A major retailer has opened a 'first of its kind' store in Glasgow.

Laings, which is a luxury family jeweller, has opened its official watch service centre in the city centre.

The state-of-the-art centre, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, has been delivered through a £1.1million outlay.

It comes as part of a wider £5million programme of works by the company, which also includes the complete design and fit out of a brand new, multi-floor flagship store due to open later this year and full refurbishment of its head office, all located within the iconic Rowan House building on Buchanan Street.

The new 1,500-square-foot store features a private reception area and a workshop that will provide customers with a 'modern, purpose-built destination' for all their watch servicing requirements.

Luxury watches including Rolex, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer, Longines and OMEGA can all be serviced on-site in the new Glasgow centre.

Under the management of Serena Gough, Service Director at Laings, the store has space for 11 watchmakers, three technicians, three polishers and a final quality control technician.

The team will be responsible for carrying out complete servicing, maintenance services, refurbishment and adjustments to the high-quality watches Laings works with.

Stuart McDowell, Managing Director of Laings, said: “This is a truly pivotal time for us as a business.

"The launch of our pioneering UK service centre marks the latest step in a proud journey of delivering the highest levels of skilled craftsmanship and underpins our drive for excellence in client servicing and care across our operations.

“It is a reflection of our continued commitment to invest in our people, to breathing new life into the ancient craft of horology and to securing its future for generations to come.” 

Serena Gough added: “When Laings was founded in 1840, it was a company based on the skills of clockmaking, watchmaking and goldsmithing. 

"In the present day, we are continuing to invest in the skills, talent, passions and expertise that shape those crafts, housed within a collaborative and innovative environment.

“Aside from being the largest service centre owned by an independent jeweller in the UK and the first in Scotland, it is a privilege to work alongside our incredibly talented team, who are all focused on delivering excellence in both the work that they do and the precious timepieces that they are preserving.”