The owners of independent, family-run jewellers Townhall Treasures, in the heart of Penrith, are looking for a new business to move into their town centre premises.
After 33 years of providing quality diamond and silver jewellery and being stockists of top brands including Nomination, Trollbeads, Vivienne Westwood and Thomas Sabo, owners Vanessa and Bert Aked are retiring.
Vanessa said: “We are announcing our plans to retire, and we would love another jewellery business or something a little different and special to move into the premises.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing the shop empty and we really hope that won’t happen. In the meantime we will continue with the business as it is — bringing in new stock and continuing to provide the best customer service possible.”
Vanessa and Bert have never taken the conventional approach to business.
Vanessa said: “We moved up to Penrith from Leeds in the 80s to give ourselves and our daughters a better quality of life, and that is exactly what we have and continue to enjoy.
“We started with a jewellery repair service, with the workshop over a hat shop on King Street. When the Rural Enterprise Agency offered business advice in the early 1990s, the advice we were given was not to open a jewellery shop in Penrith, as the town centre was in a dire situation.
“However, we decided to ‘have a go anyway’ and after a couple of years we bought a shop next to Penrith Town Hall —hence the name Townhall Treasures.
“We couldn’t raise a business loan, so we sold our own home, and bought a smaller house and the shop.
“It was a taxi firm for the funeral directors Walkers, and Mr Walker was so kind, waiting for us to sell the house to buy the shop. Here we expanded into selling antique jewellery as well as providing a repair service.”
Townhall Treasures has gone from strength to strength, moving into 39 Middlegate near the cinema to expanding into selling contemporary jewellery and seven years ago moving to the corner premises at 33 Middlegate.
Vanessa added: “When we first came to look around number 33 we were blown away by the space, having three floors and such a prominent position in the town.
“We could see the potential it offered us and we have loved having and growing our business here.
“We are aware that there are a lot of empty shops at the moment but we feel that is often down to expensive rents and rates rather than a lack of people with good business ideas and we feel our shop could fulfil someone’s dream, as it did ours.
“We have a great quality of life thanks to Penrith, and we have a commitment to the town and want to add to the place we call home. We would love the premises to go on to provide something special for the people of Penrith.
“We have no intention of leaving Cumbria, and our three daughters and now six grandchildren all enjoy living here.
“We still have that wonder and excitement about living here in such a beautiful part of the world.
“It will be a big change. Two of our daughters have worked with us. Luciana is looking forward to a new challenge, and Eleanor had a baby just before lockdown and has started her own online business Elle’s Illustrations, which fits around her new family life.
“Without Bert and I working here, it wouldn’t be the same family business, and we want the girls to follow their dreams and passions the same way we have with Townhall Treasurers.
“We would like to take this opportunity to give a huge thanks to our wonderful customers and friends who have supported us over the years and who have made working in Penrith such a special experience.”
