A Bradford store which is backing the Telegraph & Argus Bradford's Best event this week is the jewel in the crown of the Herbert Brown group.

Despite the city's decline as a shopping centre, the Ivegate store of the Herbert Brown chain is top of the firm's sales league and pawnbrokers division and is looking to expand.

The firm is one of a number in the district supporting Thursday's Bradford's Best glitzy gala night dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel. It has provided hundreds of small gift boxes which will be given out with a gift, provided by the T&A, inside for guests.

The black-tie dinner will see T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke hand out 11 awards to individuals and groups nominated by readers and judged Bradford's Best.

Much of the success of the store, which doubled in size three years ago, is down to the reputation of the former Arensburg jewellery store which was taken over by Herbert Brown eight years ago.

The store, which is managed by Su Hall, started as Arensburgs from 1840 - a firm which started in Manchester Road and was in Ivegate for many years.

With eight staff, the store is the biggest in the 15-strong Henry Brown group, and is looking at ways to grow even bigger.

Su Hall said: "We are the best store in the group partly because of the reputation of Arensburgs which is well-known in the area for providing good-quality new, second-hand and antique jewellery.

"We are part of the Herbert Brown group and provide all the services the firm offers, but the reputation of Arensburgs lives on and people come here from all over the place because their relatives have recommended Arensburgs down the years.

"There must be hundreds of people in the Bradford area who have bought their wedding and engagement rings from Arensburgs who still come to us.

"This is because there are people working here who worked for Arensburgs.

"We are looking at ways of expanding even further because we are such a successful shop.

"There are still a number of good shops left in Bradford even though, generally, the city centre has declined," Su added.

The family business was started in Leeds more than 160 years ago by Herbert John Brown and is still in the family.

The firm is still run by a Herbert Brown - great, great grandson of the founder - and his four sons Simon, Michael, Christopher and Robert.

Christopher Brown, the firm's marketing director, said: "Herbert Brown's are happy to support the Telegraph & Argus with their efforts to boost Bradford's business."

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