The History Of James Porter & Son

 

Glasgow’s Argyll Arcade is Scotland’s premier destination for jewellery shopping. Widely regarded as the diamond jewellery centre of the North, the Arcade is home to more than 30 jewellers and diamond merchants. However, there is one business that was there first and for many thousands of Glaswegians, the chances are their grandparents and great grandparents shopped there.

James Porter & Son is not only the longest established jewellers in Glasgow, but also the fifth oldest business in Scotland. A fifth-generation family jewellers, it was founded in 1858 and has passed directly from father to son. Simon Porter has run the business since 2007.

We catch up with Simon to discover more about the fascinating history of James Porter & Son, how the business has evolved and why, despite the challenges of the pandemic, it is flourishing.

 

History

Can you tell us a Brief History of James Porter & Son?

SP: The business was founded in 1858 by my great, great grandfather, James Porter. He served his apprenticeship with Breckenbridge watch and clockmakers in Kilmarnock. When he was 21, he moved to Glasgow and started a successful business account to the watch trade under his name. James worked in several locations on both Gordon and Buchannan Street in the City Centre before opening his own store at 134 Argyll Street. Unfortunately, a city bank failure forced him to sell these premises. However, in May 1887 he went on to purchase 25 Argyll Arcade which is the heart of the business today.

Ten years later, James’ son Gabriel joined the family business and in 1905 the name was officially changed to James Porter & Son. In 1920 the store expanded with the purchase of number 26 Argyll Arcade and again in 1928 with the purchase of number 24 Argyll Arcade. Today, this is the footprint of our flagship boutique.

In 1963, my grandfather, Douglas Porter, acquired 12-14 Argyll Arcade. By this time the firm was specialising in diamond rings, jewellery, and watches. The following year, my father, aged 17, also named Douglas, went to train at Pykes Jewellers in Liverpool. He returned and went on to run the business until I joined him in 1995. Like my father, I trained outside the firm, at Salloways in Lichfield from 1992 - 1995. My father and I worked together for over 10 years before he retired, and it was in 2007 I took over the role as managing director of James Porter & Son.

 

What do you think each generation has added to the business? What has stayed the same?

SP: I think each generation has maintained continuity whilst ensuring the business adapts to the demands of the modern consumer. Our commitment to quality and customer care has remained our number one priority.

 

When do you think was the period of the most rapid change?

SP: Over the 164-year history of the business there has been huge change both in the way we shop and what we are shopping for.
I think the period when my father ran the business was certainly a time of rapid change. The rise of chains, department stores and catalogue shopping created a huge challenge for Independent, jewellery businesses in the 1970’s and 80’s. The trade became very price driven and this of course led to a decline in quality. There was a feeling that in every High Street you would find shops selling similar products for similar prices. Of course, now we have seen a complete turnaround. Today’s consumer is well informed and makes buying choices based on quality as well as other important factors such as sustainability.

Embracing Online

In recent years, the internet has dramatically changed the way customers shop. Fortunately, we embraced the online retail environment early on and today it is a vital part of our business. In the past when new products came in, our priority was to display them in the shop window as soon as possible. Today, the first thing we do is photograph the products for our website and social media channels before we place them out on display. These platforms are our digital shop window and vital in providing the best shopping experience for our customers. We realise it's important for people to research what they want to buy. Often customers will come into the shop to look at an item they have seen on our website or social channels first. Social media has also widened our customer base. With the use of our own original photography, we are particularly successful on Instagram, with over 6.5K followers on our watches account alone (@jamesporterandson) and growing our diamonds & jewellery account (@jamesporterandsondiamonds).

The Covid-19 pandemic has served to further focus retailers on the opportunities provided by online selling and promotion. Had we been unable to communicate effectively with our customers in the months we were closed, the situation would have been much more difficult for us.

 

How has the style of the shop changed over the years?

SP: The style of the shop has evolved and so has the way we interact with customers. We no longer serve customers from behind locked counters. Customers can now come in, sit down in a comfortable armchair, and have a nice glass of champagne. We have taken great care over our retail environment by keeping it contemporary and elegant, whilst at the same time maintaining a warm and homely feel. It is important to spend time with our customers and for them to really enjoy the experience of shopping with us.

We also work closely with a fantastic local florist who creates beautiful window displays and freestanding arrangements for us. Being in the Argyll Arcade we are surrounded by other jewellers, and it is essential that we stand out. Therefore, our window displays are of huge importance, and we take immense pride in making them as beautiful and engaging as possible.

 

James Porter & Son is in Glasgow’s famous Argyll Arcade which is Scotland’s premier jewellery shopping destination. Tell us about the Arcade and how it has evolved over the years?

