1887 — The Beginning
W.R. Bullen Jewellers was established by William Redgrave Bullen, a descendant of Anne Boleyn. A former fine tailor and footwear merchant, he took over a local jewellery business from a Mrs. Cooper, creating what would become a beloved family legacy.
"From Tailor to Treasure"
William Bullen had a Gentleman’s fine tailors in Magdalen Street and a shop at 47 - 49 London Street proclaiming “Fine Quality Boots and Shoes to the Gentry of Norfolk".
1898 — A Cornerstone Is Set
Originally trading at 47–49 London Street, the business moved to its current iconic corner location at 29 London Street, Norwich. The site has remained our home ever since.
The bespoke shopfront and fittings were hand crafted in Norwich by the cabinet makers Robertson and Colman. A testament to their quality and beauty that they are still in use today. Providing that tradition charm that cannot be reproduced, and forming an integral part of the fabric of the amazing building we see today.
1901 - Family Tradition Begins
William Spratt Bullen, William’s son, joined the business. He fondly remembered the long days—only closing when the street was empty, often as late as 10pm.
Next generation - Brothers Donald and Richard Bullen took up the reigns, literally. Richard, as a young man, began by tending the horse and carriages while the Lord's and Ladies were served inside—a true family business from the start.
1901 - London Street, Norwich
In this photo you can see how narrow the street used to be and at that time the transport of horse and carriges and in other streets of Norwich, the tramways were in use. In 1901, London Street was undergoing an improvement scheme. One of the key aspects of this scheme was the widening of the street at the junction with Castle Street and Swan Lane, creating a larger open space. The trams rattled through the City until 1936. This is the same year W.R. Bullen became a Limited Company, a symbol of changing times.
1967 — A Street for People
London Street coped with two way traffic and the pavements were so narrow prams and the like would scrape along the shop windows. It was largely welcome when in 1967 the street became the first fully pedestrianised street in United Kingdon. Within 3 years, another 20 streets became pedestrianised in the United Kingdon.
Life was rarely dull in London Street; trading was interrupted on 1st August 1970 when Garlands department store was destroyed by fire. It was a case of ‘all hands-on deck’, with a human chain to help Buckinghams shoe shop save thousands of pairs of shoes from the heat next door.
1982 — A Star Turn
The film crew had said they would film quietly in the background and there would be little interruption to business!
Luckily, we chose to allow the filming only with the shop closed. This turned out to be a good decision.... as the film crew of seventeen arrived, plus actors, make-up artists, hair stylists, cameras, lights, reflectors, metres of cables etc. - The small shop was filled to bursting for half a day.
The finished result was a mere few seconds of TV and film time with just a glimpse of a glass cabinet door and our windows!
Tales of The Unexpected
In 1982, for the first time, the shop ‘featured’ briefly in an episode of ‘Tales of The Unexpected’, starring Toyah Wilcox.
45 Years
A similar scenario was to play out again on the 24th March 2014 when a film crew arrived with Charlotte Wrappling to film parts of the film 45 Years.
1980s–90s — Craftsmanship Expands
Over the years Bullens has traded through some challenging times, in the early 80’s the UK’s economy was very volatile, we had high rates of inflation and unemployment, and as we know gold performs best during times of uncertainty. In 1980 the fix price of gold peaked at a record $843 USD. A new record set in April 2025 wher the fix price is $3,331.
2000s — A New Chapter
When Stephen retired in 2008, he sold the business to another local jewellery family headed by ‘Harry’ Hemstock.
Harry was one of the first Retail Jewellers in the UK to become an official Registered Valuer in 1987.
Michele, Harry’s daughter studied business management at the UEA and has the National Association of Jewellers Gemstone & Jewellers qualification.
The Hemstocks introduced a dynamic new portfolio of suppliers, workshops, experiences, and specialist knowledge to enhance their already distinguished offering. This includes a comprehensive jewellery, watch, and silverware valuation service, along with dedicated gemstone buyers who expertly source rare gemstones and diamonds from around the world to craft their signature in-house collections. These expanded capabilities laid the foundation for their highly sought-after bespoke jewellery service, where customer visions are brought to life through detailed sketches, hand-painted illustrations, or precise CAD designs.
In Search of The Best!
Our dedicated gemstone buyers travel the world in search of the finest gemstones—exploring premier sourcing destinations like Gem World in Hong Kong, hand-selecting diamonds in Mumbai, India, and even venturing into a working opal mine in Australia—all to ensure we bring only the very best to our customers.
