A JEWELLERY store which offers a personal touch has celebrated four decades in business with a big thank you to its loyal customers.

Petra Jewellery was set up in 1979 by German-born Petra Moore, in the Viables Craft Centre. 40 years later, the family business has grown into one of Basingstoke’s shining diamonds.

The business started out in one converted stable buildings at Viables before moving into the Cottage back in 2015.

Now, the business is run Petra and her daughter Mitch Lloyd – who was four-years-old when the original store opened- and has grown from strength-to-strength.

When asked what the pair believe to be the key to their success Petra joked: “My German accent.”

Mitch became involved in the business after leaving the army and wanting to start her own family and was asked by Petra if she wanted to join the family business.

Mitch added: “When I came in I knew I had to modernise the model that we had, so that meant setting up a website and email and event being able to accept card, which is something that we couldn’t do when I first joined.”

Petra adds laughing: “I used to have to tell people there was a cash machine at the petrol station down the road.”

Over the 40 years the store has gained a loyal customer base, with generations of the same families coming to the store to get their engagement rings or having things repaired. And with the store having an onsite goldsmith they can create bespoke jewellery to fit every customer’s needs.

Mitch added: “When it comes to our customers, we want them to enjoy the excitement of picking out wedding rings.

“We aren’t like many high street stores where if you ask where the engagement rings are, you’ll be pointed to a counter.

“With us we crack out the bubbly, talk through exactly what they want and give them a whole experience.”

Mitch continued: “There are families who mum helped more than 30 years ago, who still come in to say hello and their families have come here as well.”

To mark 40 years in business Petra and Mitch welcomed in customers and friends to enjoy some drinks and food, to say thank you for their support throughout the years.

For Mitch and Petra the store isn’t just about the business it is about the community and as well as running the store they host and organise a range of different charity events to give back to the community.