MONTH IN REVIEW
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk
TRADE SHOWS
Jewellery
& Watch
admits to host
‘consolidated’
2019 show
The Jewellery & Watch exhibition has
announced a ‘consolidated 2019 show’,
as its new owner, ITE Group, develops
a plan to boost the show in 2020.
Having purchased the exhibition
and its sister show, Spring Fair,
in May 2018, the exhibitions and
conferences organising firm has
outlined plans to grow both shows
with significant investment and a
refreshed focus on content.
Changes to the 2019 show include
a new seminar theatre, known as
The Studio, and ITE said this will
be supported by technical and
educational sessions.
Event manager Kirsty Broere said:
“We are excited to see where the
investment, energy and positivity of
ITE Group takes Jewellery & Watch
in 2019 and beyond. “[The show] can
be considered a transitional show,
but we look forward to showcasing
hints of what’s to come, including a
new seminar schedule and a closer
relationship with Spring Fair exhibitors
and visiting buyers.
“It is no secret that the global trade
show market is facing challenges,
especially in terms of market
participation.”
She added: “Jewellery & Watch is
all about starting the New Year on the
right foot and offering the UK trade the
chance to see what’s fresh. Whether
you choose to catch-up on the post-
Christmas sentiment, meet existing
clients or find something new, Jewellery
& Watch is all about starting the year
positively and with purpose.”
10 JEWELLERY FOCUS
JEWELLERY STORES
Historic Chester
jewellery store
saved from
closure
Lowe & Sons, located in Chester, has
been saved from closure after its lease
was bought by Powells Fine Jewellery,
and reopened on 16 November 2018.
The independent and historic
jewellery store has been trading in the
region since 1770 and has occupied its
existing premises in Bridge Street Row
since 1804.
Leonard Prescott, store manager at
Powells, told Jewellery Focus the group
“was saddened to learn of its departure
from the Chester Rows”, and added that
it has been “a pillar of the jewellery and
silverware industry for almost 250 years
which drew many clients from across
the world to the city”.
He added: “As a family of jewellers
ourselves, we didn’t want to see the
beautiful Victorian showroom be lost to
the both the industry and the public in
general. With this in mind we immediately
set about looking at taking the lease once
the existing company closed.”
Prescott said the group was able
to recruit several members of the
original team, including Kevin Parry,
the manager who had worked at the
store since the age of 16. He managed
the store for many years before it’s
closure, and is considered “something
of a local celebrity in the antique and
silverware scene”.
Prescott said: “Working tirelessly since
March of this year we have been striving
to save this unique piece of Chester’s
history and bring it back to the high
standards and traditions that made Lowe’s
a destination for so many customers over
its long and illustrious lifetime.
“With his help and input we have
been searching far and wide to bring
together a selection of fine jewellery
and silverware for the showroom. It is
with genuine delight that we are able
to announce that Lowe & Son’s will be
reopening it’s doors in early November
and keeping its place on Bridge Street
Row in the Historic city of Chester.”
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HALLMARKING
Strong double-
digit growth
for gold and
platinum
in October
hallmarking
Hallmarking increased by an average
of 1.6% in October 2018 compared with
the same period the previous year,
according to figures compiled by the
Birmingham Assay Office.
This was supported by double-digit
growth in gold, increasing by 60,849
to 509,390 hallmarked pieces, and
platinum, rising by 4,593 to 28,652
items hallmarked.
However, the number of silver and
palladium pieces hallmarked decreased
by 8.3% and 5% respectively.
Overall the volumes increased by
17,020 to 1,071,799 in October 2018 from
1,054,779 in October 2017.
TOP 3
FROM THE WEBSITE
1. B
irmingham
gold bangle
scam trio jailed
2. Sotheby’s sells
‘most expensive
watch’ at
auction in 2018
3. Holts Gems
reveals joint
venture with
Hearts of
London Group
December 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk