Our Story

Welcome to Lowe & Sons by Powells.

1770

It all began here in the area now known to be the epicentre of the city - The Cross. In this vicinity there was once an extension of St Peters Church known as The Pentice - a building that once housed a court, the Mayors Balcony, various shops and was also a place where nobles and dignitaries would be entertained by the Mayor and his corporation.

-

This drawing dated 1770 depicts The Pentice and lists some of the many craftsman based here; Lowes Silversmith, Philpot Button Maker and Sharpe Stay Maker to name a few.

1791

Lowe & Sons has always had a long-lasting and healthy relationship with one of Chester most icon landmarks - The Chester Racecourse.

-

We have supplied the racecourse with trophies, cups, prizes and other services for centuries and proudly continue to do so today.

1804

The Lowe family purchased no. 11 Bridge Street Row and moved the shop from the original premises located at The Pentice after the building was demolished in order to widen the roads and accomodate the ever growing movement of Chester.

-

This is the present location of the shop still 216 years later.

1824

Lowe and Sons sourced numerous items of silverware from many well known and prolific manufactures such as William Bateman. This is an invoice for seven pieces of silver totals just short of £13 which is equivalent to £746.60 in today’s money.

1840

This drawing of Bridge Street by George Pickering dated circa 1840 gives us a wonderful insight into life during the early Victorian Era.

-

Lowe & Sons is just visible in the right hand side of the frame, following the right hand side towards St Peters Church.

1912

Fifth Officer Harold Lowe was aboard the Titanic, he managed to assist numerous passengers into the lifeboats before being ordered to get into lifeboat 14 himself. After dropping off the passengers, he returned to the site of the disaster to rescue any survivors, which included the only female to survive being in the freezing ocean, Rhoda Abbott.

1947

Lowe & Sons commissioned pieces of silver that were given as gifts to The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for their wedding. The Queen returned a letter of gratitude which expressed her delight towards the new silver salver, entrée dishes and sauce boats. 

1956

Lowe and Sons were commissioned to create a cigarette box with an enamelled depiction of Aureole, a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who was owned by Queen Elizabeth II. The box was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by Members of the Cheshire County Council, to commemorate the opening by Her Majesty of the Cheshire County Hall, 11 July 1957. The cigarette box features the Chester hallmark and George F. Lowe makers mark.

1962

The Chester Assay Office closed in the August of 1962. The last piece of silver to bear the Chester hallmark was made by Francis Lowe of Lowe & Sons, and marked by Vincent Ward the last Chester Assay Master.

2018

At the end of the year, the shop benefited from a thorough restoration by the new owners, Greg and Will Powell of Powells Jewellery. Bringing the shop back to its former glory.

If you want to know more about our history call in and have a browse in our museum.