Business: T&B Cousins Jewellers
Location: Sun Street
Years of Service: 100+
T & B Cousins and Sons Ltd. Jewellery and Silverware in Sun Street is a family business, still trading from its original site after a HUNDRED years.
Owner Nigel Cousins shares their incredible Canterbury story…
“Our premises in Sun Street, under the sign of the Sun Hotel, was originally my great-grandfather’s shop, and then run by our grandmother after WW2. She has just retired after over 70 years working here.
We are now in our fourth-generation trading from the same shop, of 100 years standing. This is little compared to the age of the timber-framed shop itself, with its jettied elevations and which dates from the middle of the 13th century. The building retains the old beams, which add such character to the showroom.
The Cousins family have always lived in the Canterbury area, and several family weddings have taken place in the crypt of the cathedral. My grandfather first came to Canterbury as a soldier in 1939, when his regiment attended a service in the cathedral before embarking for France with the British Expeditionary Force. He, and his brother from London decided that they would settle in Canterbury if they survived the war. In contrast, I have just recently joined the family team after working in high value antiques in London.
We are favoured with an amazing client-base, living in Kent and from all over the world; Canterbury is a time-honoured place of pilgrimage and settlement.”
What would you put into a Canterbury time capsule?
“Our contribution would be a medallion that my uncle designed, which features the white Invicta horse representing the county of Kent.”
What message would you like to send to those who haven’t yet visited your shop?
“If you like the jewellery and silverware you see in our windows do come in and talk to us, you are assured of a friendly welcome, we are enthusiasts, and our merchandise is of international connoisseur quality.”
T&B Cousins Jewellers
8-9 Sun Street,
Canterbury, CT1 2HX
01227 765 882
enquiries@tbcousins.co.uk
