The Cheese Yard, an established cheese shop and café in the centre of the affluent Cheshire market town of Knutsford, has sold via Christie & Co to a local businessperson, off a leasehold guide price of £75k..
The 18-cover cafe with additional outside seating offers a contemporary menu served with exquisite wines, local ales and delicious home-made cakes. There is also a purpose-built, unique, glass ‘cheese room’ which provides an optimum environment to store and display a range of cheeses.
This is complemented by a retail offering that comprises a wide range of edible goods, including artisan cheeses and crackers, local chutneys, ales and wines, bespoke gift hampers, plus wedding cheese ‘cakes,’ capitalising on the growing trend of alternative celebration cakes.
Sarah Peak, who founded The Cheese Yard in 2013, sought a sale in order to relocate to the Lake District.
The venue has been purchased by Vincent Lazzarini, the business’ existing manager, who plans to continue running the business as The Cheese Yard in order to capitalise upon the goodwill that it enjoys within the local community.
Lazzarini commented, “I spent my whole career in catering, starting as a pastry chef in France to managing restaurants and shops.
'A few months ago, I had the opportunity to buy the Cheese Yard in Knutsford which I have managed for the last three and a half years. I have always had a passion for food, and I love encouraging people to try new products.
'To me, cheese is one of the best foods ever made. There are so many different cheeses in the world to try and all you need to enjoy them is a bottle of wine, some bread, family and friends.”
Ashley Cobban, Business Agent at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, said, “We’re pleased to have assisted Sarah in finding a buyer for The Cheese Yard. Given Vincent’s experience within the business, I have no doubt that he’s in a great position to take it forward whilst maintaining everything that existing customers know and love.
'Lifestyle businesses such as The Cheese Yard continue to prove popular with buyers who wish to generate an income from doing something that they’re passionate about. As such, demand from the market remains strong.”