This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly.     

This week we spoke to Gemma Aykroyd, owner of The Cheeseboard in Harrogate.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does. 

The Cheeseboard sells more than 200 different types of cheese from around the world, with an emphasis on local food. We also sell condiments to go with them, and other deli foods.

What does it require to be successful in business? 

You’ve got to be organised, patient, love your product, have a passion for it, and have an amazing team behind you to support you and come up with fresh ideas.

What drives you to do what you do every day? 

When I wake up in the morning, I love coming in to work because I love cheese. I have a lot of regular customers, and a lot of visitors to the town come into the shop too, which is great because I love meeting people from all walks of life.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months? 

We survived covid, but Brexit means it’s still difficult to get hold of certain cheeses. We used to order from a French supplier on a Tuesday and we’d have the product in the shop by Thursday, just two days later. Now, we order on a Tuesday and we might get it on the Wednesday of the following week – eight days later – if we’re lucky. Our usual Dutch supplier said they could no longer supply direct to us as it had become too expensive, so now we have to go through a wholesaler large enough to be able to absorb the extra costs, and that personal relationship with the small Dutch firm has gone. It’s a real shame.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why? 

We have a real rapport with Ake & Humphris. They do something similar to what we do, but with wine. I love their enthusiasm and knowledge of their product – it’s a lot like ours. We often collaborate doing cheese and wine tastings at Harrogate Cricket Club. We’ve just held one, and the next will be in the summer.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

I literally can’t think of anyone. I’ve drawn a blank!

What could be done locally to boost business? 

Our street is a bit off the beaten track. When people talk about going into Harrogate, they usually mean somewhere near Bettys, so it would be good to get a bit more awareness for other parts of the town, like ours – Commercial Street is great for independent shops.

Also, parking charges are always on the increase and they put people off coming into town, so perhaps free parking on certain days would be a good idea.

Best and worst things about running a business from Harrogate? 

Harrogate is such a beautiful and affluent town – we’re very lucky compared with other towns. It’s a conference town too, which draws people to us.

But perhaps the best thing is our regular customers. We have people who come over to the shop from Manchester, and a regular online customer in the Outer Hebrides.

The worst thing? I can’t think of anything.

What are your business plans for the future? 

The Cheeseboard was founded in 1981 and I’m its fourth owner. I’ve had it since 2000, which means I’ve had it the longest. I have got some plans for the business, but I don’t want to say too much at this stage.

People often ask me why I don’t open another shop, but finding new premises, stocking it and hiring staff can be quite a headache. If I do expand the business, I want to work on events with other local independent businesses.

What do you like to do on your time off? 

I’m engaged and getting married in July, so that’ll keep me busy. Apart from that, I like to be outdoors, keeping fit, walking my dog or playing tennis. And I like to have a few drinks too – especially wine, with cheese.

Best place to eat and drink locally? 

You can’t go wrong with William & Victoria‘s on Cold Bath Road – it’s run to such a high standard. I also like Fisk, the Thai restaurant on Montpellier Mews. There’s a great atmosphere, the service is excellent, and the flavours are outstanding.

• If you know someone in business in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Nidderdale, Masham or the surrounding area and you’d like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk. 

Read more:

• Business Q&A: Andy Ormrod, Flying Colours
• Business Q&A: Mona Norman, Fogal & Barnes
• Business Q&A: Simon Taylor, Boroughbridge Marina

Food often takes centre stage at Christmas, but there are so many elements to the Christmas meal, it can become overwhelming in the kitchen.

So, this week I thought I’d share some of my festive favourites from local suppliers which will be sure to wow all your guests.

Wine: Ake & Humphris

The turkey may be the main attraction of the table, but we all know the value of a good glass of wine on Christmas day.

Ake & Humphris, in Harrogate, has the perfect accompaniments for you: Kovacs Nimrod Monopole 777 Pinot Noir.

This comforting red has gentle notes of fragrant cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry, as well as exotic spices. The savoury characters add complexity to this intriguing pinot with moderate tannins and good body.

