TGT Meets... Nicholas Wylde

Ahead of 2017's Independent Retailer Month, we spoke to jewellery designer and goldsmith Nicholas Wylde about celebrating thirty years in business, what makes shopping independently so important and what makes Bath unique.

Describe your business in one sentence…
Nicholas Wylde strives to supply unique jewellery and to make the shopping experience as happy as the occasion the piece is bought for.

What inspired you to set up your business in Bath?
From the age of 16 I first visited Bath with my family and instantly felt that this was the city I wanted to work and live in. Within 3 years of coming to the city, I successfully opened my business at the age of 23 realizing that ambition and I’m proud to say that I’m still here 30 years later!

Why do you think it is important to have a month celebrating Bath’s Independent Retailers?
The world is taken over by the dominance of multi-national corporations and chains and It's so important to support the local independent retailer – for unique products, better service and an all-round more positive experience. Bath is a city famous for its uniqueness, including its many indie shops. I believe that Bath is not only for tourists but also for the local community within a 20-mile radius who want to enjoy a lovely day out and spend time browsing around the indie shops and cafes.
You’ll receive personal attention with a better atmosphere in indie shops than the often-impersonal service offered by some chain stores where the shopper is little more than a volume number.

In your opinion, what are Bath’s top 3 ‘Hidden Gems’?
Bath’s side-streets and lanes (like Northumberland Place) offer a wonderful selection of indie traders and cafes with a wide diversity of shopping experiences.
Many ‘hidden gems’ can also be found in the architecture simply by looking up and seeing details that otherwise would be missed.
For the summer, we’ve organized our own ‘Hidden Gems’ trail of sorts in our fabulous Wylde Treasure Hunt around the city centre of Bath. Contestants need to hunt down 7 jewelled treasures hidden in indie traders and major attractions and gather information to be in with a chance of winning a stunning £10k value prize package. Discover more here: http://ow.ly/ui6m30cKaUn

What do you think attracts people to Bath?
It’s a beautifully compact city that allows visitors to walk around easily, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the relaxed ambience of this historic place.

What have been your key challenges and how have you overcome them?
In 2013, we had a devastating fire in our Bath shop caused by an electrical fault. We discovered that Bath is a very supportive city and I was overwhelmed by the support we received from fellow indie traders and within a few months, the store was completely refurbished and open for business again.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Bath?
I don’t have a particular favourite place but always eat at and support independently run restaurants in the city.

Your phone book must be full of business contacts, but who is the most famous person in there?
Over the 30 years, we have made jewellery pieces for many celebrities and even a member of the Royal Family! But we are the sole of discretion and would not name any famous clients.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?
Not only celebrating 30 years in business in 2017 but two other things stand out over that time period: Winning the ‘Best Jewellery Retailer’ Award for the whole of the UK in 2013 for my unique jewellery and launching my own patented diamond cut, the Wylde Flower Diamond ® for my 25th anniversary. Each one created has 81 precisely cut facets – that’s 24 more than a brilliant-cut diamond – including 8 on the base which reveal a perfectly cut flower.
This clever and unique cut allows you to see the stunning flower by looking through the ‘table’ of the stone and creates a brilliance and visual fire that often makes the stone appear larger than its actual size. You won’t find this diamond anywhere else in the world.

Describe Bath in 3 words
Unique, atmospheric , vibrant