Member Article

North East international success story opens flagship jewellery boutique at Central Arcade

Newcastle-based jewellery business Bcharmd has opened a new flagship store in the heart of Newcastle city centre.

The jewellery brand, which has grown from a stall at Tynemouth market, has taken a unit at the city’s historic Edwardian shopping centre, Central Arcade, after making the move from its current premises on Shakespeare Street.

Stephanie commented: “We reached the point where we were so tight on space in Shakespeare Street, it made sense to move the boutique elsewhere. I couldn’t think of a better place for us than Central Arcade. We aren’t really suited to being on a high street or in a traditional shopping centre, so this is ideal for us.”

The former Shakespeare Street property will now be retained as the brand’s headquarters and design studio housing its nine-strong workforce.

Founded in 2009 by fashion designer Stephanie Milburn, the brand has grown from humble beginnings to become a global concern with its range of jewellery set with semi-precious stones, and is now stocked in over 500 department stores and boutiques around the world.

Its recently revamped website has also attracted customers from far flung destinations like Australia and Canada, and the brand boasts what Stephanie dubs a ‘very loyal’ following locally and internationally.

Talking about the brand’s growth, Stephanie added: “We have grown so much since the days when I would be out in all weathers at Tynemouth Market, making every piece of jewellery myself, working every minute that I had to make a success of the business I gave up my job for – in the last few years, it’s taken on a life of its own.”

Bcharmd’s move to new premises was supported by Newcastle law firm Sintons, who handled all the commercial property work in the deal.

Cheryl Ball, solicitor at the law firm’s Real Estate team, said: “From starting out as a spare-time hobby for Stephanie, her hard work and determination to succeed has seen Bcharmd become one of the leading fashion jewellery brands in the UK.

“Bcharmd is a true North East success story and we hope their new flagship store in Central Arcade helps them to continue on their path of strong growth.”

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