Market Cross jewellers lands business award

A north-east jewellery chain has been awarded a ‘special recognition’ from Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon. 

The owners and staff of Market Cross Jewellers were presented with the ‘Borough Award’ at a ceremony in the Town Hall on April 16, which celebrated the “contribution of the jewellers to the town centre, and to the economy of the wider region.”

Founded by partners Roy Welsh and Fiona Turner, the chain’s first store opened in 1980 in Bakehouse Square in Guisborough – taking its name from the town’s nearby market cross.

Latest upgrades to its Middlesbrough town centre store include the creation of a £400,000 luxury watch room that houses shop-in-shops with Cartier, Breitling and Omega.

Manager Dawn Welsh said: “Over the years we have learned to move with the times and the business is constantly evolving.

“There is a great team mentality and a feeling of family which I think the customers really appreciate, and that spirit was also reflected in the staff’s fantastic response to the recent robberies.”

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.”

The chain, which was the victim of two recent robberies, one at its Yarm store in November, and a second in January at its Linthorpe Road store in Middlesbrough, encompasses 18 shops and employs some 103 staff.