PRESS RELEASE: F.Hinds strengthens community commitment with charity impact and continued retail investment as it marks 170 years of trading

F.Hinds, one of the UK’s longest-established family-owned jewellers, has reinforced its commitment to responsible business, community investment and long-term high-street growth following an impressive performance in 2025. Looking ahead, 2026 marks 170 years of trading for the business, which remains under the leadership of sixth-generation members of the Hinds family.

Across its retail estate, including leading outlet brand Chapelle, F.Hinds raised £40,666 for charity in 2025, demonstrating a clear, measurable commitment to ESG values and community engagement alongside commercial growth.

A key focus of the year was the delivery of two national charity partnerships, both of which exceeded fundraising targets. In the first year of its partnership with Dementia UK, F.Hinds surpassed its £10,000 target to raise £14,433, supporting the delivery of frontline dementia care. The business also exceeded expectations in its ongoing support of BBC Children in Need, raising £12,074 to fund essential projects for children and young people across the UK.

Complementing national partnerships, F.Hinds and Chapelle continue to operate a decentralised, colleague-led approach to community giving. In 2025, 84 local charities were supported, all nominated by store teams to reflect the needs of their local catchments. Beneficiaries included hospices, schools, sports clubs, wildlife sanctuaries, and community organisations, delivering tangible social value in every location the brands trade.

Further charitable contributions during the year included Save the Children (£364), Thames Hospice (£4,000) and the Retail Trust (£5,968), underscoring F.Hinds’ support for both national causes and the wider retail sector.

Andrew Hinds, Chairman of F.Hinds, commented, “Supporting our communities has always been integral to how we operate as a business. I am extremely proud of our teams across both F.Hinds and Chapelle for delivering outstanding results in 2025 - not only exceeding our national fundraising targets, but also driving meaningful local impact chosen by our colleagues themselves. This approach strengthens our culture, our communities, and our partnerships.”

Alongside its community initiatives, 2025 marked a period of continued portfolio investment. The second half of the year saw new store openings and relocations across the F.Hinds and Chapelle estates. F.Hinds saw a return to Aylesbury with a brand new store in Friar’s Square Shopping Centre, and the opening of the business’s second Scottish store in Livingston.

In August, the thirteenth Chapelle branch opened its doors at the new Cotswolds Designer Outlet in Tewskesbury.

Building on this momentum, relocation of F.Hinds stores in Bradford and at Lakeside are scheduled for the coming months, reflecting sustained confidence in physical retail and long-term partnerships with landlords and destinations.

Andrew concluded, “As we celebrate 170 years as a family business in 2026, we remain focused on sustainable growth, responsible retailing and continued investment in our stores, people and communities. Our heritage gives us a long-term perspective, and we are committed to building value for partners, customers, and future generations alike.”

About F.Hinds:

From humble beginnings in Paddington in 1856 to 132 F.Hinds & Chapelle stores across England, Scotland, and Wales in 2026, F.Hinds is proud to be a strong, family owned and independent British business.

Having been on the high-street for 170 years, F.Hinds won the “Retailer of the Year” award at the UK Jewellery Awards 2023 and was given the “Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award” at the Retail Jeweller Awards in 2022. The business was also voted “Retail Family Business of the Year” at the Family Business Awards in 2023 and “Multiple Fashion Jewellery Retailer of the Year” in 2019 and 2021.

Selling a wide variety of jewellery, watches and gifts for every occasion, F.Hinds offers a full range of services including Gold for Cash, jewellery design, remodelling & repair, watch servicing & battery replacements, valuations, insurance and more. In 2019, F.Hinds also welcomed outlet jewellery and watch specialist Chapelle to the family. 12 outlets came with this acquisition, which now brings the F.Hinds Group portfolio to 132.

As a socially responsible business, F.Hinds ensure they work to several industry standards, including those of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ). Suppliers and manufacturers are also expected to strive to match these exacting standards, as well as complying with Ethical Trading rules.

The business is working to minimise the impact of discarded items on the environment, with their watch scrappage scheme and repairs service, designed to encourage upcycling and extending the life of pieces. Recycled packaging is available, used watch batteries are all safely reprocessed, and waste electrical items are recycled in accordance with WEEE Regulations.   

For information about F.Hinds’ interesting history visit www.fhinds.co.uk

About Chapelle:

Chapelle is the UK’s leading outlet expert in jewellery and designer watches, offering exceptional value without compromising on quality or style.

With 13 locations across major outlet centres and a growing online presence, Chapelle helps customers find the perfect piece for less, making luxury affordable.

Chapelle boasts over 40 years of expertise in the industry, and has been part of family jeweller F.Hinds since 2019.

For more information, visit www.chapelle.co.uk