The success of Market Cross Jewellers over the past 35 years has landed the business with a prestigious award in its home town of Middlesbrough.
The owners, management and staff of Market Cross Jewellers were all present at a ceremony last week hosted by Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, who hailed the contribution the company has made to the town centre and to the economy of the wider region.
The first Market Cross store was opened by partners Roy Welsh and Fiona Turner in Guisborough in 1980.
It has grown steadily over the past 35 years to 18 shops employing 103 staff, and is considered the pre-eminent retailer for brands including Cartier, Breitling, Omega and Gucci in the region.
“It took us many years of applications, meetings and hard work to be granted agencies by the major Swiss watch houses, but the business has gone on to be a great success,” said company manager Dawn Welsh.
The company’s most significant recent achievement was the opening of a £400,000 luxury watch room in Middlesbrough town centre that houses concessions for Cartier, Breitling and Omega.
“We are really proud of what we’ve achieved in Middlesbrough – I recently heard someone in the store say ‘this shop’s too good for Middlesbrough’, but it’s not, nothing is too good for Middlesbrough and the people who live here,” Welsh described.
“We have thousands of customers and we have many who have grown to become friends, many of whom are attending the ceremony – we have been quite taken aback by the positive feedback that we have received,” she added.
Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon said: “Roy, Fiona and Dawn have worked hard to attract prestige brands to their business, and their hard work and dedication have played an important role in helping Middlesbrough to survive and grow as a vibrant and diverse shopping destination.
“However, I know that they would acknowledge the significant contribution by all of the staff who have worked so hard over many years to ensure the company has grown as it has.
“Market Cross sells high quality products, has high quality premises and has the very highest quality of staff and management. They are all a credit to their profession.”
