[2023] UKUT 153 (LC)

Warren James (Jewellers) Limited (‘Warren James’) was founded in 1979 by Ann Jones and John Coulter who remain sole owners and joint Managing Directors.  Mr Guy Lightowler, who is the Commercial Director and joined the company 20 years ago, gave evidence as a witness of fact.   His role and responsibilities encompass all commercial matters, but he is answerable to the Managing Directors and enjoys the benefit of their considerable retail experience. 

He described the company as being extremely successful with one of the strongest balance sheets and strength of covenant of any high street retailer.   He claimed that Warren James are the largest jeweller in the United Kingdom and the ‘most profitable by any measure’, but did not adduce any evidence in support of this statement. 

He put the success of the business down to hard work and a detailed knowledge of their products, shops, managerial employees, and every high street and shopping centre of any significance.  He also explained that the business centred on procedures and systems to achieve scale.   In retail parlance this ‘cookie cutter’ approach involved the standardisation of shop window displays as well as commonality of products and training.  The company also had a simplified management structure with no area managers.   Unlike some of the competition Warren James sold the same range of products in all locations and Mr Lightowler said that these various methodologies enabled the company to trade profitably in smaller towns where stores might otherwise not be viable.   At the hearing he explained that Warren James looked for locations where footfall was strong but rents were lower than the prime pitch.