Granite Anniversary: W Uttley Ltd Celebrates 90 years of Unshakeable Strength in Crossgates

While many associate long anniversaries with precious gems, one Crossgates institution is marking a milestone that feels much more permanent. W Uttley Ltd, the family-run jewellery and expert repair specialist on Station Road, is officially celebrating its 90th anniversary – a ‘Granite Anniversary’ that perfectly mirrors the shop’s history of unshakeable strength and solid foundation within the LS15 community.

This story begins in 1936 when the business was founded by Willis Uttley. It was here that a young Alan Wright started his journey as Willis’s apprentice, learning the meticulous craft that would define the shop for decades. When the time came for Alan to take over, he made the heartfelt decision to keep the original name, W Uttley Ltd, as a lasting tribute to his former boss and mentor. The family legacy deepened in the 1970’s when Alan’s son, Stephen Wright, 61, started working there in 1979 aged 14 whilst still at school. After leaving school it was the next natural step for Stephen to begin working at the shop full-time, learning the trade directly from his father. This linage of craftmanship – from Willis to Alan and now to Stephen, has preserved the shop’s status as well as a solid foundation within the LS15 community.

The shop has stood firm through decades of change, surviving world wars, economic shifts and the evolution of the high street to remain the second oldest business in the district.  To mark nearly a century of service, the doors were open for a special celebration on Tuesday, 7th April, with customers invited to share in cake, treats and memories.

The business remains a true family affair, now led by Stephen who took over the helm from his father, following his father’s death in 2012, ensuring the ‘granite-like’ reliability that defined the shop in the 1930s remains the cornerstone today with a true family anchor.

Today, the business is a muti-generational team effort and over the years, the counter has been graced by almost every member of the family, including Stephen’s mother, Anne Wright who worked there part-time. Stephen’s sister, Linda Bateman, works alongside their cousin, Louise Mason. The shop also recently saw the retirement of a true veteran: Janet Hewson, Alan’s sister and Stephen’s auntie, who at 78 has just stepped back after years of dedicated service. Even the younger generation has left its mark, with Natalie Bateman, Linda’s daughter and Stephen’s niece, working there part-time during her university years.

Like granite itself, the relationship with Crossgates is built on durability and trust. As W Uttley enters its tenth decade, it stands as a testament to local roots and enduring quality. For the residents of LS15, the shop is more than a business; it is a piece of history that remains as solid as the day Willis Uttley first opened the doors.