From 1856 to right here and now
When you shop with F.Hinds, you’re getting more than just exclusive jewellery, gifts or collectibles – you’re getting a level of experience, support and value that’s nearly 170 years in the making.
Over this time, we’ve seen and done a lot. And we’ve kept evolving to move with the times. But some things have never changed – like the family values we’ve always remained true to.
Today we take these values, along with everything we’ve learnt since 1856, to provide you with all you need from a modern-day jeweller.
Our story
We’ve endured as a business for so long because we’ve always looked to the future. But we never forget where we came from. We’re proud of our past – and as we consider you part of our present and future, we believe it’s a story well worth telling.
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1800s
Our family association with the jewellery and watch trade dates back to the early 1800s, where Joseph Hinds traded as a clockmaker in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
1856
Joseph’s son, George Henry Hinds, came to London and took on a shop at 3 Harrow Road. It was the first ‘Hinds’ store, offering jewellery, clocks and watches, plus repairs.
1876
George moved his thriving business to new premises at290 Edgware Road.
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1885
Following George’s success, other Hinds family members opened shops across the capital. After George’s death in 1883, his son William inherited the business and opened a second shop at King Street, Hammersmith.
1900
Hinds had become a limited company, with its office registered at 98 High Street, Clapham. Rapid expansion followed the turn of the century.
1908
When William’s sons reached 21, they were made company directors – William jnr. in 1908, George in 1910 and Frank in 1912.
1914–18
WW1 took its toll on the family. William snr. died in 1915 and eldest son William jnr. was excused from military service to manage the business.In 1916, George was killed on the Somme and in 1918, Frank was injured in action.
1924
Due to a difference in opinion, the remaining brothers amicably split the Hinds Limited business. Frank’s part became F.Hinds and William’s W.Hinds.
1950s
After Frank married in 1924 he had two children – Eric in 1926 and Roy in 1932. Eric joined the business in 1943 and Roy followed in 1950. F.Hinds grew steadily to 18 branches.
1960s
When Frank died in 1963, Eric and Roy took over. In 1966 they moved to a larger Head Office at 24 Park Road, Uxbridge (where we remain today).
1970s
In 1974, F.Hinds introduced a computer. And in 1979 electronic tills were installed, transforming efficiency. Alongside the development of new towns and shopping centres across England and Wales, the business ended the decade with 66 branches.
1980s
In 1981 Roy’s elder son David joined the company, soon followed by Eric’s eldest son Neil in 1985 and David’s younger brother Andrew in 1989.
1990
Bill Hinds, Eric and Roy’s cousin, who had continued to own shops after the sale of W.Hinds in the 1960s, died in 1989. His remaining shop in Worthing was sold to F.Hinds a year later. Two sides of the family had rejoined after parting over six decades earlier.
1997
F.Hinds was one of the first UK jewellers to go online and to have an ecommerce website.
2000
Our total number of F.Hinds branches had passed 100, consolidating our position as one of the UK’s largest jewellers.
2010s
David’s two sons joined the business – Paul in 2013 and Jeremy in 2014. Paul is now the company’s Managing Director and Jeremy is the Retail Director.
2019
Chapelle, the UK’s leading jewellery and watch outlet specialist, joined the F.Hinds family – bringing with it 12 stores and a website under the Chapelle brand.
Today
We are ever expanding our presence on the UK high street through our F.Hinds and Chapelle stores and websites.
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