The Story of The Jewellers Guild: A Family Legacy 24 Years in the Making
Have you ever wondered how a family business begins—and more importantly, how it thrives through decades of change? Ours is a story of resilience, risk, and a shared vision that’s spanned generations. Here’s a look at how The Jewellers Guild came to be—and how, 24 years later, it continues to flourish.
Our story starts with our dad, Keith, whose early career in the jewellery world began at Ratner’s Jewellers, a well-known high street name during the 1980s and early 90s. Rising through the ranks to become an Area Manager, he gained extensive experience in both retail and leadership—experience that would later prove invaluable.
Those familiar with retail history may recall the infamous turning point for Ratner’s in 1991, when then-CEO Gerald Ratner made a now-notorious remark in a speech to the Institute of Directors. The fallout was swift: the company lost £500 million in value and, within a few short years, was restructured and rebranded. By 1993, Ratner’s was gone, and the group emerged as what we now know as Signet Group, with many stores rebranded as H Samuel.
In the aftermath of these events, we found ourselves relocating to Morpeth, Northumberland, where our dad had taken on a new role as Northern Regional Manager for Goldsmiths. It was a big change for our family, but Morpeth quickly became home.
Although Dad settled into the new position, over time he became disillusioned with the corporate world and made the bold decision to resign. Around the same time, a small retail unit in the original Sanderson Arcade became available—previously a cobbler’s shop, it offered an affordable opportunity to take a new direction.
With a determined spirit and a £7,000 gamble on his credit card, he opened the first Jewellers Guild store. There was no lavish funding—just resourcefulness and vision. The shopfitting was humble: many of the fixtures and fittings came from IKEA, and in true entrepreneurial style, Dad even used wooden chopping boards as display stands. The store was modest, but it had heart—and more importantly, potential.
To stock the shelves, he began with silver jewellery, purchasing what he could and borrowing stock from supportive suppliers. Every penny was stretched, but it worked. Slowly but surely, the business gained traction, built on dedication, honesty, and personal service.
It was also during those early years that our in-house workshop was established—something that would set us apart. We welcomed Mark, our Goldsmith, who is still with us today. With most bespoke jewellery traditionally coming from places like Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter or London’s Hatton Garden, it was rare to find a local jeweller offering handcrafted, custom pieces. We became one of the few.
As the business flourished, the small store in Sanderson Arcade began to feel like the beginning of something much bigger. Then, in 2007, change was on the horizon again: a major redevelopment of the Arcade was approved, led by Dransfield Properties. The old building would be demolished and replaced with a brand new, modern shopping destination—raising questions about the future of our beloved little store.
The opportunity to be part of the new Arcade came at a significant cost. Overheads would increase tenfold, and the fit-out alone was quoted at nearly £110,000—a daunting prospect. But in true entrepreneurial spirit, Dad decided to take the leap. We became the very first store to open in the new development, proudly occupying a prime position at the entrance. It marked a defining moment in our journey, elevating The Jewellers Guild to a new level of professionalism and prestige.
Over the past two decades, the business has continued to evolve. From our early focus on silver jewellery and basic repairs, we’ve grown into specialists in jewellery restoration, bespoke design, and sourcing pre-owned timepieces and jewellery. Our in-house workshops in both stores are at the heart of what we do—offering quality craftsmanship with a personal touch.
Like any business with longevity, our team has grown and changed, but we’re proud to say many of our staff have been with us for years, sharing in our values and vision. Today, as a second-generation business, we’re looking to the future with excitement and ambition—building on the strong foundations our father laid, and expanding the business in ways he once only imagined.
We can’t wait to see what the next 20 years bring. With a bit of luck (and lots of passion), perhaps we’ll see the third generation joining the business too.
