Six decades of trading on Beverley’s Saturday Market
Guest & Philips, a family jewellers with premises on Beverley’s Saturday Market, is marking 60 years in business this month. The shop, first opened by Mike and Anne Guest, has passed to the second generation and now regularly serves customers from families who first bought there decades ago.
The original outlet began under the name Michael Philips at 23 Saturday Market. Over time the firm expanded into the neighbouring units at 24 and 25, becoming a familiar presence in the town centre. The business has also developed a national customer base through its website, guestandphilips.co.uk, which saw stronger use during the Covid years.
Family succession and specialisms
Mike and Anne’s children, Philip and Karen, joined the business around 46 years ago and later took over its daily running. The name evolved to Guest & Philips to reflect the family continuity. Karen is a qualified diamond and gemstone specialist and heads the antiques and pre‑loved jewellery department, while Philip manages the modern jewellery and watch range.
“It’s a privilege to keep this family business thriving together with my brother Philip,”
The pair say they now regularly serve a third generation of clients, with customers returning for bespoke commissions, repairs and rare in‑house pieces. The shop’s offering includes ring sizing, restorations and custom design work carried out by on‑site craftspeople.
Enduring through changing times
Those running the business point to the many challenges they have faced across six decades. Among the difficulties listed are power cuts, economic downturns, national and international conflicts, an armed robbery and the recent Covid crisis — the latter prompting greater emphasis on the store’s online sales.
Philip commented on the pressures facing small retail firms: rising overheads and other exceptional costs have made longevity in the high street sector increasingly rare. Maintaining a business across generations, he said, requires adapting to new buying habits while preserving the specialist services that sustain local loyalty.
- Established: 60 years ago (mid‑1960s)
- Location: 23–25 Saturday Market, Beverley
- Specialities: diamonds, gemstones, antiques, modern jewellery and watches
- Online: guestandphilips.co.uk
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Mid‑1960s | Business established as Michael Philips at 23 Saturday Market |
| Circa 1980 | Philip and Karen joined the firm (around 46 years ago) |
| Recent years | Growth of online sales via guestandphilips.co.uk, especially during Covid |
The continuity of ownership has helped the business retain long‑standing customer relationships. Staff say many clients now bring younger relatives into the shop for special occasions, from engagement rings to family heirlooms passed down and refurbished on site.
What this means for Beverley
Local independent retailers contribute to Beverley’s town‑centre character and footfall. Guest & Philips’ six‑decade presence on Saturday Market underlines the role of specialist, family‑run shops in sustaining the high street offer amid competition from national chains and internet retailers.
As the business looks ahead, the owners emphasise the importance of balancing tradition with modern retailing methods: keeping the craft skills and in‑person service that drew generations of customers while using digital channels to reach a wider audience.
For residents, the anniversary is a reminder of the town’s commercial history and the small firms that continue to operate from Beverley’s historic centre. The jewellers are marking the milestone quietly with customers and long‑term suppliers rather than a large public event.
