The History of Winsor Bishop

Winsor Bishop was established in 1834 and has been situated at its present site for well over 170 years.

The business was known as Pegler Brothers until 1893 when Mr Richard Winsor Bishop bought it. A copy of the valuation certificate indicates that the premises consisted of a shop and an excellent residence with a value for the unexpired term of the lease of £150.

We know also from the census of 1901 that it was still occupied by Richard, Edith and daughter Dora Winsor Bishop plus 2 servants. It appears that the family moved to Beech Lodge on Unthank Road in 1904.

Successive owners of the business were the Copping family, The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Association, Waterford Wedgwood Group, the Kerridge family and now the Croydon family.

Winsor Bishop is the quintessential jewellers shop and each generation of owners has strived and succeeded in making it the leading independent jewellers in the region. The present shape and style of the shop with its late Victorian mahogany showcases and counters had changed little since 1893, although a new watch sales area was developed at the back of the shop by the late owner Robert Croydon, just a few years ago.

With all the top watch and jewellery brands (many of them exclusive to Norwich), Winsor Bishop is widely respected by the trade and public alike as one the leading independent jewellers in the country.

2010 and the start of a new decade promised an exciting era of growth for Winsor Bishop, with ownership of the business passing to Robert’s two daughters, Sophie & Tanya and the opening of a thriving Pandora store located at Chapelfield shopping centre. 2011 saw the Winsor Bishop shop extend from number 41-43 in to neighbouring number 39. This development allowed a 1st floor gallery to be opened and house many more fashion brands as well as our expanded service department.  Enter through number 39’s entrance and you will see dedicated salons to many of our watch brands including an exhibition space for new brands and promotions. Expansion of the store meant expansion for the team too, growing to a 31-strong staff, which now speaks 8 different languages.