It feels like a warm fire on a crisp evening, and has become a staple in my house every Christmas.

The wine, which has aged for more than 4 years in oak barrels, has a velvety and round finish, making it very moreish!

Luckily for Stray Ferret readers, this beautiful wine is available on your doorstep at Ake & Humphris, on Leeds Road.

You can even get 10% off by quoting code GREATWINEFERRET or by ordering it from their website.

Ake & Humphris also offers a six-bottle hamper, specially curated to compliment the entire Christmas meal.

Enjoy!

Ake & Humphris Christmas wine selection.

Cheese: The Cheeseboard

When the post-dinner lethargy kicks in, many of us just reach for a packaged selection of cheese for our Christmas cheeseboard, but why not make it a talking-point of the meal?

The Cheeseboard, on Commercial Street in Harrogate, will make all your dairy dreams come true…

One of my personal favourites, the Stonebeck, is made locally in Nidderdale by Stonebeck Wensleydale Farmhouse.

The cheese is made from the milk of Northern Dairy Shorthorn cows, a rare breed native to the Yorkshire Dales, and is hand pressed and bound in calico before maturing.

The taste and texture are an expression of the farm: soft and creamy with long, complex and layered flavours.

It’s delicate and rich and is guaranteed to put a smile on your guests’ faces.

Blue cheese is probably the most polarising of the cheeses, but I can guarantee you’ll fall in love with Swaledale Blue.

This pasteurised cheese, which is made by the Swaledale Cheese Company in Richmondshire, has a soft, melting texture that dissolves to cream on the tongue and a taste that is mild with gentle, herbal sharpness.

It is certainly full of flavour, but the peppery hints take the classic Swaledale cheese to a whole new level.

I cannot recommend these cheeses enough and both can be bought at The Cheeseboard. Make sure to get them before they sell out!

Appleton’s Butchers: Pies

I know many of us devote ourselves to one particular butcher, but Appleton’s Butchers has become a local institution for a reason.

Pork pie is something I look forward to every Christmas and the premium quality meat on offer at Appleton’s has me dreaming of it from summertime.

The standout medium lattice pork pie, which is even loved by King Charles II and Phil Tufnell, is a testament to Appleton’s commitment to quality, with a perfect balance of pork and pastry.

It also offers the highest quality locally-sourced beef, poultry and Yorkshire lamb.

It may seem a risk trying a new butcher, but this one will pay off when you taste Appleton’s Butcher’s meat!

You can find them in Harrogate, Ripon, Boroughbridge and Wetherby, or order online here.

Appleton’s medium lattice pies.

Chutney

 Christmas isn’t complete without condiments – and chutney is no exception.

Fodder, in Harrogate, stocks a wide range of flavours that will accompany your cheeseboard brilliantly.

The Christmas Chutney is made from plums, apples, onions and sultanas, while the Boxing Day chutney offers flavours of caramelised onion and cranberries.

Find them in store, just off Wetherby Road.

This story contains sponsored content and links. 

Read more:

• Yemi’s Food Stories: Christmas drinks to impress your guests
• Yemi’s Food Stories: Bringing a taste of Syria to the Harrogate district

Christmas is the season to eat, drink and be merry. But it’s easy to get caught up in planning your Christmas dinner and forget about the rest of the food and drink you need.

Here’s our round-up of some of the very best local businesses with the food and drink you’ll need over the whole Christmas period.

Beer from Rooster’s Brewing Co.

Rooster’s Brewing Co. make a range of beers that cover a variety of styles, from pale ales and IPA’s to best bitters, stouts and sour beers, all brewed on Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park.

What’s more, Roosters offers a free local delivery service within Harrogate and Knaresborough*, as well as a ‘Cluck & Collect’ service from the brewery and onsite Taproom!

Find your new favourite beer here.

*Minimum spend applies, please see website for specific areas covered.

Cheese from The Cheeseboard

Is Christmas even Christmas if you don’t eat lots of delicious cheese? Save the hassle of collating an assortment of individual cheeses with a ready packed hamper from The Cheeseboard. 

