'I started to feel that the demand was there for a permanent shop'

After more than 30 years of running her jewellery business Royal Mile Silver from stalls and pop-ups, operating alfresco, Chandra Mather has moved indoors with the opening of her first shop in Edinburgh, writes Gaby Soutar

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Chandra Mather at the door of her Jeffrey Street store, main; Royal Mile Silver designs, below

It's going to be a very jolly Christmas for a certain jewellery shop. That's because this will be Royal Mile Silver's first festive season in their new spot at Edinburgh's 11 Jeffrey Street. After decades of operating alfresco, they're welcoming customers to explore their ranges in a more traditional setting. We asked owner Chandra Mather to share her story.

Tell us about the shop

I've been running market stalls in central Edinburgh for more than 30 years, and an ecommerce business since 2020. Many customers who buy from us during the Fringe or the Christmas Market ask if we have a permanent shop. The timing for these things has to be right, and last year I started to feel that the demand was there, so I started to look for a suitable property.

And the new location?

I knew that I wanted to be near the Royal Mile as my brand is Royal Mile Silver. I loved the property on Jeffrey Street and was delighted that we could open there. We've had a lovely warm welcome from neighbouring businesses and fantastic feedback about the atmosphere in the shop, the friendliness of the team and the choice of jewellery, so it all seems to have fallen into place.