AN ICONIC high street jeweller that made history as one of the UK’s first Rolex retailers is closing its doors for good.
Shoppers have been left gutted as the beloved store, known for its glitzy window displays and long-standing legacy, prepares to shut up shop forever.
G. Hewitt & SonsJonathan Hewitt is retiring from his family business after a rich history of 154 years on Grimsby’s Victoria Street[/caption] GettyHe said they were one of the first Rolex retailers in the UK – with records showing Rolex sales as early as 1919[/caption]After an incredible 154 years on Victoria Street, Grimsby jewellers will be closing it’s doors.
Jonathan Hewitt, the great-grandson of G. Hewitt & Son founder George Hewitt, has made the decision to retire and close the shop for good.
He announced: “We’ve had an astonishing run, 154 years is not a bad innings, is it? We were one of the first Rolex retailers in the UK, with our records showing Rolex sales as early as 1919.
“Fast forward to 2011 and G. Hewitt & Son briefly enjoyed one of the largest Rolex showrooms in the country.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of, and also such an integral piece of Grimsby’s High Street history, but it is the right time for us to close the doors, knowing we are going out on a high.”
Jonathan first stepped behind the counter aged just 16 – and in true family tradition, daughter Christina later joined him as Head of Operations, making them the fifth generation to serve up sparkle and timeless treasures to the people of Grimsby.
Jonathan’s great-grandad, George Hewitt, kicked things off way back in 1871 – a local farmer with a knack for clocks and pocket watches who set up shop at 80 Victoria Street.
So respected was George, it’s even rumoured he rubbed shoulders with Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf himself.
In fact, Jonathan still owns two vintage Rolex watches from 1919 and 1933 – both stamped with the prestigious Rolex and G. Hewitt & Son names.
Fast forward to 1939, the eve of WWII, and the store shifted to swankier digs at 10 Victoria Street.
While two of Jonathan’s uncles signed up to serve – one in the RAF, the other in the Royal Marines – it was his dad Arthur, the youngest, who stayed behind to run the shop alongside his mum.
Jonathan added: “We’ve been fortunate to have an amazing team that’s played a crucial role in our success over the years.
“Several members of our current team of six have been with this family business for decades, and they’ve truly become family to us.
“Our store manager, Peter Booker FGA, has been with us for almost 40 years and is a qualified Gemologist, a Fellow of the Gemmological Society.
Why are retailers closing shops?
EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.
The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.
In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.
Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April 2025, will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.
The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.
Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.
Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Carpetright, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Paperchase, Ted Baker, The Body Shop, Topshop and Wilko to name a few.
What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.
They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team, both past and present, as well as to our loyal customers who have made it a joy to serve over the years.”
Now, as the curtain falls after 154 glittering years, the Grimsby jewellers is bowing out with a bang.
They are launching a once-in-a-lifetime sale with 50% off all jewellery, 30% off Bremont watches and 25% off Tudor timepieces.
The final farewell sale begins at 10am on Saturday, April 26.
A number of high street chains do appear to be struggling financially and have closed locations.
The Watches of Switzerland Group – based in Leicestershire – has confirmed it will close 16 showrooms across the country and that 40 people were expected to leave the business.
Where possible, affected staff at the company – which has 709 support service staff members – will be redeployed.
The company said its “priority [was] to support all affected colleagues”.
A statement from the Watches of Switzerland Group said: “We continually assess our operations to remain as efficient and productive as possible.
“Whilst we intend to continue growing our showroom estate organically and by acquisition, following a recent review, we have regrettably made the difficult decision to close 16 showrooms in the UK.
“We have also reviewed our support services to ensure we are operating in the most efficient and productive way to power our retail growth and are regrettably proposing that circa 40 roles will be at risk of redundancy.”
Similarly, Terence Lett Jewellers, located on the high street in Witney, Oxfordshire, has announced its decision to shut up shop.
And loyal customers of Jane Allen Jewellers in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales were left distraught to hear the update and have been mourning the imminent loss.
G. Hewitt & SonsJonathan’s great-grandad, George Hewitt, kicked things off way back in 1871[/caption] G. Hewitt & SonsJonathan’s daughter Christina later joined as Head of Operations, making them the fifth generation[/caption] The final farewell sale begins at 10am on Saturday, April 26G. Hewitt & Sons Read More Details
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