AN AWARD-WINNING business is looking forward to opening its second East Lothian shop next month.

The Cheese Lady has proven a popular addition to Haddington town centre since it opened in 2017.

Now, Svetlana Kukharchuk has confirmed that customers will soon be coming through the doors of a second premises on North Berwick’s Church Road ahead of the festive season.

The Cheese Lady will soon be opening her doors in North Berwick (Image: Newsquest)

She told the Courier: “I’m very excited. It has been a long time coming.

“We have been looking to expand for a while and we came across this and it feels right.

“I think it will be a good fit and I love North Berwick.”

Svetlana worked in France and the USA before moving to Scotland.

READ MORE: The Cheese Lady scoops another top prize at awards ceremony

The Cheese Lady was originally based on Haddington High Street but moved to larger premises on nearby Court Street about three years ago.

Now employing four full-time members of staff, Svetlana, who lives in Dunbar, confirmed that the business would be looking to hire additional staff in the run-up to Christmas, with at least two jobs created at the new shop as well.

She said: “It is pleasing and very surprising there is such a demand for the business.

“I have always said that I did not expect this to be the case.

“I am encouraged and feel really great and humbled by how people support our business and they like our products and respect what we do.

“It is all very humbling and I am grateful.”

It is not just in East Lothian where The Cheese Lady’s popularity has been noted.

Last year, the business was named the regional winner for Scotland at the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards, while Svetlana, 42, was also crowned Scottish Business Woman of the Year.

And earlier this year, she was honoured with the coveted Small Independent Retailer Award at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair, as well as picking up the Entrepreneurial Award at the East Lothian Courier Community Champions Awards.

Svetlana Kukharchuk won the Courier's Entrepreneurial Award earlier this year (Image: Gordon Bell)

An opening date of November 12 has been pencilled in for the North Berwick shop.

Svetlana added: “The Haddington store will remain our flagship store at the moment, with North Berwick an addition.”