About

A little shop in Richmond

We’re an independent cheese shop in Richmond, North Yorkshire, the gateway to the Dales. Surrounded by history, beautiful countryside and brilliant independent businesses, we feel very lucky to call it home.

The Cheese Press opened its doors in March 2022 with a simple idea: to bring together exceptional artisan cheese, great food and wine, and a few things you might not find anywhere else.

Historic Croft, Marr & Smurthwaite wine merchants in Richmond, Yorkshire

A building with History

The building has been part of Richmond’s story for rather longer than we have.

Records from 1888 show the building in what was then known as Back Ends, home to James Shaw, a carpenter, joiner and undertaker. By 1890, Croft Marr & Co. wine merchants were trading here, beginning an association with wine that would last for decades.

There’s even a local memory of wine being delivered from here by cart during the Second World War.

Today, The Cheese Press adds another chapter to that story, filling the old stone building with artisan cheese, wine and plenty of good things to eat.

Amber Lee, owner of The Cheese Press in Richmond

Meet Amber

The Cheese Press began with Amber Lee, a growing obsession with artisan cheese and, as many good ideas do, a cheeseboard and a Kir Royale.

After leaving a corporate career, Amber studied with the Academy of Cheese and the Guild of Fine Food before opening the shop in March 2022. Since then, she’s built the range around brilliant producers, things worth seeking out and, occasionally, something you might not have tried before.

It’s still at the heart of how we do things today: good food, good knowledge, plenty of enthusiasm and a shop where everyone should feel welcome.

A few things we’re rather proud of

Since opening in 2022, we’ve been lucky enough to pick up a little recognition along the way. In 2024, The Cheese Press was named Best New Business at the Richmond Business Excellence Awards, and in 2026 we were named an Inspirational Cheese Retailer by Speciality Food magazine.

Amber has also studied with the Academy of Cheese and the Guild of Fine Food, and holds WSET Level 1 and 2 qualifications — all part of the ongoing quest to know more about good cheese, good wine and, most importantly, what works brilliantly together.

We’re very proud of the awards, but even prouder to have built a shop people enjoy coming back to.