A new watch repair shop has opened its doors in Knaresborough.
Watchserve has opened on Knaresborough High Street and specialises in watch servicing and repairs.
Owner of the store Martyn Marrocco is from Malton and has owned a watch repair business for the past 15 years.
His wife, Wendy, owns VB treatments, an aesthetic clinic also on Knaresborough High Street.
Mr Marroco said:
“I was already In Knaresborough a lot with my wife and I have wanted to open an old-fashioned watch makers shop for a long time. So, when I saw the sign go up, I bought it the next day.
“I chose Knaresborough because it is a lovely historic town. It is a busy traditional market town, and we chose the location carefully and I waited until something became available.”
He has been refurbishing the store for the past five weeks with a specific focus on keeping the character of the old building. The shop, 72 High Street, has previously been a hairdressers, a beauty clinic, and a tailors.
Mr Marroco began his interest in watches at a young age, when he became fascinated with the mechanical works of clocks.
Martyn Marroco at work repairing watches
He said:
“I have been interested in watches forever, I got into it when I was very young. I was interested in watches and cars, as a lot of men are, I just got interested in the mechanics of things.”
From there Mr Marroco qualified and opened his own business working entirely from home. He also has three sales cabinets in antique centres, in Knaresborough, York, and Lincolnshire.
He said:
“Many jewellers will send a watch off to be fixed and that is what I do, I offer services and repairs. I often get sent watches a regular jeweller doesn’t want to do because it is high value or a detailed job, like a Rolex. My work comes from jewellers in other towns so I could work from home or anywhere, but it is nice to have a high street presence.
“There has been a greater interest locally than I imagined originally. This is the first time I have been available to the public and everyone has given me a fantastic welcome. People have said it is unusual but they all think it is good to have a traditional shop on the High Street.”
Knaresborough and District Chamber released a statement on social media, in support of Watchserve, which said:
“A warm Knaresborough welcome to Watchserve who have opened their watch servicing and repair business on the High Street today. You can find them opposite the Pop Up shop.”
The Knaresborough Business Collective offered a similar welcome. They said:
“Welcome to Knaresborough High Street Watchserve, good luck and great job on the lovely shop. I know we say it all the time but there is such a variety of fantastic shops in Knaresborough.”
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