The Teddington Cheese

Cheese Shop at 74 Hill Rise
The Teddington Cheese image
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1 / 10 from 1 review
Address
74 Hill Rise
Richmond
Richmond upon Thames
TW10 6UQ
Map
Telephone
020 8948 5794
Region
Richmond
Nearest Station
Richmond
0.48 miles
Category
Cheese Shops
Opening Times
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Open 10:00 - Closes 18:00
Thursday Open 10:00 - Closes 18:00
Friday Open 10:00 - Closes 18:00
Saturday Open 10:00 - Closes 18:00
Sunday Open 10:00 - Closes 17:00

User Reviews

Angus Fold
from Richmond

Oct 29, 2020

Shocked, dismayed and appalled are all an understatement of our feelings after the behaviour we witnessed and were subject to from the attendant/owner of this cheese shop. He was rude, insulting and abusive to us in public.

It was a crisp autumn COVID Sunday, when my wife and I were walking from the High Street towards Richmond Gate to photograph the deer. We came across this little independent cheese shop (Teddington Cheese, on 74 Hill Rise, Richmond) and my wife suggested to buy some cheese for a wine and cheese dinner. We went into the shop together with our masks on and suddenly we were abruptly stopped by a masked attendant with an emphatic: “only one can enter!”

No “good morning”. No “excuse me sir/madam, would one of you mind waiting outside because…”. Oh no, an imperative “only one can enter!”

Surprised and somewhat bewildered, my wife and I looked at each other with our COVID masks on and tried to explain to him that “we are in the same household and thus following the government guidelines, it is alright for us to come in together”. Our explanation was followed by “I don’t care. Only one customer in the shop at any time”. Perplexed, we looked at each other and I said to my wife, pick whatever you like, and I walked out of the shop. Once outside, looking at my wife choosing cheese from the shelf, I reflected on what had just happened. This was wrong. This was so very wrong in so many levels. There was no reason to be treated like this by this man. This was utter abuse. So I signalled my wife to come out. I wasn’t going to take it.

The attendant didn’t waste any time and as soon as my wife came out of the shop he stormed out right behind her shouting at us. “Why do react like this? Don’t you see I am protecting myself?” So sorry. Yes, the man is in his right to protect himself. No question about that. But I am also in my right to shop and spend my money wherever I want. My only reply was: “Because I don’t want to shop here”. And he carried on raising his voice in the middle of sidewalk with unfounded arguments until very angry he stormed back inside the shop. Angry because he lost a sale, I do not know.

Over Sunday roast in our local Richmond pub, we looked up at the reviews of these cheese shop in Richmond. We were not surprised to find that this is a repetitive theme in the reviews. I recalled then what my grammar teacher used to say: the first time is a mistake, the second one is stupidity, the third time is intentional. The person in question has no regard whatsoever to the persons visiting the shop or to customer service. This was one of the most unpleasant customer experiences I have ever had. Treated with disrespect, abhorrent disdain and even shouted at in the middle of the street in front of bystanders.

I do not know whether this person is an employee or the actual owner. Nor does it matter for me now. I am certain I will never shop in this place or its branch in Teddington. I am appalled by the behaviour of this person and intend to contact the shop in the hope something is done about it.

During this COVID crisis, we (consumers) have agreed to sacrifice some of our customer service expectations. When the restrictions were reduced, some of us have gone out and booked our local pubs, supported our local fishmonger or our butcher. It is hard for them and for us too. Unfortunately , and to be honest, some businesses (B&Bs, restaurants, cheese shops in this case, etc) are taking advantage of the situation to “impose” on us their own definition of customer service beyond government guidance and, in some cases, even higher prices. But there is a limit. In the end, the old adage of customer service: “customers remember the service a lot longer than they remember the price” still remains.

In a nutshell, caveat emptor: If you are looking for an overpriced cheese shop with an attendant that will disrespectfully service you, this is your place. For the rest of us looking for places that value their customers and their loyalty, there are many other places to support in these COVID times.
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