Business Spotlight - Rigga Repairs
Richard honed his skills at the British Horological Institute and worked for a local jeweller, gaining invaluable experience over the last two decades with luxury brands such as Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer, and Breitling. Richard's expertise spans repairing watches valued between £1,000 and £1 million.
Despite his passion for horology, Richard often had to turn customers away due to the age, brand, or condition of their timepieces. Determined to find a better solution, he launched Rigga Repairs, with a grant and business support made possible through the North East Combined Authority and UK Shared Prosperity Fund. His goal is to provide a service for those with valuable or sentimental watches that were otherwise deemed unfit for repair by high street jewellers.
Richard said: "Setting up on my own allows me to help people with watches or clocks they value but have nowhere to take. Many stores could fix these watches but don't see it as economical. We see value in every timepiece, and that's what sets us apart."
Operating from a hybrid office and workshop located at Blaydon Business Centre , Rigga Repairs services a wide range of watches, valued from as little £5 to £5 million, attracting customers from as far as Dubai and Canada.
Since opening, Rigga Repairs has averaged a repair per day, highlighting the business's early success. Richard credits his achievements to the free start-up advice and support he received through the Enterprising North programme in Gateshead, which is funded by the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. Richard said. "The Enterprising North programme helps those with a desire to start their own business, and I'm a great example of how it enables people to take the leap into self-employment."
Rigga Repairs exemplifies how dedicated business support can help passionate entrepreneurs succeed, turning a lifelong hobby into a thriving business that values every timepiece and meets the needs of customers worldwide.
If you're interested in finding out more about starting a business in Gateshead, our team would be more than happy to help.
