Our History

Allums was founded in 1942 when Dennis Allum started a small watch & clock repair business when Woodcock’s jewellers, for whom he worked, closed down. He invested his life savings of £27.00 completing most of the repairs in his garden shed. Peter Allum joined his father Dennis in 1952, and they opened their first retail shop in Shaftesbury.  Peter completed most of his repairs in the attic!  Providentially we have moved on quite considerably from these early years.

Business prospered and after a few years Peter Allum opened a second shop in Dorchester. Due to the success of the Dorchester store, John Sidaway, the manager was made was made a junior partner, and the name changed from Allum’s to Allum & Sidaway. Shops in Ringwood and Salisbury followed several years later. John Sidaway left the business in 1982, but the name stayed the same.

In 1988 Peter’s Grandson, Jason, joined the company and is now Managing Director. In 1997 a much larger site was purchased in Dorchester, and in 2006 a further business was acquired in Gillingham.

As a company we are very proud of our staff, and what we have achieved.  We have been twice winners of the prestigious Store Team of the Year award at the United Kingdom Jewellery Awards. We have also been finalists for Employer of the Year & Objects Retailer.

Our staff are passionate and dedicated to our customers. Our philosophy is and always has been to bring to our customers the highest quality merchandise, expertise and service, at the very best prices. We value our good name and reputation as an independent Fourth generation family run business, and believe that Dennis & Peter would be very proud at what has been achieved.