Boodles Celebrates 60 Years in Chester
Boodles is celebrating 60 incredible years in the Chester showroom.
Boodles Celebrates 60 Years in Chester
When the Grosvenor Precinct first opened in the mid-1960s, Boodles was among its most exciting arrivals. In 1966, The Boodles Gem proudly reported that more than £500,000 of treasures – from magical gemstones to silver, gold and rare watches – were displayed to mark the opening of the new showroom. It was described as one of the finest jewellery showrooms outside London, with Italian marbles, rich timbers and glass imparting an air of luxury to the open-plan design.
Situated next to the iconic Chester Grosvenor Hotel on Eastgate Street, Boodles has been in Chester for over 50 years looking after generations of clients. Whether you are looking for the perfect engagement ring, unique pieces of jewellery or a one of a kind Patek Philippe watch, we would be delighted to invite you to be part of our Boodles Chester family.
Such was the popularity of the showroom that by 1967 we were already expanding. Boodles acquired a prestigious corner site on Eastgate Street, extending into what would become the Grosvenor Hotel arcade. With fifteen windows dressed in marble and teak, the new frontage ranked among the finest jewellery salons in Europe – a stage fit to display both timeless classics and daring new designs sourced from Paris, Florence and beyond.
From the beginning, our Chester showroom has not just been a shop but a showcase of the Boodles philosophy: old established but not old-fashioned. Over the decades, it has become a place where Boodles’ distinctive jewellery designs are brought to life, where enduring friendships have been created, and where every visit feels special.
Celebrating 60 years of Boodles in Chester
52 Eastgate Street,Chester CH1 1ES
The opening of Chester marked the start of a new chapter for Boodles. Under the stewardship of Captain Anthony Wainwright, the company broadened its view and increased in ambition. Nearly two decades later, his son Michael Wainwright joined the business, and together with his brother Nicholas Wainwright – one of Britain’s leading gemologists – transformed Boodles from a regional jeweller into the world renowned jewellery house it is today. Nicholas’ passion for diamonds and design, paired with Michael’s leadership and vision, saw Boodles expand beyond its heartland of Liverpool, Manchester, and Chester to establish showrooms in London and, later, across the UK.
Over the decades
Today, sixty years on, our Chester showroom remains a cornerstone of the Boodles story. Set within the historic Rows, it sits at the heart of a city renowned for its beauty and heritage. Chester’s Roman walls and medieval architecture provide a fitting backdrop for jewellery that is both timeless while remaining contemporary. The showroom remains closely connected to the life of the city – not least the nearby racecourse, where Boodles continues to play an active role each season sponsoring the Chester Races.
Events and Partnerships
Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse is officially recognised as the world’s oldest, operating racecourse by the Guinness World Records. The first race ever held at Chester Racecourse took place almost 5 centuries ago in 1539. Since then, Chester has become renowned in the industry for providing an unrivalled first-class service to all of its racegoers, but especially its hospitality clients. Boasting some of the best facilities in the industry as well as expert teams including multi-award-winning chefs, Chester Racecourse and Boodles both share a devout passion for quality.
As we look to the future, we celebrate not only the jewels and designs that have defined the past six decades, but also the people: our loyal customers, our talented craftspeople, and the generations of the Wainwright family who have guided Boodles with passion and vision. Here is to the next chapter in Chester – as brilliant as the diamonds that first lit up our windows in 1965.
