Growing and surviving six challenging decades Independent family businesses rare in tough trading times
Beverley, East Yorkshire 25th August 2026: Beverley’s oldest established family jewellers opened its doors 60 years ago in 1966, the same year England lifted the World Cup, when Mike and Anne Guest launched their first shop under the name Michael Philips at 23 Saturday Market. This month it’s celebrating six decades of craftsmanship, community service and family tradition.
Over the years, the business expanded into 24 and 25 Saturday Market, becoming a cherished fixture in the heart of the town, and in other branches opened across East Yorkshire. The Guest’s children, Philip and Karen, joined the business around 46 years ago. They eventually took over the reins and the name evolved into Guest & Philips to reflect the family legacy.
Karen Guest is a fully qualified diamond and gemstone specialist and leads the antique and pre‑loved jewellery department. Her brother Philip leads the modern jewellery and watch collection.
Karen said: “It’s a privilege to keep this family business thriving together with my brother Philip. There has been remarkable growth through six decades, enduring many challenges from power cuts to financial crashes; conflicts at home and abroad; armed robbery, plus, the massive impact of the Covid crisis a few years ago.
“It’s very rewarding to serve our loyal customers. Philip and I are now selling to a third generation of families. Many are looking for unique pieces from our rare in‑house jewellers who can help with everything from ring sizing to creating one‑off designs.”
The business has also grown a healthy online presence, spurred on partly during Covid, with guestandphilips.co.uk serving customers across the country and occasionally overseas.
Philip Guest added: “It’s so rare to see a family business trading after 60 years, especially with increasing pressures on overheads, exacerbated in so many exceptional increased costs. These are tough times in so many trades. Interestingly, some of the same drivers have seen a massive growth in customers trading in gold, silver and other precious metals, as recent global conflicts have driven up international prices to record levels.
“On the other hand, it’s heartwarming to see so many customers we’ve grown to know over the years celebrating with us. We’re there for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, births and special celebrations and commemorations. Recent social media tributes have highlighted just how deeply rooted the business is in local memory, including customers reminiscing about buying their wedding rings from my parents shortly after they opened the shop in Beverley.”
Part of the premises were originally the White Swan Inn and its iconic carving still hangs proudly outside where celebratory ’60 years’ signage has just been unveiled to mark this significant milestone for the Guest family.
Now the premises pulls long-standing loyal customers rather than pints – serving generations who have marked their own family milestones with pieces of jewellery, timepieces and other gifts.
Community commitment
Karen and Philip have continued the family tradition of supporting community and civic life in Beverley and East Yorkshire.
Founder Mike Guest served as a county councillor, chaired the Chamber of Trade, and received an MBE for his community work. Sadly, Mike died at the age of 82 in 2017 when hundreds of mourners brought the town to a standstill for his funeral. Obituaries described him as “a town champion who loved the area and its people.”
Co-founder and wife Anne Guest is still a regular visitor to the Beverley shop but leaves the running of the business in the capable hands of her children.
Philip and Karen Guest have also chaired the Chamber of Trade and many other organisations. Karen Guest has been a charity trustee and remains heavily involved in community initiatives and was a governor at East Riding College.
Today, Guest and Philips offer an extensive range of numerous high-profile brands spanning modern and antique jewellery, watches and gifts, while preserving its hallmark personal service. The business also operates a second shop in Pocklington, located in the town marketplace, which has been a jewellery shop since the 1840s.
Karen added: “Both shops are very well loved by their local communities. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary the family looks forward to continuing its tradition of quality, trust and service for generations to come.”
Photo Guest & Philips 60th Anniversary brother and sister Philip and Karen Guest pictured in front of their original shop in Saturday Market Beverley
Photo c/o - Claire Levy
