Festive Faces: Meet the owner of one of Northampton’s longest-standing jewellers of more than four decades
This week, the Chronicle & Echo is bringing you five features to meet the owners behind some of Northampton town centre’s innovative businesses as we count down to Christmas.
In collaboration with the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the aim of the Festive Faces campaign is to shed light on the passion that goes into running an independent and the variety on offer if you visit the heart of town.
With Christmas less than two weeks away, there is no better time to support the town’s businesses to sustain what is available as we approach 2026.
First up is Kathryn Ozlati, the owner of Saint Gyles Jewellers which has been open in St Giles’ Street for 43 years – and she has been involved since the very beginning.
Kathryn began as an assistant working one day a week and it was a gradual progression to managing the store for the six days it is open, which increases to seven at Christmas time.
Kathryn is joined by one of her daughters, making Saint Gyles Jewellers a family-run business, and the community is continually impressed by the range of services on offer.
It is a traditional jewellers selling engagement rings, pre-owned jewellery and watches, fashion brands, high-end and bespoke items. Bespoke jewellery makes up a big part of what they do.
The shop is home to an on-site workshop, provides insurance valuations, and launched Northampton’s jewellery repair centre – which undertakes same day repairs and prides itself on quick turnaround.
When asked what customers like most about the offering at Saint Gyles Jewellers, Kathryn told this newspaper: “The service and selection of new and pre-owned items. Customers target us because they have used us before, and know they are likely to find something different and of better quality.”
Kathryn believes the business goes the extra mile and it is the personal service in the homely environment that sets them apart. This includes the offer of a drink, mince pie and free gift wrapping during the festive season.
The owner was asked why she believes Northampton town centre and St Giles’ Street is the ideal location for a business like hers.
“It’s a beautiful part of the town,” said Kathryn. “There’s a lot of independents and we believe we are a pillar of the town. Independents need to be appreciated and supported far more than they are.
“Part of the battle is online shopping. People may not be familiar with high street shopping and we want to encourage them to come to town and experience that. It has a Christmassy welcome.”
Kathryn’s favourite thing about running a business in Northampton town centre is the “tremendous people” she and her team have met along the way – and the beauty of seeing customer stories from start to finish.
She said: “It could be an engagement or wedding ring, and it’s lovely to be part of the journey. We’ve done a lot more of that this year and 2025 has been our best year ever in our 43 years open.”
Kathryn was asked why residents should pay a visit to Saint Gyles Jewellers and the wider Northampton town centre in the run up to Christmas.
“We rely on sales and people coming in,” said Kathryn. “To have a personal service is completely different. People find shopping, particularly Christmas shopping, quite tedious and not a pleasure.
“When you come to a shop, and have a mince pie or mulled wine that we’re serving, it’s part of the build up to Christmas and what people should enjoy. It’s all part of the experience.”
Kathryn feels “very encouraged” going into 2026 as this year has been “fantastic and very busy” for the team. They have been committed to developing the store and hope to expand their same day repairs offering in the near future.
“We are evolving, streamlining and expanding our services and range of products, and 2025 has given us the encouragement to do that,” Kathryn concluded.