Today marks a special day in the calendar of dairy enthusiasts up and down the country – it’s National Cheese Lovers’ Day!
Whether you enjoy a cultured cheeseboard with a glass of wine, cheese and crackers in the afternoon, or a simple cheese pizza, today is the day for you.
We spoke to the owners of two of the most popular locations for cheese on Merseyside, Birkdale Cheese Co and Crosby Cheese & Charcuterie, about their businesses, the variety of cheese on offer, and why they love the art of cheesemaking.
Birkdale Cheese Co
Established in Birkdale Village, Southport 45 years ago, Birkdale Cheese Co offers a wide range of British and Continental Cheeses and is a staple of Birkdale’s main street. A small shop packed full of products, it’s a favourite among locals.
Previously known as Birkdale Cheese Centre, it’s undergone a rebranding since it changed hands in May 2021.
The new owners, Mark Moss and John Clarke, have worked hard to expand the range of options that they provide – branching out from just cheese.
Mark said: “Myself and my partner own it, as we’d always liked the idea of having a deli or something like that. This is the ideal scenario to have – things very rarely come up for sale, and then by chance this came up, and we went for it.
“When we bought it, we wanted to increase the deli side here. We’ve now got a huge range of crackers, chutney, olives, specialist hams, new products like pate.
“We wanted to get products in that you can’t get at a supermarket. Since we can’t compete with supermarkets price wise, the only way we can compete is to offer something different.”
They stock their own products too, with their own-brand Birkdale Cheddar and Birkdale Chutney being some of their top sellers all-year round.
On Saturdays, Birkdale Cheese Co also has a tasting day – giving out samples of two types of cheese for free out on the counter – and it’s resulted in some hidden gems being discovered.
“We recently did Saint Agur samples, and it was sold out in two hours, all the Saint Agur we had in the shop! And all that people were saying was ‘this isn’t what Saint Agur is like from the shops’”.
Crosby Cheese & Charcuterie
Crosby Cheese & Charcuterie is located a couple minutes’ walk from the Waterloo train station, and specialises in local & continental cheeses alongside cold cuts of various meats.
Recently opened in September 2021, the store often provides catering to events, such as the Waterloo Christmas Festival, the Liverpool Gin Festival, and local social events in Crosby.
It was a passion project for owner Lee Zeverona, who had a love for cheese and cheese pairings for years before opening up Crosby Cheese & Charcuterie.
Lee said of opening the business: “For years I talked about owning a cheese shop, and it got to the point that if I don’t do it now, I never will.
“So, I put my business plan in place, and before I knew it, I had my shop in St John’s Road, Waterloo. I turned my passion into a career.”
Since opening, the business has grown steadily, and have launched a popular ‘Cheese Club’ event that gives guests the chance to experience new cheese and wine pairings.
Lee said: “It’s a relaxed night out where you’re given 6 cheeses and a glass of wine. All the cheeses are from the shop, so people can enjoy an evening with some lovely cheese & wine, but also to have a taste of our products.
“If they like the cheese, they know where to find it! It’s a great opportunity for us, and for everyone to learn about our shop and where to find us.”
Featured image (c) Mackenzie Argent
