UK Enterprise 2020

120 | UK Enterprise Awards 2020 Jun20429 Diamond & Fine Jewellery Specialists of the Year 2020 – London: Platform Jewellers Nestled in the heart of London’s Jewellery Quarter, Platform Jewellers is an independent, family-run jewellers offering excellence in both customer service and fine jewellery. Whether a customer is looking for the perfect ring to pop the question with, or to give new life to a well-worn piece of jewellery, Platform is able to provide quick service to an exceptional standard. Located in Hatton Garden, London, Platform Jewellers are a family run establishment specialising in engagement rings, diamond rings, diamond and gem set jewellery, as well as offering bespoke design services and repairs, remodelling and cleaning of old jewellery. Their clientele includes nervous chaps searching for the perfect ring with which to get down on one knee, couples hunting for the ring to say ‘I do’ with and customers at different stages in life looking to commemorate significant events or revive precious but aged pieces. Jewellers often take themselves very seriously, creating a pretentious environment that can be intimidating to customers. At Platform, the team takes a relaxed and friendly approach, regardless of whether the customer is purchasing a piece worth thirty pounds or three thousand pounds. The amiable environment is, however, to no detriment of the five-star customer service guaranteed to each client. Offering great deals and quality jewellery, Platform ensures every single customer has a truly pleasant purchasing experience. Staff are put through intensive training to ensure they are able to offer the perfect balance of professional and personal customer service. The priority is always the attention to detail, honesty and extensive knowledge of all options available to the customer. Danny and Alfie, the leaders of the Platform team, ensure their staff are put through rigorous training, which can be challenging when the team is made up of mothers and older sisters! However, the sense of family within the firm extends beyond the staff and includes forming relationships with clients to establish exactly what they are looking for from Platform. Every member of the team is very happy to engage in discussions with customers so as to provide the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Being based in the jewellery quarter of London also enables Platform to provide high quality service quickly. With mounters, suppliers, bullion dealers and diamond setters all around them, Platform is able to complete purchases in 24 hours, whilst rural competitors have to wait much longer. This means customers are able to walk away with their dream ring in the same day, only adding to the excitement of the purchasing experience. Recent trends have shown an increased interest in oval-shaped diamonds over the ‘halo’ design which has been popular since the Victorian era, but recently begun to decline in popularity. The traditional round brilliant cut diamond still remains popular, and Danny and Alfie consider it their personal favourite. They also specialise in working with blue sapphires and have seen a surge in interest in the market for sapphires. Similar to many non-essential shops across the UK, lockdown has proved problematic for this independent jeweller. The majority of business is generated by walk-ins usually, so with the shop closed throughout lockdown and London quieter than usual as people remain at home, business has been slower for Platform. However, thanks to a lot of referrals and support from existing companies, the shop has been able to pull through. Since reopening, the shop has made adjustments to ensure business can continue as safely as possible. This includes providing face coverings for all staff, cleaning all surfaces and rings frequently and encouraging staff and customers to sanitise hands. Currently, their bespoke service is fully operational and available remotely from the comfort of your own home, so as to reduce risk. The next step for Platform is to promote their online presence, essential for keeping up in this increasingly digital COVID landscape. The biggest challenge that comes with this is translating their family values and the personal experience of buying such an important product online, but the firm is currently working hard to achieve this. This will permit the continued growth and success of this small but enterprising business. Company: Platform Jewellers Web address: www.platformjewellers.com