Top UK jewellers Ernest Jones is to re-open its Quadrant Shopping Centre store after an extensive re-fit.
“It looks absolutely stunning,” said Chrys James, the manager who is taking up a new post as the store’s Watch Executive, ahead of Saturday’s re-opening.
Chrys, who has worked for Ernest Jones for 35 years, the last 20 as manager at the Quadrant store in Wassail Square, said; “This is the fifth re-fit since I have been here and this one has been really substantial.
“It enhances the customer experience and provides more luxurious surroundings in which to shop, refreshing the store very much with the customer in mind.
“We’re providing more consultation areas for our clients to make a considered purchase and benefit from the expertise of our well-trained team. We want our clients to feel completely comfortable when they come here.
“This is a very friendly store and we want our customers to enjoy the whole experience because this is one of the new-style stores with a larger range of products such as great collections, including Amanda Wakeley, The Leo Diamonds, Tolkowsky, and great luxury watch brands, like Tag Heuer, Breitling and Omega, to show customers.”
The store, which has been in the Quadrant ever since the centre opened in 1979, was closed for five weeks while it has been completely stripped out and re-fitted with new floors, ceilings, cabinets and displays.
Consultation areas, giving customers extra privacy and re-assurance, are aimed specifically at the diamond and prestige watch sectors while the new floorplan will mean that a greater range of stock will be on display.
“It really has the wow factor,” said Chrys, of Godre’r Graig, Swansea: “As a company we put a strong emphasis on in-house training and the majority of staff are JET (jewellery educational training) qualified.
“The store has always been a warm and welcoming place but this refit will bring a new ambience and an even better environment and I’m sure customers will appreciate the improvement which is aimed at helping them enjoy the whole shopping experience even more.”
A watchmaker will remain on site – a common feature at most of the Ernest Jones stores – with experts specifically trained to handle prestige brands like Breitling, and Omega. Expert jewellery valuations can also be undertaken several times a year.
Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: “It was good to see the Ernest Jones store back in action and looking even better than ever this weekend.
“They are very much an integral part of the Quadrant and its retail offer and for them to undertake this extensive refit is a real expression of confidence in the Quadrant and in the city itself.”
Between Chrys and his 10 staff, they have an incredible 120 years plus experience working for Ernest Jones. “It’s just like a family environment. The company consistently gets into the Sunday Times top ten list of the best companies to work for in the UK. I think that says a lot about Ernest Jones as a company and as an employer,” he said.
Indeed for Chrys working for Ernest Jones, which has more than 180 stores UK-wide, is very much a family affair. Daughter Angharad works for the company at Neath while daughter Rhiannon is a supervisor at the Ernest Jones store in Bath.
Both girls are getting married this year, at the end of May and beginning of December, and of course both have bought their engagement and wedding rings from…Ernest Jones.
