Derbyshire: Family–owned cavern unveils expansion plan

A family–owned cavern has unveiled plans to expand the business.
Three generations from Treak Cliff Cavern, Elisabeth Turner her mother Vicky Turner and Grandfather Peter Harrison open the new shop and silversmith workshop in Castleton.Three generations from Treak Cliff Cavern, Elisabeth Turner her mother Vicky Turner and Grandfather Peter Harrison open the new shop and silversmith workshop in Castleton.
Three generations from Treak Cliff Cavern, Elisabeth Turner her mother Vicky Turner and Grandfather Peter Harrison open the new shop and silversmith workshop in Castleton.

Treak Cliff Cavern, in Castleton, is expanding with the opening of a new shop and silversmiths workshop.

Last year a lost vein of Blue John stone was discovered in the cavern.

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Treak Cliff Cavern’s new shop in Castleton, called ‘Silver & Stone’, will sell Blue John stone jewellery, specimens and ornaments as well as rocks, minerals and crystals from around the world.

Silver & Stone will house the silversmith workshops for Elisabeth Turner, a fourth generation member of the family who have managed Treak Cliff Cavern since 1945.

She said: “Blue John stone runs in my veins, my earliest memories are of being at the cavern and watching my grandfather Peter Harrison in the workshop. I studied jewellery design at Chesterfield College and at the weekends and during the holidays I would be learning the art of cutting and polishing Blue John Stone from my grandfather. Every piece of Blue John stone is unique, the banding of blue, purple, yellow and white within the stone can be cut in different ways to produce beautiful designs.

“Visitors to the new ‘Silver and Stone’ workshop, will be able to choose from a range of silver jewellery, then pick their own piece of Blue John Stone. We will set it for them while they wait, so they will be able to leave with a truly unique piece of Blue John Stone jewellery that they have had a hand in designing.”

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The new Castleton shop will also house Treak Cliff Cavern’s expanding online business.

Vick Turner, owner of Treak Cliff Cavern, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding the business. Having a permanent presence in Castleton will complement the gift shop at the show cave and enable us to expand our online sales.”

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