A businessman made redundant during the first national lockdown has bounced back by opening his own cheese shop in Tunbridge Wells.

Jonathan Cook, who has lived in the town for more than 20 years, lost his job in London at the end of the first Covid wave.

But now he has turned his focus on running The Cheese Shop Tunbridge Wells on St John's Road.

It will embrace the best of local Kent and Sussex cheeses including Kingcott Dairy, and Alsop & Walker, along with traditionally made British cheeses, including cheddars, Stiltons and regional favourites. They will be joined by classic European cheeses, such as Brie de Meaux, Gorgonzola, Manchego, and cave-aged Gruyere.

He was inspired to make the move after seeing the success of his sister's cheese shop in Conwy, North Wales.

Mr Cook, said: “Opening our shop, and starting the business fulfills a longstanding ambition of mine. The lack of a cheese shop in Tunbridge Wells has been a subject of many a dinner party chat and conversation driving back from my sister’s home in Wales.

“Some might think it brave to open during a global pandemic, but never has there been a greater interest in buying local and knowing where our food comes from. We’re delighted to meet what we know is an untapped demand for quality cheeses and want to become the go-to place for it in the town.”

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