Gouda Cheese Experience
At the request of the city of Gouda and the province of Zuid-Holland DST experience agency developed a concept for a privately run tourist attraction on Gouda cheese, including a feasibility study and business plan. A smartly orchestrated combination of stakeholder management, finance, design and business plan made the Gouda Cheese Experience possible.
Finance and sponsoring
Apart from concepting, DST also performed location surveys and contributed to substantial sponsoring from FrieslandCampina and Vergeer Holland. DST also engineered the architecture for the investment loan and accompanied the procedure for the remaining financing by the Dutch government bank, combined with a guarantee from the city of Gouda.
Specialist co-operation
DST was responsible for translating the concept to a final design for seven of its ten rooms and coordinated the build. This included project management for structural changes to the building, utilities, interior finishing, exhibit installation, decorating and turn-key delivery. We worked together with specialists in the areas of construction, the monument agency, installation, interior decorating, exhibitry, retail, food & beverage, lighting, AV and interaction design. The result is a privately owned themed attraction that is all about Gouda cheese. With lots to do, discover and, most of all, to have fun with.
Result
Gouda Cheese Experience opened its doors in June 2020. The only unforeseen fact was the global Covid-19 pandemic, delaying the opening by three months. Despite the pandemic, the attraction aims at receiving 50,000 visitors in the opening year.