Cheese Shop Shut Down In Amsterdam

A cheese store in Amsterdam, selling famous Dutch cheeses, such as gouda and edam among others, must remain closed after a judge ruled that its presence conflicts with a localised ban on ‘tourist shops’. Find out why here…
The store in question, the Amsterdam Cheese Company, was forced to close last year after Amsterdam’s local government instated a ban on businesses that specifically cater to tourists. This legalisation means that stores, restaurants and other establishments in certain areas around Amsterdam’s historic city centre, cannot obtain business licences, if they are geared solely towards holidaymakers, rather than residents. The government purportedly devised the ban in order to make these neighbourhoods more accommodating for Amsterdammers and create space for other, locally orientated businesses.

The ban effects popular tourist destinations in central Amsterdam

The store’s owners appealed this decision in court on the grounds that their business sells Dutch cheese to both tourists and locals alike. They also maintained that they signed their current 15-year lease before the ban was put into effect in early October. Furthermore, they challenged the ban’s validity, arguing that what constitutes a ‘tourist shop’ hasn’t been clearly defined by the government.
The judge presiding over the case recognised that the Amsterdam Cheese Company had signed their lease before the cutoff point, but highlighted that they had renovated the shop in order to attract tourists after the ban was introduced. The judge also concluded that the store’s prices are far higher than elsewhere in Amsterdam and that its advertisements clearly target tourists, partly through English language slogans such as: ‘say cheese to life’ and ‘our cheeses are ready to fly’.

Dutch cheeses are a popular souvenir for visitors to Amsterdam

Although the shop will remain closed for the time being, its owners told the Guardian that they intent to appeal their case at a higher court in the near future, with the support of their suppliers. We’ll have to wait and see what happens…

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.