2012 & Beyond - Award Winning
Along the way we have been honoured to win some amazing awards and lucky enough to employ some recognised rising stars too. Retail Jeweller celebrate young rising stars in our industry and celebrate their achievements. The Professional Jeweller Hot 100 profiles the top 100 independent jewellery and watch retailers from the UK & Ireland. The Retail Jeweller Inspiring Independents is a celebration of all that is great about independent retail and we are thrilled to have made it on to the list for many years.
The Proposals
Over 135 years of helping our customers find the perfect ring is still one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of what we do. From working to budgets and sourcing the perfect diamond, to crafting a ring that tells their unique story—it has been an honour to be part of so many proposals over the years, and a true privilege to share in the unforgettable moments that mark the beginning of each couple’s journey together.
Here are just a few.........
2017 & 2022 Anniversary Celebrations
In 2017, as part of our 130-year anniversary celebrations, we made the decision to rebrand under the name our customers have affectionately used for generations: Bullens Jewellers. The Hemstock family proudly continues the stewardship of the Bullens Jewellers legacy. We marked our 130th anniversary with a special celebration alongside our valued suppliers and customers at The Assembly House in Norwich, and in 2022, we were delighted to host a memorable customer event in honour of 135 years in business.
Our Brides & Grooms, We Love to Celebrate
At the heart of every love story is a symbol—a timeless circle that represents unity, eternity, and the unbreakable bond between two people. Each of our wedding rings blends fine materials with thoughtful craftsmanship, capturing the meaning, care, and commitment behind every "I do."
Every couple we meet inspires us. Our brides and grooms come from different walks of life, but they share one thing: a love worth celebrating. Whether you're planning a grand celebration or an intimate ceremony, we’re here to help you celebrate your love with rings that tell your unique story. Here are just a few....
Community & Commitment: Our Sponsorships
We’re proud to support a wide range of local initiatives that reflect our values and help us stay meaningfully connected with the community. From celebrating life’s special moments to backing important causes, it’s our honour to be part of something bigger.
💍 Wedding Show Sponsorship
We are delighted to sponsor The East Anglia wedding show that brings together couples, creatives, and small businesses in a vibrant celebration of love and craftsmanship. It is a two day event filled with inspiration, connection, and dreams for the future.
🧠 Supporting the Alzheimer’s Society
As part of our ongoing commitment to health and wellbeing, we proudly supported the Alzheimer’s Society. Their work in supporting families and advancing dementia research is incredibly important to us, and we’re honoured to contribute to their mission.
🥋 Taekwondo Student Award
We sponsor student awards at the National Martial Arts Committee Great Britain, recognising outstanding dedication, perseverance, and personal growth. Supporting young people on their journey reminds us of the value of resilience, focus, and community spirit.
🎨 Jewellery Design Competition
We launched a jewellery design competition to inspire creativity and celebrate emerging talent. It’s a joy to see fresh ideas brought to life, and to give aspiring designers a platform to shine.
🏫 Supporting Local Schools and Clubs
Our community investment also includes support for local schools and clubs. Whether it’s funding projects, donating prizes, or helping create new opportunities, we’re committed to nurturing growth and making a lasting difference.
These efforts are more than sponsorships—they’re a reflection of what matters most to us: celebrating meaningful moments, supporting vital causes, and investing in our communities.
Where to Find Us
29 London Street
Norwich
NR2 1HU
info@bullensjewellers.co.uk
01603 620641
Cannot fault the team here, me and my now Fiancé were drawn in by a beautiful engagement ring and greeted with nothing but top service from a team who could not do enough to help us!
We will definitely be attending in the near future to shop for wedding rings.
Ben Potter
Engagement Ring
The most amazing service, customer experience and attention to detail I’ve ever had. I wanted to make a bespoke engagement ring for my partner and Jake and the team went above and beyond to make that a reality for me. I could thank Jake enough for everything he has done. From acquiring the best stones for the best price, the alterations post-completion, absolutely everything. Thank you Jake for making it perfect. Having now proposed, my partner could not be happier with the result, it is perfect!
JJeast
Bespoke Engagement Ring
This is my go to jeweller's
Can't rate this shop enough really friendly knowledgeable staff who are willing to go that extra mile too give excellent service.
Prices to suit everyone's pocket ....
