Mike Shorer is a seventh-generation jeweller whose craftsmanship has adorned celebrities and award ceremonies alike. Now based in Newhaven, he brings his creativity and entrepreneurial drive to our town – not only through his jewellery business, but also as President of the Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, championing growth in our community.
We caught up with him to find out more…
Your family has been in the jewellery trade for over 250 years. How does that legacy influence your work today?
It’s a huge part of everything I do. I was raised to treat every client like royalty, whether they’re buying an engagement ring or a bespoke piece just for them. That legacy means the quality must be perfect. Every item I make is unique, commissioned and handmade from scratch.
You’ve worked with royalty, rock and roll legends, and film stars – but what’s the most meaningful piece you’ve ever made, and why?
It’s hard to pick just one. I’m always touched when someone asks me to create something deeply personal like a wedding ring or a piece containing cremation ashes – that’s a real honour. But from a professional point of view, being asked to create a replica of Princess Diana’s engagement ring (the one Dodi Fayed had intended to give her) for The Crown was very special. It was a three-month job I had to turn around in five weeks – and even though it was only on screen for 18 seconds, I was thrilled.
What inspired you to set up your business in Newhaven?
My journey started in London and then Essex, then my late wife and I moved to Seaford after meeting a couple on holiday in Crete who lived there. In 2009, we moved just along the coast to Newhaven. My wife spotted the house; it needed work but had the double garage I needed for a studio. Since then, I’ve absolutely loved being here. Newhaven is a wonderful place to be.
How important is the local community to your business — and how do you stay connected to it?
It’s essential. Word of mouth and Facebook have helped me grow a kind of local salesforce; I’ve probably got around 1,700 advocates now. Every client gets a couple of business cards, one for them and one for their best friend. I used to spend thousands on magazine advertising, but social media is far more effective. Every time I post a photo of an unusual commission, I’ll get two or three new enquiries.
Newhaven is often described as a place full of potential. What role do you think creativity and craftsmanship can play in the town’s future?
A huge one. Eight years ago, we put a call out for creatives to meet and talk about the town’s future – we expected 25 people and 108 turned up. It showed there’s real energy here. Creativity gets people talking and builds pride. Not everyone will like every piece of art, but that’s the point – it creates conversation and shifts perceptions. Newhaven is changing, and it’s the creative industries that can help lead that shift.
What advice would you give to a young creative thinking about setting up shop in Newhaven?
First – make sure it’s a business, not just a hobby. You must make a profit. The Chamber of Commerce can help with advice and connections, but it’s hard. You’ll work longer hours than you would for someone else, and for little money at first. But if it’s your passion, it feeds your soul. Young people are fearless – if they’re not afraid to ask for help and they’ve got drive, they’ll succeed. I love sharing the advice I’ve picked up over the years to help people shortcut some of the hurdles.
Jewellery is all about detail and storytelling. If you were to design a piece inspired by Newhaven, what would it look like?
If money were no object? I’d make a pendant. The rolling Downs would be represented by emeralds, the river winding through them in sapphires and the sea sparkling with diamonds and blue topaz. All set in yellow gold. We need to see the beauty in Newhaven, there’s so much if you look at it from the right angle. I always say: if you show children beautiful things from an early age, they’ll seek out beauty for the rest of their lives.
As President of Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, how is the Chamber helping Newhaven to grow and thrive as a business community?
There’s a real buzz around the Chamber at the moment. We’ve moved to a new venue, won a national networking award at Wembley and our Business Awards are growing – this year was the 20th anniversary, and we launched a new trophy I created for it. We promote businesses of all sizes and work closely with local authorities to make sure Newhaven’s voice is heard. It’s fantastic to see the town evolving.
What’s Newhaven’s best kept secret?
Our links with Vietnam. It sounds bizarre, but it all stems from Ho Chi Minh once being a pastry chef on the ferry here. Now we’ve built strong connections with the Vietnamese Embassy, there’s a sculpture of Ho Chi Minh in Newhaven Museum and a granite and gold dedication monolith in the Marina. We’re talking about trade links, manufacturing opportunities and a potential cultural exchange involving a Vietnamese artist creating something for the town. Who’d have thought?
What’s next for your business?
I’ve got two websites now – one for hand-crafted jewellery and trophies and one for historic pieces. I’m making trophies for global sports events, especially darts, and we’re planning to create replica trophies for fans to buy. I’ve also supplied nearly 300 pieces for productions like Gladiator 2, House of the Dragon, and The Crown. The film industry is booming, and I’m hoping to do even more in that space.
You’ve received support from the Newhaven Enterprise Zone — how has that helped?
It’s made a big difference. I received Low Carbon Fund grant that I used towards solar panels for my studio and some specialist tools I’d never have been able to afford otherwise. The funding is well spent – it helps small businesses like mine thrive.
Finally – if you had a say, how would you like to see NEZ funding used in the future?
I’d love to see us make better use of the water for sports like dragon boat racing. We could do with more restaurants along the riverside and a couple of decent hotels. That way, visitors from Dieppe and elsewhere might stay in Newhaven a while, rather than heading straight off. With public transport links and our proximity to Brighton and London, we could become a real hub – we just need to help people see what’s already here.
