FEATURE
FEATURE
LOWE AND SONS FEATURE
A grand return
Lowe & Sons, Chester’s oldest jewellers, almost closed its doors for good earlier this year after the
lease on the store it occupied ran out. However, in a remarkable turn of events the 248-year old
business was saved by its local competitor Powell’s Fine Jewellery, who bought the business, the name
and even rehired original staff members. Now officially back in business, ALESSANDRO CARRARA
spoke with both jewellers to hear the story behind the iconic store’s grand return
“It’s part of the local heritage, and when we closed
down I was getting phone calls from Australia,
America and France, from clients whose families have
been dealing with us for over 100 years,” says Kevin
Parry, the newly reinstated part-time manager of the
recently reopened Lowe & Sons jewellery store in
Chester. “When they originally heard the store was
going to close they couldn’t believe it.”
The store, which is known for trading its unique
Chester silverware and antique jewellery, came to
the end of its lease in March of this year, after the
previous owner, Waltons of Chester, said an increase
in business costs meant it was the “right time for
them to close the store”. Managing director Richard
Hogben said at the time: “Ultimately, as the lease has
reached its end, it is the right decision for us to cease
trading at this time”. He added that it was a “difficult
decision to close for good”.
It was originally founded in 1707, but in 1804 the
local council wanted to knock down the shops there
‘‘
The store,
which is known
for trading its
unique Chester
silverware and
antique jewellery,
came to the end of
its lease in March
of this year
‘‘
L to R: Greg and Will Powell
December 2018 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk
JEWELLERY FOCUS
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