SP: The Argyll Arcade is itself a special part of the history of Glasgow. Built in 1827, it was Grade A listed in 1970 due to its architectural and historic national importance. The Arcade is L-shaped and was cut through old tenements, providing a link between Argyle Street and Buchanan Street. Parisian in style, the Arcade is Europe’s oldest covered shopping mall.

Although today the Arcade is famous for jewellery, when James bought the shop in 1887, that certainly wasn’t the case. Even as recently as the 1990’s when I started in the business, it was not all jewellery stores, there were other types of shops present in the Arcade. The evolution of the Argyll Arcade becoming a jewellery shopping destination has occurred naturally over time.

 

History of James Porter & Son: Watches

Tell us about the watch brands that you carry today compared with the watch brands of the past. What is different? What has stayed the same?

SP: Watches have always been an important part of the business. However, in recent years we have made a conscious decision to move towards independent brands that offer predominantly mechanical watches. Brands such as Doxa and Sinn are not seen in every town or city, and this sets us apart from other retailers. We have a very loyal customer base for watches with an abundance of collectors who shop with us regularly. They are incredibly well informed about watches and so these more unique, interesting brands are a great fit for us.

Which brands have you enjoyed the longest-standing relationships with and why?

SP: We have been an authorised retailer for Seiko for many years and seen some very unusual pieces from them over the years. We were also one of the first UK retailers for Grand Seiko when they first came to the UK, and we are now one of a small number of Seiko and Grand Seiko Salons.
Also, we have been stockists of Michel Herbelin watches for almost 30 years. Like us, the brand is Independent, and family owned, offering high quality and value for money.

 

History of James Porter & Son: Jewellery

Over the last 160 years, many thousands of couples in Glasgow have purchased their engagement and wedding rings from James Porter. Do you still care for and repair family pieces that were originally purchased from Porters?

SP: Yes, we certainly do. We regularly see rings brought into the shop in our vintage ring boxes. We offer a free clean and polish service on engagement rings bought from us for the lifetime of the ring. Maintaining these special rings and keeping them looking their best is a real pleasure.

We also see customers bring in vintage pieces they have inherited for us to examine. With our online growth over the last few years, we have had customers from all over the world email photos of old jewellery and silverware in our vintage boxes and ask us to try and date them or provide any information we can on the pieces. It is wonderful to see these items being handed down from generation to generation, and some of them emigrating all over the world. We have also seen old pocket watches in for repair with 'James Porter & Son' printed on the dial, which is a lovely link to our past.

History of James Porter & Son: Workshop services

Porters offer a complete range of workshop services from basic repairs right the way through to bespoke jewellery design using CAD. Have repairs always been an important part of the business?

SP: Very much so. Jewellery is often of huge sentimental value to people and maintenance is essential to prevent loss or damage. Seeing the reaction of customers to pieces we have remade or restored is very rewarding. As we have been around for so long it has always been important to us to be able to care for the jewellery over its lifetime, even if that means remodelling it into a more modern style.

Do you think the long heritage of the company makes people more willing to entrust their most precious pieces to you for repair?

SP: I think so. When you have links with families that go back generations, there is an increased level of trust there.

 

History of James Porter & Son: About You

Did you always know that you would take over the business?

SP: No. I was never actively encouraged to go into the business. In fact, after leaving school, I studied Graphic Design. However, a month into my second year I decided that it wasn’t for me. It was then that I went to train at Salloways in Lichfield, before entering the business full time in 1995.

Why do you think James Porter & Son has managed the process of succession so well where so many other family businesses have failed?

SP: I think you must have a passion for it. It’s 24/7, but if you love what you do then that passion drives the business forward. I do all the buying myself and I really enjoy creating window displays. When new products come in there is a real buzz and excitement from our team. We strive to create the best content and displays for our customers to begin their journey with us.

Which watch is on your wrist today?

Today I am wearing the Mühle-Glashütte Teutonia IV Moonphase. Tomorrow it could be something different! I have a real passion for horology and own several watches from different brands, so I like to mix things up day to day.

 

And finally…

What do you think James Porter would be most proud of if he could see the business he established today?

SP: I think he would be proud to see that we are still in the same Argyll Arcade location. Also, how we have evolved over time. He never stood still and neither do we. The business has survived two world wars, a global recession and we are now navigating the challenges of trading throughout a global pandemic by embracing social media and the internet. Although traditional at heart, our approach is modern. I think my great, great grandfather would be proud to see that.

What is the thing you love most about Porters?

So many things, but I am particularly proud of my team. Over the years we have built a strong team of experienced and loyal staff. Some have been with us for over 20 years. Our customers appreciate their knowledge and expertise and that sets us apart.

What does the future hold for the business?

I don’t know yet if my own children will want to be involved in the business. However, the sixth generation is there if they choose to come and join us! It’s entirely their choice.