One of North-east’s leading independent family businesses is to invest a seven-figure sum expanding its presence Aberdeen city centre.
Finnies the Jeweller has doubled the size of its flagship George Street showroom after acquiring neighbouring premises.
And further development is to follow as the firm enters its seventh decade of trading from the same location.
The investment comes amid new hope around the future of Aberdeen city centre, with the Bon Accord Centre under new ownership, the former John Lewis building under offer and a huge community-led effort to regenerate Union Street underway.
Finnies was founded in Aberdeen in 1957 Ron and Peggy Finnie, and from humble beginnings as a watch repair business on St Nicholas Street, the family grew the business into one of the city’s best-loved brands.
Finnies is now owned by second generation, Sarah Dawson and her brother Matthew Finnie, who run the store alongside four other members of the family spanning three generations - Stewart Dawson, Declan Dawson, Dominique Dawson & Dominique’s husband, William Blake.
Matthew and Sarah said investing in George street was now “second nature” to the family.
“Within Finnies the ground floor has nearly doubled in size, with a beautiful new extension sitting alongside the existing showroom,” they said.
“The enlarged space successfully blends past and present, providing a bold statement of intent and the demonstrating confidence and commitment to both George Street and the wider Aberdeen area.”
The store is renowned for its expertly-curated jewellery collections, which are a combination of Finnies’ own designs alongside an edit of highly-desirable branded jewellery, across a broad spectrum of price points.
It also showcases some of the world’s finest watch brands, including many limited-edition timepieces.
Matthew and Sarah said balancing the shop’s rich heritage with its future ambition was a challenge, but that the family are proud of their expanded city footprint.
They added: “For any retail business, well into its seventh decade of trading from the same location, the prospect of development can often bring equal parts excitement and trepidation.
“Balancing the need to evolve whilst retaining the identity that has brought you to this point is crucial, and when the business in question is also family-owned, with multiple generations working side-by-side, the challenge of delivering something that everyone can be equally proud of should not be underestimated.
“However, we are delighted with the results and look forward to welcoming customers, old and new, through in the months and years ahead.”