Casey Lane, a 26-year-old jeweller, has turned her Newcastle city centre shop, Lanes & Co, into a thriving business and social media sensation, drawing customers from across the country. After a decade in the gold trade, including time in London's Hatton Garden, she invested all her savings into the premises and has grown the brand steadily.
From Hatton Garden to Newcastle city centre
Lane first developed an interest in gold at 16 and secured a job in Hatton Garden, London's historic diamond and jewellery quarter. She regularly travelled from her Newcastle home to the capital, and faced a choice between moving permanently or staying in the North East.
She chose to stay and opened Lanes & Co in the heart of Newcastle. The latest addition is an exclusive ground floor buying and selling lounge stocking sought-after designer bags, called the Bag Collective. The launch has increased attention on the shop, with social media videos watched by hundreds of thousands of people on Instagram and TikTok.
Luxury service with a personal touch
Lane said the decision to take on the premises in 2021 was rushed, but she wanted to create a luxury service in the city centre that mirrored what she saw in Hatton Garden. She explained that jewellers there were moving into spaces where customers could sit down and have coffee or champagne, something she felt was missing up north.
She acknowledged that selling gold or jewellery is not always positive, noting the "Ds - death, divorce, debt". Lane said people often sell due to inheritance or needing money, and she wanted to offer a caring, safe environment rather than a rushed transaction. She added that some customers choose to sell with her even if offered a higher price elsewhere, because they feel comfortable.
Building a brand for the future
Lanes & Co sells high-end jewellery, watches and gold, and has become a destination for designer bags, stocking brands including Chanel, YSL and Gucci. Customers can enjoy a glass of champagne while browsing the showroom or negotiating a sale.
Lane said she had been in the trade for seven years before starting Lanes & Co and wanted to be in charge of the service and experience. She used all her savings on the deposit for the premises, took on a house the same month, and had no job at the time. Her advice to other entrepreneurs is to do what is right for them, stay passionate, and be prepared for hard work, as building a successful business "takes blood, sweat and tears".
On future plans, Lane said she will never stop growing Lanes & Co, adding that the brand deserves to go as far as possible.
