Cheadle Watchmaker Retires After Decades of Craftsmanship

Ken Riley of Rileys Watchmakers and Jewellers by the Market Cross on the High Street is retiring this month. We caught up with Ken just before he closed the doors permanently following 4 decades of serving the people of Cheadle. He's seen some changes over the years we chatted with him about few of his special memories.

He describes how the first watchmakers’ shop in the town was run by a Mr. Birch, roughly where the Samaritans shop is today. Ken's first shop was behind the market square, which used to be a tavern (mentioned in our recent article from town historian Mike Plant). Ken told us that the store smelled of beer for some time. This is because the room on the right was used as the beer store for thirsty customers.

The tavern lost its license when the market building we have today was build because it became hidden from view and local police found it no longer suitable for a licensed premises. The beer store was then used by the fruit and veg man at the time also for storage. Ken later rented the back room and the upstairs, which he turned into a clock museum. He stayed there for 13 years.

He's been in his present shop for 22 years and will be missed by many residents of Cheadle for his amazing skills as a watchmaker and jeweller and the lovely items he offered for sale.

I shall remember him for his fine work and skill in restoring an antique watch belonging to a close family member and his heroic work in saving our market clock, which he rescued from the skip when zealous council workers were carrying out the refurbishment of the market and were throwing it in the skip.

We wish him a happy and long retirement!

Cheadle Watchmaker Retires After Decades of Craftsmanship - created 26th May 2026