Our heritage

Cope Jewellers proudly blends 170 years of heritage with modern craftsmanship, evolving from a Victorian manufacturer into a contemporary family-run retailer rooted in enduring values of quality, reliability, and tradition.

Cope Jewellers can trace their origins back to 1845 when two brothers, George & Francis Cope, established a clock manufacturing business on Holden St. near Canning Circus, Nottingham.

WWhilst their most well known work is the beautiful clock situated in the dome of Nottingham's Council House, Cope clocks can be found in many different places and their history is as rich and vibrant as the bells that toll across the city.

In 1877, George and Francis's young nephew William moved from Dewsbury, Yorkshire to live with them in Nottingham. He served a 7 year apprenticeship with his uncles, starting on a wage of 3 shillings (15p) a week. Their work quickly became well recognised and loved and, in 1881, they created a new clock for the Exchange building in the centre of Nottingham.

By 1900, George and Francis had died and William took over the running of the business. He maintained the highest standards of workmanship combined with a progressive business policy. He was what we would call an ‘early adopter', replacing steam engines with electric motors and installing a telephone in his office. He bought a motor car in 1904 but due to its unreliability continued to use horse transport until 1912.

William died a relatively young man in 1922.
His son, William W. Cope, known as Bill, had barely completed his own apprenticeship when he assumed control of the business, however he was a gifted engineer and clockmaker and was ably assisted by an experienced team of craftsmen.

During this period the Holden Street works produced some of Cope's most impressive clocks, including the Lever House Clock, Blackfriars with a 15ft dial and the clock on the University of Nottingham's Trent Building with four 9ft dials and chiming on 2 1⁄2 tons of bells.

In addition to making large "turret" clocks for public buildings, the company also produced some smaller clocks such as a court room clock that hangs in the Galleries of Justice and the enormous Grandfather clock that stands on the balcony of the old Yates wine lodge (now Slug & Lettuce).

Another notable clock is the Lewis & Grundy clock fixed to the outside of the Pit & Pendulum, on Victoria St. Nottingham. It was made around 1950 for the ironmongers Lewis & Grundy and featured two small automaton blacksmith whose hammers struck an anvil on the hour.

In fact, Cope clocks can be found all across Nottinghamshire, including the Hicking Building on London Rd, the West Bridgford school on Loughborough Rd and many churches, including St. Mary's in the Lace Market. They can be found as far away as Reykjavik, Iceland and Perth, Australia.

In 1928, the company was asked to design and build a great clock to be installed in the giant dome that would surmount the new Council House in the centre of Nottingham.

This was Bill's masterpiece, and all his skill and expertise was devoted to the manufacture of this clock.

This superb clock, after nearly 100 years, is still running smoothly and remains the heartbeat of the city centre.

The clock mechanism is purely mechanical, with a large gravity escapement that needs winding by hand weekly. The strike/chine mechanism is governed by an electric motor. The bells were cast by Taylors of Loughborough. The 10 ton bronze hour bell has the deepest tone (E flat) in the British Isles and can be heard up to 8 miles away.

By the outbreak of World War II, the company had moved to larger premises nearby on Portland Road and production focused on manufacturing for the war effort. The factory made fuse components and items for the Admiralty such as zig-zag convoy clocks. After the war, the demand for large public clocks declined, however, domestic clock production expanded; there was plenty of repair and maintenance work to keep the factory busy.

G & F Cope had been selling clocks from the factory for some time, but it was in 1923 that they opened their first retail store on Alfreton Road. In 1926 they opened their shop at Elite Corner, Upper Parliament Street, where they are still trading today.
Other shops followed in the 1950s in Grantham, Mansfield and Worksop. The Newark branch opened in 1966.

By now Bill Cope's sons had followed him into the business.
First, after an apprenticeship with Ericsson Telephones Ltd, Beeston, David Cope took over the management of the factory which had moved to Prospect Place in Lenton in 1945. However, the late 20th century was a very difficult period for British manufacturing; mechanical clocks were being replaced with electric and quartz movements, and with Bill Cope having retired, the manufacturing business was sold to Smiths of Derby. The Lenton factory was closed in 1984.

Bill's youngest son, Richard, had decided that his future lay in developing the retail business.
He was trained by the world famous jeweller Gübelin, at their Lucerne shop. It was here that he learned the importance of superb customer service and how the Swiss create a showroom of fine watches and jewellery. He was tutored in diamonds and gemstones by the highly regarded Dr. Gübelin. By 1968, the shop doubled in size by taking on an adjacent unit.

In 1957, he set up a service department in the basement of the Nottingham shop and introduced high quality Swiss watch brands. Richard was Chairman and President of the National Association of Jewellers, President of the British Horological Institute and Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers (1993).
Richard sadly died in 2023 just a few days short of his 90th birthday.

In 1979, Richard's daughter Susan joined the firm. She trained under the manager of the Newark store, worked for many years in the Nottingham shop, moving back to run the Newark shop in 2009. Susan retired in April 2026 after 47 years in the business but remains a Director.

Richard's eldest son, Andrew, joined in 1985. He obtained his Retail Jewellery Diploma in 1987 and qualified as a prize winning gemmologist in 1989. He is now Managing Director. In the same year Copes became a member of the Company of Master Jewellers, allowing them to enjoy some of the benefits enjoyed by large retailers whilst retaining their independence.

Susan's daughter, Hannah joined the Company in 2011. Hannah has a Retail Jewellers Diploma and a Management Diploma from Pandora. Alongside traditional jewellery, she has built up the range of affordable jewellery brands, is a Director, and manages the Newark Shop.

Cope Jewellers has a unique history and heritage that they are very proud of. Over 6 generations of the one family, they have undergone many changes and evolved from a Victorian manufacturer to a modern 21st Century retailer of jewellery and watches. But they are still very much a family business and the traditional values of quality, value and craftsmanship, that their eminent ancestors held dear, are just as important today as they were over 180 years ago when the Company was established.

Cope Jewellers

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Rolex Submariner Date 41 on Oyster bracelet

Omega Constellation Globemaster Steel 39mm

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Our heritage

Where it all began

William Cope: A visionary

Clocks of distinction

The heartbeat of Nottingham

Adapting through war

A vision for retail

A growing family legacy

A living heritage

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Cope Jewellers

Popular Products

Rolex Submariner Date 41 on Oyster bracelet

Omega Constellation Globemaster Steel 39mm

TAG HEUER LINK

Cope Jewellers

Popular Products

Rolex Submariner Date 41 on Oyster bracelet

Omega Constellation Globemaster Steel 39mm

TAG HEUER LINK

Cope Jewellers

Popular Products

Our heritage

Where it all began

William Cope: A visionary

Clocks of distinction

The heartbeat of Nottingham

Adapting through war

A vision for retail

A growing family legacy

A living heritage

Instagram

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