A Lifetime of
Parsons the Jewellers

George Edgecumbe opened the very first shop in a Tudor building on Redcross Street in Bristol’s Old Market in 1710. He trained as a brass founder and as he was a skilled craftsman, he saw an opportunity to move into clock-making as well.

His son married Elizabeth Parsons and it was their son, George, who helped the family business branch out into jewellery. As the firm prospered, a second shop known as the Old Queen Anne House in opened in 1868. Unfortunately, this location was destroyed years later in the Blitz during the Second World War.

The core of the business nonetheless survived and continued to serve the local community. The original shop remained in the same location for 250 years until 1966 when it was demolished to make way for a new road layout. Undeterred, Parsons the Jewellers continued to trade from the Broadmead Shopping Centre. 

In 1992 Edward Parsons, the seventh generation to run the store, died leaving his widow Freda in charge. As Edward and Freda did not have any heirs, the business was sold seven years after Edward’s death to Paul Davis, who was a family acquaintance. 

In 2014 Parsons is purchased by the Banks family. The shop is rebranded and The 1710 Collection is launched to positive reviews from customers. In 2018, the shop location changes to the Thornbury High Street in Bristol.