Store to shut after 125 years
Jewellery shop Gadsbys, one of Bridgnorth's oldest family businesses, was closing down today after 125 years in the town. For more than a century a Shropshire jewellers has been at the centre of its community providing rings and fine jewellery to shoppers in a county town. But now Gadsbys, one of Bridgnorth's oldest family businesses, is calling time on its long 125-year relationship with the historic market town, as the jewellers was due to close its High Street store today. The shop has been run by Simon and Geraldine Green for the last 25 years, but will now close as the couple are retiring. Mr Green said: "I don't know what's going to happen to the premises but it has been bought by property developer SEP properties and they have also bought the vacant former Portman Building Society next door." Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
For more than a century a Shropshire jewellers has been at the centre of its community providing rings and fine jewellery to shoppers in a county town.
But now Gadsbys, one of Bridgnorth's oldest family businesses, is calling time on its long 125-year relationship with the historic market town, as the jewellers was due to close its High Street store today.
The shop has been run by Simon and Geraldine Green for the last 25 years, but will now close as the couple are retiring.
Mr Green said: "Myself and my wife have really enjoyed the last 25 years at Gadsbys jewellers in High Street and we would like to thank all our loyal customers.
"It will be a sad day when we close the door for the last time. I know we will miss not being in Bridgnorth anymore but we're looking forward to our retirement.
"In our retirement we will be doing various things that we haven't had time to do in the past because of working in the shop.
"I hope to play more golf, do more gardening, play tennis and take more holidays.
"Today we will really just be saying goodbye to a few people who have said they will come in. The shop will be open for a normal day.
"I don't know what's going to happen to the premises but it has been bought by property developer SEP properties and they have also bought the vacant former Portman Building Society next door."
The shop has been running a retirement sale since Christmas to clear out all of the remaining stock.
Mr Green added: "We've sold much more than I thought we would. We have very little left but what is left will go to auction."
Gadsbys was first opened in 1884 by Mr W T Gadsby and was passed on to the late Alderman Jack Bowers before being sold to Walter Jackson and Ann Evans.
The shop sold items ranging from £10 up to around £5,000 including 9ct and 18ct gold jewellery, diamond set jewellery, silver jewellery, second-hand and antique jewellery, watches, silverware and other gift items.
Mr Green was also chairman of Bridgnorth Shop Watch, a scheme set up to prevent shoplifting and crime in the town.
Simon and Geraldine Green mark their retirement.
Gadsbys as it looks today. The property has been sold to developers.
Simon and Geraldine Green's retirement ends
a shopping era in Bridgnorth.
Simon Green with a range of amber products, in which he specialises.
Bridgnorth High Street in 1897. Gadsbys is on the left of the picture.
