Orkney jewellery designer, Alison Moore, has marked the completion of a business relocation from Dounby to Stromness with an official opening of her new premises.
Alison’s workshop and gallery, in the former Commercial Hotel in Victoria Street, were formally opened by Stromness Shopping Week queen, Leah Hamilton, as festivities for town’s annual gala event got underway on Monday (16 July).
“After operating a temporary shop in town for the past few weeks we’re delighted to now be properly up and running,” said Alison, who had been based in Dounby since she launched her jewellery business in 2011. “The Commercial Hotel is such a beautiful building – bright, airy and with lots of space too – so when the opportunity to rent it from Orkney Island Council arose, we really had to seize it. It’s been lots of work to get everything moved from Dounby, but we’re thrilled with the results.
“It allows us to fully showcase what we do across our jewellery collections, and it also gives me the chance to share my underwater photography and the homeware and gifts inspired by the images I’ve taken in the seas around Orkney. In addition, we’re going to be offering jewellery making classes for the first time, which is really exciting.”
Alison, who now lives in Stromness, added: “Of course, we’re all going to miss Dounby and we’re forever grateful to the community there for their support over the years, but we also hope to bring all of our existing local customers with us to Stromness, while introducing what we do to a whole new marketplace.
“We’ll also continue be to part of Orkney’s fantastic Creative Trail and look forward to welcoming visitors through the doors in Stromness to tell them our story and demonstrate our work. There are so many people to thank for making this move happen, including the council and my absolutely amazing team who I really couldn't be without.”
Visit the official Alison Moore Designs website.