Story Highlight
– Lunn’s Jewellers is a finalist in British Business Awards 2026.
– Shortlisted for Family Business of the Year alongside major brands.
– Established in 1954, Lunn’s is Northern Ireland’s leading jeweller.
– Over £12 million invested in refurbishments and boutiques.
– Represents the importance of independent luxury retailers in the market.
Full Story
Lunn’s Jewellers has been recognised as a finalist in the upcoming British Business Awards 2026, signifying the rising prominence of luxury watch and jewellery retailers from regional areas in the UK.
The family-run establishment has been nominated in the Family Business of the Year category, competing with established names such as Warburtons, Albert Bartlett, and Taylors of Harrogate.
Established in 1954, Lunn’s has earned its reputation as the foremost jeweller in Northern Ireland, with prominent stores in Belfast’s Queen’s Arcade and Victoria Square, as well as Shipquay Street in Londonderry.
This accolade comes as the retailer enhances its footprint in the luxury watch market through extensive investments in single-brand boutiques and upscale retail spaces.
“It is a real honour to be recognised alongside such distinguished businesses,” remarked Suzanne Lunn, the marketing director. “Making the final is a wonderful reflection of the commitment of our whole team. Lunn’s has always been deeply personal to our family, and reaching this stage is something we are incredibly proud of.”
She further added, “National recognition is both a milestone and a measure of how far Lunn’s has come while staying true to the values on which it was built.”
Being shortlisted alongside renowned family-run enterprises highlights the enduring significance of independent luxury retailers amid a market that is becoming increasingly consolidated.
Currently, the business remains in the hands of the second and third generations of the Lunn family, with John Lunn serving as managing director, Suzanne Lunn as marketing director, and Peter Lunn, the chairman, actively involved in operations.
This family continuity has fostered strong relationships with prestigious Swiss watch brands, a key aspect of the retailer’s growth strategy.
Over the past few years, Lunn’s has committed more than £12 million towards renovations and new initiatives, which include the establishment of brand-specific boutiques in Belfast’s Queen’s Arcade. The introduction of the Tudor boutique in 2023 was particularly noteworthy, marking the brand’s inaugural standalone location in Ireland and underscoring Belfast’s increasing significance as a luxury watch retail hub.
The chairman of the judging panel, Alan Jope, commented, “The calibre of companies on the shortlist is extraordinary, and our role as judges is to uphold the highest standards to ensure that truly outstanding businesses are acknowledged. This year’s nominees, ranging from global innovators like AstraZeneca and Moderna to beloved brands such as Nando’s and Iceland, showcase firms that are genuinely shaping the future of the UK economy.”
Lunn’s selection underscores a broader industry trend where independent, family-operated retailers continue to be instrumental in brand distribution, customer experience, and sustainable market development within the luxury watch sector.
