Romsey jewellery business receives council grant support
A new jewellery business in Romsey has been awarded a £1200 Independent Retailer Grant from Test Valley Borough Council to help bring an empty town centre property back into use.
Eliza Marti secured the premises at 8 Cornmarket Street for a traditional jewellery shop offering handmade jewellery and repair services.
The business is owned by Zhirayr Martirosyan (Marti), who has more than 25 years’ experience in the jewellery trade. Before relocating to the UK, he ran a jewellery shop in Bulgaria. Since moving to the UK six years ago, he has worked as a jewellery repairer with Ernest Jones, building further experience in the sector.
The new shop provides high-quality jewellery and professional repair services, supporting Romsey’s independent retail offer and contributing to the vitality of the town centre.
Romsey Abbey ward councillor Nik Daas said: “Independent retailers play a vital role in the character and success of our town centres. It’s great to see an empty property in Romsey being brought back into use by a business owner with such a strong background in the jewellery trade. We’re pleased to support Eliza Marti through this grant and wish them every success as they establish their new shop.”
Marti, owner of Eliza Marti, said: “I am a jeweller with more than 25 years of experience and have been a resident of Romsey for several years. Romsey is a lovely historic town with many beautiful old buildings, clean air, and wonderful nature, but the most important treasure of Romsey is its friendly and positive community.
“I am very happy to open my first jewellery shop in Romsey and hope to provide high-quality jewellery services for many years to come. I highly appreciate the help of the Test Valley Borough Council for all the information, guidance, and financial support.”
The Independent Retailer Grant is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and encouraging economic growth across the borough. It provides £1200 in two tranches, after a minimum 3 months and 9 months of trading, to businesses moving into empty ground-floor town centre premises.