Independent, specialist designer outlet jewellery chain Chapelle was sold to investment firm and owner of the HMV entertainment retail group, Hilco Capital in a deal managed and initiated by Smith Cooper.

Chapelle Jewellery, which operates 24 stores in designer outlet villages and a successful ecommerce website, is the largest jewellery retailer specialising in selling end of season jewellery and watches at discounted prices.

Smith Cooper’s Corporate Finance team members John Farnsworth and David Crump acted as lead advisers to Paul and Margaret Mortimer, founders of Chapelle Jewellery. Tax advice was provided by Natasha Smith, Partner at Smith Cooper.

John Farnsworth commented: “This transaction is a significant milestone for Chapelle Jewellery, which comes after a long and successful period of ownership. The sale to Hilco Capital and the opportunities it will generate will position the business for many more years of growth. We’re delighted that Paul and Margaret engaged us to assist them in the sale of their business.”

Following the sale of the business, Paul and Margaret Mortimer will maintain operational control of Chapelle, which they have been building for the last 20 years.

Paul Mortimer commented: “Both Margaret and I are proud to have been the owners of Chapelle Jewellery for the last twenty years. We’re thoroughly looking forward to working with the Hilco team to develop the business even further. We cannot under-state the regard which we have come to have for the teams advising us throughout the sale process. Professional, supportive, high quality, aware, focussed – in fact there are so many superlatives I could use.”

Completed:
Jul 15

Smith Cooper Team
John Farnsworth
David Crump

Experts that advised on this deal

David Crump

Corporate Finance Director

Derby