G. J. Jamieson Jewellers on Wellington High Street will close this month, bringing an over century old family business to an end.

The owner of the shop, 70-year old Graham Jamieson, trained as an apprentice jeweller in Hatton Garden in the late 60's. He was amongst the fourth generation of jewellers in his family after his great grandfather started the business in 1921.

A picture of Graham's great grandfather who started the Jamieson jewellery business in 1921
A picture of Graham's great grandfather who started the Jamieson jewellery business in 1921 (Tindle)

Graham said: "We’ve had a family business since 1921, it’s fairly old. It was my great grandfather that started the jewellery business in Essex and then my father took the shop over. My brother had a jewellery shop in Torquay and they all retired and it was left to me really, the end of the line."

Recalling his time as a young apprentice Graham said: "I did an apprenticeship in Hatton in the late 60s so that’s where I started as a jeweller. Then repairs just came naturally to me, I worked in my father’s shop and brother’s shop doing repairs.

I enjoyed being an apprentice. The little jokes they play, as a 16 year old they sent me out to get a magnet that picks up gold. I was born in Essex, and commuted from Romford up to the Barbican every day. That was a pain."

G. J. Jamieson will close, bringing an end to the over one century old family business
G. J. Jamieson will close, bringing an end to the over one century old family business (Tindle)

The family business came to Wellington 15 years ago and was first based in Lancer Court. Graham upsized when he took over the High Street shop in 2008.

Now the store is closing - not because the business isn't doing well - but because Graham is ready to retire. He said: "It’s an excellent business and it’s a shame really. I need to retire I’ve been working since I was 16 and I am 70 next week. We’ve been trying to sell the business for a couple of years but have had no offers even though the business is really good, it will be a shame that this wont be a jewellers when we go."

Lorna Rayfield, the store manager, has been working at G. J. Jamieson since the first of the Lancer Court days. She said: "I've been here for 15 years, we were friends before. I didn't know anything about jewellery before but I know lots now.

"I'll be very sad to see it go. I'll miss the customers, we've got really lovely customers. Sometimes they come in to bring us sweets and chocolates."

As well as selling jewellery the High Street store also carries out repairs. There are over 2 boxes of unclaimed repaired jewellery in the shop, with some items having been there for over 2 years.

Graham said: "If people think they've got a repair in here they'll have to come and get it. Some have been left here for over 2 years."

Any items that go unclaimed will be donated to charity.

Graham and his team want to thank all their 'amazing' customers for their support throughout the years.