Wrexham jewellers celebrates milestone anniversary

At the heart of independent shop P.W. Hale Jewellers is a dedicated team, which still includes several family members.

Until the start of the year, the shop on Bank Street was headed up by Colin William Hale, who died aged 83, following a long battle with dementia.

But the love for Colin and the hard work he put into the business, remains at the core of everything.

Opened in 1932 by Percy Hale, the business was handed down to son Colin in 1961. The shop moved to its current location 54 years ago.

The team at P.W. Hale Jewellers: Front, Brenda Hale, with, from left, Sarah Jones, Rhys Cowan, Rachel Hale, Linda Elliot, Pat Calton and Amanda Calton.

Still involved in the day to day running of the shop are Colin's wife Brenda, daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Pat Calton, and daughter-in-law Rachel Hale.

Making up the rest of the eight-strong team of staff are Linda Elliott, Sarah Jones, Lynne Symonds and trainee Rhys Cowan.

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Rachel, 47, recalled visiting the shop as a little girl with her dad, seeing Colin with his eyeglass. Never thinking for a minute she would one day marry into the family, taking a role at the shop herself. She added that the shop "for Brenda and Amanda, it's their life".

A newly engaged couple in 1940, with the ring bought from P.W. Hale.

Like other businesses, P.W. Hale Jewellers went through some uncertain times during the covid pandemic but it wasn't enough to see them call time on things. Quite the opposite.

After Colin's death, rumours surfaced that the shop was closing, closed or under new management but the family remain at the helm and the business open.

Like many in the area, they have also felt a bit of the Hollywood magic that arrived with the new ownership of the city's football team.

P.W. Hale Jewellers have seen a rise in the demand for all things Wrexham and Wales.

Since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds bought the club, the jewellers has seen a roaring trade in items engraved with all things Wrexham or Wales related, especially tankards, as residents and visitors alike look for a memento.

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But they weren't the first brush with stardom for the jewellers. Engraver Pat, 65, considered one of the best in North Wales, created pieces that included a plaque that went to the top of Everest, another for TV show Top Gear and a plate that Sir Alex Ferguson presented to UEFA.

Phoebe Hale holding the ring her great grandfather sold 83 years ago.

Linda, 58, originally started at the shop aged 17, describes it 'like a family', adding: "I love the job, it can be stressful but it's a great place to work, with brilliant bosses."

It's a sentiment shared by Sarah, 50, whose 18-year-old son Rhys has also started at the shop, who said: "Colin put his faith into us, and that's why we stay."

Recently several people have shared personal and precious memories with P.W. Hale.

Joan and Ken Walley, and Joan's wedding ring, bought from P.W. Hale 70 years ago.

Stephanie Jane Williams showed them a now 70-year-old ring bought from the "legend of a shop". It was the wedding ring belonging to her nain. Joan and Ken Walley, from Penycae married in 1953.

Rachel shared another ring brought back to show staff at the shop. She said: "A lady brought this in for us to see. This was her mother's engagement ring bought from Hale’s in 1940 from Percy Hale, still in the original box and complete with lipstick marks from it being kissed.

"The photo of the couple was taken on the day they got engaged, you can see she’s showing off her new ring."

The shop remains incredibly popular and customer service is something the team pride themselves on, with Brenda, 82, adding: "Every day is different but we enjoy it. And we want to let people know we're staying."