A SPECIALIST cheese shop and deli opened its doors for the first time yesterday.

As businesses all around it were closing due to the third national lockdown, The Renoufs Pantry flung open its doors in Westbourne Arcade in Bournemouth.

The boutique shop is the latest addition to the Renoufs Cheese and Wine Bars portfolio and fans are in for a treat.

The company also has restaurants in Westbourne, Southbourne, Wimborne, Lyndhurst and Verwood. they are currently closed due to the requirements of the national lockdown.

The new shop offers more than 200 local and international artisan cheeses as well as charcuterie and other products you would find at the group's restaurants.

When its opening was announced, Renoufs founder Trevor Ayling told the Daily Echo: "Renoufs is passionate about supporting local dairy farmers, cheesemakers and other businesses in the area, and we believe our new shops will showcase the largest cheese selection across the south coast. We also have plans to make our very own cheeses too."

He said he was inundated with requests for a takeaway Renoufs during the first lockdown.

"We can now offer our customers this facility, where they can visit our shop and create their own sharing boards to feast on at home, come rain or shine" he added.

Local produce on offer includes chutneys and jams produced by From Dorset With Love, Pear Haus coffee, which is roasted in Dorset and a selection of Dorset Sea Salts harvested from Chesil beach.

It will also sell eggs and honey from Fluffetts Farm in Fordingbridge, hand made chocolates from Miss Witt and black garlic from the South West Garlic Farm.