Cheese shops

[jazzer]

Traditional deli's began to suffer and struggle when the supermarkets opened instore deli counters and could purchase and supply goods at lower prices as they bought in bulk that deli's could not ultimately deal with and slowly but surely they began to close. 

But now the supermarkets have all but closed their deli counters perhaps this opens the opportunity for those who fancy a punt and have the experience to open new deli's, and likewise bakeries to open that produce bread and not the reheated frozen "bread" sold by the supermarkets which they purport to be instore baked. They or at least Sainsbury's and I guess this applies to the other three multi national supermarkets no longer scratch bake. It would be so good to se traditional delis and bakeries re-open.   

[Brian up the hill]

Am I right in thinking the cheese shop in the Village has gone? 

[malumbu]

Yes.

I imagine the retail environment is complex and with every change there are winners and losers.

The end of retail price maintenance meant the big supermarket chains could undercut small grocers, and specialist shops, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker 

Allowing supermarkets to open longer meant the corner shop lost some of its advantages.

Changing consumer demographics, the move to the big shop by car (and now on line) rather than walking or getting the bus into town several times a week, and/or local shops, many of which have long since gone, put more pressure on small retailers.

But against all this we have niche outlets, farmers markets and the like doing well.

Comparing Peckham and East Dulwich is interesting, one has numerous fresh food shops offering good value, the other has products generally costing much more, with their own USPs.

Shops come and go, trends come and go, and there is always a risk that demand disappears, or there is more competition.

Good discussions thanks.  To open it up rather than dwell on the retail environment, how do cheese stalls at the Horniman and Herne Hill farmers market fare?  Assuming they are still there - haven't shopped at Horniman since it moved from Saturday and recent visits to Herne Hill have been to buy lunch when going to Brockwell Park.

Edited August 8 by malumbu

[bonaome]

On 06/08/2025 at 11:59, Insuflo said:

Cheese Block, Mons and Heritage formed a cheese triangle.

Oh, very strong!

On 06/08/2025 at 12:51, Spartacus said:

This is a Philly thread 

Yes. We must proceed Caerphilly 

[Dulwichway]

Get on the "cheesy peas"  great combo! 

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

1 hour ago, bonaome said:

We must proceed Caerphilly 

These cheese puns make me sick. I suppose you could call me lactose intolerant.

[Spartacus]

Cheesus 

[malumbu]

Plenty more where that came from

[bonaome]

On 08/08/2025 at 18:49, Brian up the hill said:

Am I right in thinking the cheese shop in the Village has gone? 

Yes, but I remember it fromages ago.

[Monkey]

It’s Mons all the way for us. Super friendly. And they know their customers . They even asked me why I bought so much Comté. LOL. This is the cheese from my area in France  and I eat it without thinking. I LOVE their Fourme  d’Ambert, one of the oldest cheeses in France. Much creamier than Roquefort and much cheaper too. Also love their selection of goats cheese - and the fact that they regularly discount cheeses that have ripened a bit too much, which is how I like my cheese.

Been lobbying them to make Fromage Fort, which is a hit like potted cheese. You take old leftover cheeses and ferment them in white wine. If other Burgundians are in the area, please join the lobbying effort. 

Heritage cheese used to sell an absolutely amazing Gouda from Cornwall and I really enjoyed this but they’ve stopped selling it. 

Can’t comment on Cheese Block - so grumpy in there I’ve stopped going in. Perhaps I’m missing out. 

 

 

 

[David Peckham]

1 hour ago, Monkey said:

 

Heritage cheese used to sell an absolutely amazing Gouda from Cornwall and I really enjoyed this but they’ve stopped selling it. 

Can’t comment on Cheese Block - so grumpy in there I’ve stopped going in. Perhaps I’m missing out. 

 

 

 

The Cornish Gouda was featured in an early episode of 'Rick Stein's Cornwall'. It's actually made by a Dutch family who moved here. The series is being repeated on BBC2 at the moment, so it's probably available on the iPlayer.

Cheese Block stock a great 'Old Amsterdam' aged Gouda, if you can bring yourself to go in, or M&S do one made with Jersey milk.

I've never found the Cheese Block all that grumpy. I think they just get a bit frustrated when it's busy and people don't know what they want. It's not ideal, but I try to go in when it's quiet if I'm undecided, and they're almost friendly.

Here's a link to the Rick Stein show. It'll be available soon, apparently. Hopefully it'll help you track down the Gouda.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qzxr

 

Edited Monday at 08:26 by David Peckham
Added link

[Peckhampam]

On 06/08/2025 at 20:01, David Peckham said:

 

 

Their mozzarella is fine as well, and ridiculously cheap compared to the branded stuff. It's going to get complemented up by a light chiffonade of basil, a brunoise of red onion and a suggestion of Balsamic anyway,. So fuck it. It's a fool's errand to spend more.I

Amazing!!!!!!

[David Peckham]

1 hour ago, Peckhampam said:

Amazing!!!!!!

Thanks Mum!

Sorry about the swearing.

Edited Monday at 10:08 by David Peckham
Sp

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

15 hours ago, bonaome said:

Yes, but I remember it fromages ago.

You've taken these cheese puns whey too far.

[Spartacus]

I went to Mexican Mama last week to get some bits and almost walked out without paying for some Cotija cheese till the owner stopped me and said "that's Nacho Cheese" 

[ArchieCarlos]

On 11/08/2025 at 08:37, David Peckham said:

I've never found the Cheese Block all that grumpy. I think they just get a bit frustrated when it's busy and people don't know what they want. It's not ideal, but I try to go in when it's quiet if I'm undecided, and they're almost friendly.

 

The uncle is so grumpy, I agree. But the nephew is really chatty, friendly and knowledgeable. It's a bit of a lottery, depends which one of them you get serving you!

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

On 06/08/2025 at 13:39, Glemham said:

Heritage Cheese in Vanity Square closed suddenly yesterday and has a High Court notice on the door “That goods have been secured on site”. Apparently the Dulwich Estate knew nothing about the closure.

It might be some time before another tenant can move into the shop……..

Just for the sake of accuracy: it is not correct that The Dulwich Estate knew nothing about the closure.

Neither is it correct that a new tenant cannot move in for a while - the Dulwich Estate notice is saying the stuff that was left in there will be binned or stored for 3 months, not that they're going to be stored on site for 3 months. Now the landlord is back in possession, they can rent it out as soon as they find a tenant.

[bonaome]

On 11/08/2025 at 14:09, Dogkennelhillbilly said:

You've taken these cheese puns whey too far.

Sorry. They have become a bit grating. It was just a rarebit of fun.  

[Spartacus]

I hear there was a bear seen in Dulwich Park this week, a bear warden was dispatched by Southwark to capture it.

They used a piece of cheese as Bears are partial to cheese (not marmalade sandwiches) and was heard crying "Camembert  Camembert" to coax it out. 

[jazzer]

These puns are becoming woefully bad like a stinking bishop. 

[Dulwichway]

Lets hope the rest of the weekend is gouda brie a good one for all, we shall be having fun throwing a frisbrie around this afternoon, happy days.

[ianr]

Is there time stil tonight?  I think I curd manage another round or two.

[jazzer]

How gouda do that?