A small army of local volunteers memorably helped with that flit – a classic case of many hands making lighter work.
An Independent Retailer of the Year accolade in the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards followed in 2016.
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Looking back, many local residents now freely acknowledge their scepticism when they first heard a Dutch cheese shop was going to open in their neighbourhood.
But over the last 11 years the business has added to the local economy and attracted hundreds of additional visitors to the town. As well as running the shop, Jon and Emmy have been involved in many community initiatives and introduced another uniquely Dutch event, the mini arts festival Gluren bij de Buren (Peeking in on the Neighbours), which ran for 8 years.
The specially imported Dutch cheeses have been a regular feature at many local markets and food fairs across the Highlands.
Explaining their reasoning behind moving on from the business, the duo said in a statement: "The last couple of years have not been without its difficulties, adjusting to a post-Brexit way of doing business with mainland Europe. This has contributed to Jon and Emmy’s decision to finish, but that is not to say the business has reached the end of its life. It is still possible to import the cheeses, it just requires ordering more in one shipment (600kg) along with a lot more paperwork!"
Based on their experience of the last 11 years, they believe there is huge potential in continuing with a revised retail model: ditching the permanent shop and focusing entirely on markets and mobile sales.
They say the Cheese House brand has become so well known throughout the Highlands it makes sense to dedicate more time on the road, "taking the unique product to more settlements rather than expecting people to tread a path to Cromarty".
They say that were they younger, they would pursue the new business idea themselves, but being of pensionable age feel their knowledge and expertise is better suited to supporting younger folk who see the potential and have the energy to make it a reality. They say serious enquiries can be made by contacting The Cheese House directly.
They said: "For now, things continue as normal with the latest delivery of cheese expected in the next few days. The big question is: will it be enough to satisfy what is predicted to be an especially busy final festive period?"
You can follow The Cheese House on Twitter @cromartycheese or visit www.cromartycheese.com
