Celebrating 35 Sensationally Sparkling Years of Petra Jewellery

July 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Founder, Petra Moore and her daughter and owner of the business, Mitch Lloyd hosted a German-themed party at the shop in Viables Craft Centre on Saturday to spread the sparkle and share the love with their loyal customers.

Petra Moore, now 68 was born and bred in Germany where she excelled at her Goldsmiths apprenticeship in the 1960s. Despite having very little money or resources, Petra graduated from her course as top of the class, setting the standard upon which her future success would be built. Shortly after, she was swept off her feet by a dashing young British Army Officer whilst skiing in the Alps and subsequently settled in the UK with her husband and young daughter.

In 1979, when Mitch was 4, Petra opened the shop at Viables, a local craft centre and she was welcomed by a friendly and thriving community. As a young family, money was tight and Petra had no cash to buy stock but began to make a name for herself carrying out repairs and alterations for customers. Even in those very early days, Petra’s sheer determination to build a successful jewellery business was apparent. The Southern Evening Echo captured her plans in her opening year when she stated, “I hope to make a big business of it!”

There can be no doubt that a successful business is precisely what Petra went on to create. From a tiny unit with no funding or materials, Petra, and later her daughter Mitch have expanded, employed a number of staff and developed a family business to be proud of. In fact, the entire country is behind the pair, as early in 2014 Petra Jewellery was named as Britain’s Most Loved Jewellers.

This latest award, coupled with the 35^th anniversary of the shop’s launch was a fantastic opportunity to throw a huge party in order to say thank you for three and a half decades of devoted customers and supporters.

Petra comments,  "We're so proud of what we've achieved but we couldn't do it without the support of our lovely customers.“

Dressed in their dirndls, Petra, Mitch and their lederhosen-clad team treated guests to Weiss Bier & freshly baked pretzels to a backdrop of lively Oktoberfest music and a touch of reflective German nostalgia. And no party is complete without a few surprises as 150 golden tickets were given out to customers, entitling them to a range of exclusive discounts.

Cassey Barton, one of Petra Jewellery's dedicated customers comments, "35 years! Such an achievement! The first time I came here I was only a baby and have been coming here ever since." Mitch adds, "We feel we know the whole Barton family and they, like us, are onto their third generation now so long may our fabulous relationship continue!"

Mitch has exciting plans for the next 35 years, introducing the expansion of their contemporary offering online, new 3D design software, a VIP service and My Gold Memories (http://mygoldmemories.com/), a nationwide service for sending in old gold to be redesigned into something modern and beautiful.

Note to editors:

About Petra Jewellery

Petra Jewellery is an independent family jewellers based at Viables Craft Centre in Basingstoke. In February 2007, Mitch Lloyd took over the running of the business from her mother, Petra who continues to maintain regular involvement. Petra Jewellery boasts 35 years experience in all aspects of jewellery making, ranging from simple Jewellery repairs to high-end bespoke commission work. As well as offering customers a comprehensive range of jewellery services, they also sell their own designs and have collections from other inspiring designers. Petra has recently introduced My Gold Memories, a nationwide service for sending in old gold to be made into something new. For more information email info@petrajewellery.com or call 01256 355945.