MONTH IN REVIEW
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RETAIL
BRC calls to end business rates hike
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said action is needed to “protect
shops and jobs” as business rates for retailers are set to rise by £200m for
2019/20.
In a submission made to the Treasury Select Committee today (1 April), the
BRC has set out a framework to “fix the broken business tax system”, under the
principles of ‘Relief, Review and Reform’.
Since it started in 1990, business rates have risen 45%, from 38.4p to 50.4p in the
pound, meaning shops will now be paying over half of their rateable value again
in business rates before they have even made a penny in sales.
APPOINTMENTS
Hamilton & Inches appoints new CEO
Jewellers Hamilton and Inches has announced Victoria Houghton as its new CEO
from 1 April 2019.
Houghton will lead a “new era” for Hamilton and Inches, reigniting its rich heritage of
holding the Royal Warrant as silversmiths to Her Majesty the Queen for more than 120
years, whilst introducing a new contemporary style to the brand.
She will take over a period of new stewardship from Stephen Paterson formerly CEO
of the business who stepped down after 40 years of service.
The company said Houghton will bring the “business, creative buying and strategic
management expertise” she gained from her previous role of non-executive for
Hamilton and Inches since June 2018 to her new role.
CRIME
Jewellery worth £500,000 stolen in Pandora burglary
Sussex Police are investigating a break-in at Pandora jewellers in Swan Walk, Horsham, after £500,000 worth of jewellery
was stolen on 22 March.
According to the police, the alarm was raised just before 12.30am with a report that six masked men had broken into the rear
of the building, put a wide range of jewellery into bags that they had brought with them and then fled on to Albion Way towards
the nearby Y Centre.
Some jewellery had left been scattered around the shop, and items taken included charms, necklaces, bracelets, rings and
earrings. Police attended within five minutes of the alarm being raised, and searched the area, but no suspects or jewellery
were found.
POPUPS
Seekd opens pop-up store at Brent Cross
Sustainable jewellery and accessories brand, Seekd, has launched an exclusive
spring pop-up at Brent Cross shopping centre.
Following the success of its Christmas pop-up, Seekd the new shop will offer a
selection of unique products, all of which have been designed by emerging talent with
a focus on sustainability, use of eco-friendly materials.
Some of the designers featured in the pop-up include Vurchoo Jewellery, Smateria
and Lark and Berry, the first cultured diamond store in the world.
Seekd was founded in June 2018 by Fay Cannings who was inspired by the legacy of
her grandfather’s jewellery business.
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MAY 2019 | WWW.JEWELLERYFOCUS.CO.UK
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