New Milton business Charles Nobel was founded in 1972 by Keith and Jenny Bollard, who moved from the North of England to pursue their dream.

Jenny said: “My husband has always worked in jewellery, managing shops for various wholesalers, independents, and H. Samuel in its early stages. He always loved the emotive side of the industry, creating something which people can treasure for many years – and he recognised that personalisation was key to making a product truly special.

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“Keith’s devotion to the industry was contagious and before I knew it, I was fully immersed myself. I had also seen first-hand the value of bespoke retail experiences, having worked as a freelancer in various customer service roles in the past. With Keith’s years of experience and our combined interests, we decided to launch our own independent jewellery business within a bustling Hampshire market town. We wanted somewhere with a strong community, where we knew we could build a positive reputation and create customers for life.”

The original Charles Nobel store was located close to its current location in Station Road. 18 years after it opened, Jenny enlisted the help of her brother-in-law, a local architect, to help her and Keith secure a larger base to accommodate growing demand.

Jenny continued: “Word of mouth has been a powerful tool for us, with many of our customers recommending our services to their friends and family. One of our local clients moved to Knutsford in Cheshire and still travels to us when he wants a special piece of jewellery – most recently, a Rolex watch for his wife."

The jeweller has helped many people replace sentimental items, upcycle existing jewellery and create completely bespoke pieces.

Jenny continued: “Keith and I have loved every moment of the past 50 years and are looking forward to seeing the business continue to thrive under our son's direction.”

Director Piers Bollard,who has been working within the business since 2003, is now set to carry Charles Nobel forward.

He said: “Mass produced jewellery simply doesn’t have the same impact as something which has been carefully crafted with bespoke needs in mind. I never tire of seeing how much people appreciate our work on an emotional level. It is heart-warming to know that we have given so many people a product they will cherish for a lifetime.

"I’m proud of the business my parents have developed. I’m looking forward to building and growing the success of Charles Nobel while staying true to our values and continuing to provide bespoke services known and loved by our customers.”

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