To keep things local, try the ‘Luxury Yorkshire Hamper’. It contains traditional Wensleydale, mature Yorkshire cheddar, Flat Capper brie, blue Wensleydale, Yorkshire halloumi, Stottie goat’s milk camembert, strawberry jam, lemon and ginger marmalade and Wensleydale chutney from Rosebud Preserves, Blueberry preserves lime curd, and of course, traditional fruit cake.

You can order your Luxury Yorkshire cheese hamper here. 

Gin from Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin

This delicious Whittaker’s gin is a smooth winter spice and fruity 42% London dry gin, an ideal fireside tipple for cold winter nights. Featuring juniper and coriander gently overlaid with signature botanicals of dried bitter orange and currants, it’s perfect as a gift… or a treat for yourself.

It’s best served over ice, with either ginger beer, ginger ale or simply with a plain regular tonic – but don’t be shy with your measure of gin. Add a slice of orange, or for a warming alternative add a star anise and use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

Get a bottle of Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin here. 

Fish from Mackenzie’s Smokehouse

Smoked right here in the Harrogate district at Mackenzie’s Smokehouse in Blubberhouses, the Trawler hamper is perfect for anyone wanting a luxury fish-feasting experience.

Inside you’ll find traditional oak smoked salmon, oak roast hot smoked salmon, kippers, mackerel fillets, smoked salmon pate and mackerel pate.

Order the Trawler hamper here.

Wine from Yorkshire Vintners

The Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper really does have it all when it comes to exploring wines.

It’s a journey through the various styles and prominent origins of wines, starting with a renowned English sparkling Nyetimber, followed by a classic chablis and standout Australian red blend. Moving on, there’s a sauternes, then 10-year-old tawny port, finishing with a wonderfully smooth cream liqueur from an emerging distiller here in Yorkshire.

Also included is a Nyetimber bottle stopper, Grahams Port decanter and corkscrew.

Order the Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper here. Order before 15 December to guarantee for Christmas.

Just so you know, all of the local businesses featured here were selected on their own merit, but some have paid to be featured in this article. 

This article is sponsored by The Cheeseboard.

The Cheeseboard, based on Harrogate’s Commercial Street, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month.

The independent shop stocks more than 200 types of speciality cheese from Yorkshire and across the world, as well as a full range of condiments such as crackers, preserves, oils and vinegars.

Gemma Aykroyd has been the owner of The Cheeseboard for 21 years – making her the longest running of the shop’s four owners. She said:

“Not much has changed over forty years, except that cheese ranges have expanded so we’ve got more products. We’re still an independent shop with an emphasis on customer service, we still have lots of fun, and we still get to know our customers like our friends.

“Especially when you walk around the high street and see how shops have struggled in the last few years, it’s amazing that we’ve reached our fortieth year in such tough times. I’d say it’s probably down to our friendly customer service, professionalism and loyal customers who keep coming back.”

Customer favourites sold at The Cheeseboard include a local Pateley Bridge raw milk Wensleydale from Stonebeck, and Blue 61, an Italian blue cheese steeped in local wine and topped with berries. Not to be missed is Yorkshire cheesemaker Cryer and Stott’s Endeavour, a soft cheese made with Masons tea infused Yorkshire gin.

Of course, The Cheeseboard doesn’t just sell cheese. Truffle honey, which is drizzled over hard cheeses (particularly salty cheese like pecorino) always goes down a treat, and the lovely range of boards and hampers make fantastic gifts.

For the shop’s 40th anniversary on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 December, customers can join in the celebrations by sampling a range of cheeses and enjoying a complimentary glass of fizz. There will also be a lucky dip box, with prizes ranging from truckles of cheese, to vouchers, to a discount off your shop.

You don’t need to wait until December for a chance to win though. Any customers who place their Christmas order before the end of November will be entered into a special prize draw, where three lucky winners will get their order for free!

Find the Cheeseboard on Commercial Street, Harrogate, or visit www.thecheeseboard.net