Boodles marks 60 years in Chester

Jewellery retailer Boodles is marking the 60th anniversary of its Chester showroom.

The site first opened in 1965 as part of the Grosvenor Precinct development. At the time it was described as one of the “most prominent” jewellery showrooms outside London, featuring Italian marble, timber and glass in its open-plan design.

A year after opening, the company reported displaying stock worth more than £500,000, including gemstones, silver, gold and watches.

Strong demand led to expansion in 1967, when Boodles acquired a corner site on Eastgate Street, extending into the Grosvenor Hotel arcade. 

The frontage, which featured 15 marble and teak windows, was noted for showcasing both traditional and contemporary jewellery sourced from across Europe.

According to Boodles, the Chester showroom, next to the Grosvenor Hotel, remains a “key” location for the family-owned business, which has looked after generations of clients in the city over the past six decades.

Andrew Moore, manager of the Chester branch, said: “From the beginning, our Chester showroom has not just been a shop but a showcase of the Boodles philosophy: old established but not old-fashioned. Over the decades, it has become a place where Boodles’ distinctive jewellery designs are brought to life, where enduring friendships have been created, and where every visit feels special.”