I was born and grew up in Luton, in a time when Vauxhall Motors was the largest employer in the town, totally undecided where my future lay, I was introduced to a local manufacturing jeweller by a friend who had a large  Jewellery shop in The Arndale Centre, it was February and I still had my exams to look forward to, interview done and a week later I was offered a 5 year apprenticeship.

After my apprenticeship I decided to set up on my own and I opened a little workshop in Leagrave, thanks to a friend’s dad who rented me a small workshop above his carpet shop, I remember hauling the safe up four flights of stairs, not a pleasant experience! Although quite busy, I didn’t have a full weeks work and entertained myself test driving sports cars on my quiet days off, much to the horror of my mother! 

My dad took me in hand and together we found a small little shop in Alma Street, a short walk from the town centre in Luton, and so in November 1984 with savings of £6,000 and a small loan from the bank I opened my first shop with a workshop in the rear.

Nine years on and I wanted to expand and get a second shop, so I was delighted when an antique dealer mentioned a shop for sale in a little sleepy village called Radlett, the jewellery shop by the name of Lindsay’s was quite run down and in need of a good facelift, negotiations done and refurbishment complete, I opened my second shop in November-1995.

I decided to move out of Luton and look for another shop on a busier high street, friends in Loughton suggested Loughton high street it was known as the “Golden Mile” celebrities and footballers were a common daily site, low an behold there was an empty shop available that used to be a jeweller’s, I opened just in time for Christmas in 2000.

So, after a short break (14 years to be precise) whilst on holiday it suddenly dawned on me  how much I missed designing and creating beautiful jewellery, within a week of being back home I found myself sitting at a bench, flame in hand ready to start my next creative journey,  2 years on and Laurence Ian Jewellers finds itself back on Radlett high street once again, albeit in slightly smaller premises.