Relocation fuels growth for Worcester jeweller
AN award-winning Midlands jeweller, who designed work for the late Baroness Thatcher, is enjoying growth after relocating to new premises following a six-figure funding investment.
Anja Potze, who creates bespoke pieces for a wide spectrum of customers, ploughed £224,000 into the purchase of her premises in Worcester’s Friar Street.
After 17 years in the city, she said she believed the move had helped take her business to the next level – despite the turbulent times being experienced by retailers.
She that over the past year she had attracted many new customers to her shop, many drawn by her national reputation for designing and retailing bespoke jewellery.
Ms Potze, 43, who moved from her native Netherlands to England when she was 21 after becoming fully qualified in Amsterdam, has been designing jewellery since she was nine and counts a number of well-known faces as clients.
During her career she designed pieces for the late Baroness Thatcher and spent five years with London-based Asprey & Garrard Group, which holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales.
She said: “It has been well documented that thousands of retailers have found the past few years tough, particularly those selling luxury items such as jewellery. But we managed to maintain our loyal customer base.
“However, with one eye on the future, last year I decided to focus my efforts on preparing the business for the years ahead by ensuring I was ready to grasp the opportunities the economic recovery has started to bring.
“Investing substantially in our new premises, concentrating on our bespoke ranges and launching fresh designs formed a major part of that plan. It’s an investment I believe is paying off as over the past 12 months it has provided a platform to lift the business to a whole new level.”
The investment into the new Worcester shop coincided with her being named the 2012 UK Innovative Retailer of the Year by Italian jewellery brand Fope.
“As with every major business investment there were risks involved. But we are situated in a fabulous shopping street in the city where it’s clear we, alongside other independent retailers, are bucking the trend of declining town centres,” she added.
