Our Heritage

Lumbers is incredibly proud to be part of Leicester’s heritage. Established in 1881, we have been at the heart of Leicester’s success for over 135 years. Our team offer unparalleled service and knowledge, to create a luxury experience that will make you feel welcome and relaxed.

Since joining Lumbers at the age of 21, I have always sought to grow the business. What I didn’t realise that I would become the business. It is a huge part of me, clients have become lifelong friends, and my long standing team have become family. Businesses grow when everyone grows together, and Lumbers is the epitome of being together.

Dominic Gomersall

Lumbers is proud to be part of Leicester’s exceptional history and heritage. Established in 1881, Lumbers has been at the heart of Leicester’s success for almost 140 years. The founder, John Lumbers, opened the first store on Loseby Lane, until 1910, when his son, also John, moved the shop to Granby Street. The business was bought by Horace Gomersall in 1918. In 1962, his son, Tony Gomersall, took charge, and moved premises again to 31 Market Street in 1970.

In 2000, Tony’s son, Dominic, current Managing Director of Lumbers, relocated to the glamorous Leah Marks House, 10-12 Market Street. In 2015, he became the first owner to move the business twice, when he renovated the historical Dominoes toy store to become our current luxury emporium at 62-66 High Street, next to the Highcross Shopping Centre. The next custodian of Lumbers, Freddie Gomersall, is waiting in the wings and he will be the sixth generation to be part of Lumbers, as he is related to the original Lumbers family by marriage. We are a truly family business, and Leicester’s longest serving family jewellers.

This long history in Leicester of each generation relocating the business has virtually gone full circle, with the original shop premises now being just around the corner from our current location. As a business we have grown with the locality, and each move reflected the ever changing focus of the shopping heart of Leicester. In the 1970’s, Market Street was the Bond Street of the Midlands, but its catastrophic decline has seen the shift of luxury retail to the High Street adjacent to the Highcross Shopping Centre – the new true beating heart of this diverse city.

Granby Street 1910-1970

"I was still in short trousers on the final day that Lumbers was on Granby Street. It was a typical moving day, with all hands on deck, including my young self. I was given the job of helping clean and sort the workshop. Unfortunately, nobody bothered to tell me that the Nescafe jar of dirt that was left on the goldsmiths workbench, that I obviously thought should be in the bin, was actually a jar full of gold dust waiting to go for refining. Probably worth well over a month’s wages. I didn’t cover myself in glory that day!"

31 Market Street 1970-2000

"Until 2020, I was proud that Lumbers never closed its doors. Not during WW1 or WW2. We have always traded. One Spring day at 31 Market Street, a smell of burning electrics emanated from the basement, a quick evacuation, and dialling 999, meant a temporary suspension of trade, for half an hour. My father and I got a counter out on to the street, while the fire brigade did their job. Once the fire under control, the firemen stood by the counter as security and attracting extra attention. It was a good day’s trading!"

10-12 Market Street 2000-2015

"We have always sort to be memorable. And when Lesley Garrett, the world famous opera singer, joined us to celebrate the opening of our Diamond Room, it was a most fabulous day. The sound of Jerusalem reverberating around the store was utterly amazing and, as it was my dad’s favourite hymn, it was an emotional and tearful moment."

62-66 High Street since 2015

"I am the only custodian of Lumbers who has been mad enough to move the business twice. It was a ‘no-brainer’ to move to the stunning and huge property on High Street, but the stress levels in the late summer of 2015 were high. We moved in on 28^th September, electricians were still up ladders, we didn’t have a front door, the staff were trying to clean and display and serve curious clients. It was disorganised chaos, but we worked as a team, and 5 years later, it was the best move ever."

During this time, Lumbers has supported all the major sporting clubs of the city with long term sponsorships of Leicester City Football Club, Leicester Tigers, Leicester County Cricket Club, Leicester Race Course and the Leicester Riders. We feel that being part of the community is incredibly important. Our heart and soul belong to Leicester, during all the ups and the downs.

Lumbers longevity and success is created by our exceptional and experienced team who offer unparalleled service and knowledge, to create a luxury experience that will make you feel welcome and relaxed. Our team include 2 Nationally Registered Valuers, 3 Fellowship of the Gemological Society graduates, and multiple National Association of Jewellers qualifications.

Enter into our world of incredible timepieces and jewellery, where your every need is taken care of by our wonderful team. Sit in our new luxurious diamond room, showcasing the finest diamonds, and one of the largest collections of diamond engagement rings. Enjoy a hot drink or maybe even some bubbles from our Champagne Bar. You could relax in our Breguet, Chopard or Omega boutique areas while browsing the finest Swiss watches. We also have a stunning range of lifestyle accessories and gifts. From Montblanc pens to Lalique to Chopard leatherwear.

Our showroom is exceptionally glamourous and spacious, but It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a replacement battery or a diamond ring, you will be greeted by smiling faces and treated as part of the Lumbers family. We want to give the best service possible to the entirety of Leicestershire and beyond. We hope that you are able visit us soon and experience our outstanding level of customer service.

We are very proud to have been nominated for, and won, many National and local awards over the years. The honour of winning the National UK Retailer of the Year Award on 3 separate occasions along with the UK Workshop of the Year award in 2018 is unrivalled within our industry.

Take a look at our awards

Inspiring Independents, Midlands Jeweller of the Year, 2019
Mar 2019 UK Retail Jeweller Awards

UK Jewellery Workshop of the Year, 2018
Nov 2018 National Association of Jewellers

UK Independent Jewellery Retailer of the Year, 2018
Jul 2018 UK Retail Jeweller Awards

Inspiring Independents, Business Owner of the Year, 2017
Nov 2017 UK Retail Jeweller Awards

Inspiring Independents, Midlands Jeweller of the Year, 2017
Nov 2017 UK Retail Jeweller Awards

UK Jewellery Retail Business of the Year, 2016
Nov 2016 National Association of Jewellers

Leicestershire Retailer of the Year, 2016
Aug 2016 Niche Business Awards.

Leicestershire Entrepreneur of the Year, 2015
Mar 2015 Leicester Mercury Business Awards

Leicestershire Retail Business of the Year, 2015
Mar 2015 Leicester Mercury Business Awards

Leicestershire Business of the Year, Sales and Marketing, 2007
Jul 2007 Leicester Mercury Business Awards.

UK Independent Jewellery Retailer of the Year, 2003
May 2003 UK Retail Jeweller Awards

I joined the business aged 21, fresh from university and ready to learn and build the business. Working alongside my father, I grew a love for the jewellery and watch industry and adapted the business to meet the modern demands that I foresaw. Fortunately, the business has improved and grown over the years and many of loyal team have been alongside me for 2 decades! The team are like family and clients have become lifelong friends that return year in and year out.

Dominic Gomersall

Talk to one of our experts

Appointment

Monday - Saturday
9.30am - 5.30pm

Phone

(+44) 116 255 1233

[email protected]