One of Preston’s most recognisable shops will be under new management from Monday (20 July) as its founder steps up plans for his retirement.
Peter Jackson has been trading as a jeweller for 44 years and opened in St George’s Shopping Centre in 1982. He announced in April that he plans to retire and spend more time with his family.
At that time, he stressed there was no strict timeline for his retirement and that if his stores, in Preston and Blackburn, were to continue as jewellers then he would need to find the right people.
Now it has been confirmed that independent family jewellers Watcho will be taking on his shops – with all existing staff given the opportunity to stay in their jobs.
Peter wrote: “I am delighted to announce that our beautiful shops in Preston and Blackburn will be under new ownership from Monday 20th July. WATCHO, an established and respected family jeweller will bring with them new ideas and collections and take the business forward to its next chapter. The Management and staff will remain and look forward to welcoming you as always.
“The look of the shops and the offer may change, but our dedication to quality, value and the very best of customer service will be just as you have always known.”
Watcho has stores in Milton Keynes and Richmond-upon-Thames making this their first expansion into the north. Like Peter Jackson, they have a focus on delivering a high level of customer care and in giving back to the community through charity work.
Ganesh Ramkumar, marketing executive at Watcho, says that there will be little change in the short-term.
He told Blog Preston: “The most important thing was to take away the anxiety about Peter retiring. All staff were told that we want to keep them on. Whoever wants to stay will still have a home in the stores.
“I think we’re going to start off by calling it Peter Jackson and Watcho, and Peter is going to stay to guide with us for the next couple of months.”
The first thing customers can expect to see change at St George’s Shopping Centre is the installation of new signage at its exterior.
Watcho describes itself as a family jeweller and is part of the Company of Master Jewellers and the National Association of Jewellers.
Ganesh said: “Pradip (Sarda, co-founder) had been in tech his entire working life. But he thought he wanted to pivot out of working for somebody else and have his own business.
“The first year of the business being online, they used to sit at their homes and pack the orders because it was literally a business that started in their garage.
“There’s videos of them from Christmas where the entire family is sitting at the dinner table with everyone helping to pack orders. In all ways and forms, it’s very much a family-run business.”
