Meet ICR 2023’s maker support champion: Cartmel Cheeses

As you’d imagine from a business originally co-founded by a cheesemaker – Martin Gott of St James Cheese – the focus at Cartmel Cheeses is well and truly on selling cheese at its very best. The shop is now run by Ian and Steph Robinson, father and sister of Nicola Robinson, who works with Martin on the farm and cheesemaking side of the business.

“We pride ourselves on sourcing what we believe to be the best farmhouse cheeses,” says Steph. “We deal directly with each cheesemaker and look after each cheese to ensure we show off the hard work and love that goes into making each cheese. All our cheeses are handmade, and the milk mainly comes from the farmers’ own herd or flock.

“Each cheese can vary throughout the year due to what the animals are grazing on, or the time of the year.” Keeping customers happy and well fed with the best cheeses in their prime is of paramount importance to the team. “We like to change some of the cheeses on the counter from time to time, to make sure all our customers always have something new and interesting to try.”

In a popular evolution, the range is becoming increasingly peppered with local produce. “We are finding more and more that our customers are wanting locally sourced produce, so that is what we will continue to try and source,” says Steph.

Of course, building a team of the right people who will not only work as ambassadors for the cheeses they sell but who are also delighted to be given the opportunity to explore the world of cheese is a must.

“We find the best training comes from tasting the cheese, and learning the special characters/flavours each cheese has,” says Steph. “We are a quite small team.
The shop is run by my father and I.

“We also have two brilliant members of staff, Peter and Becky. Peter has been with us for over 10 years and Becky coming up three years. We all love the job we do. Who wouldn’t enjoy eating cheese every day!”

Find out more about the team by reading their profile in the latest issue of Inspirational Cheese Retailers.