Watts Jewellers in Derby to close its doors 

Derby-based jewellery shop, Watts Jewellers, is set to close its doors for good after almost 165 years of trading in the area. 

The shop, which first began trading in 1858, will reportedly hold a final sale on Saturday (12 November) ahead of the store’s closure, according to the current owner Glyn Smoothy. 

The BBC reports that the shop was first founded by William Edward Watts in the Cathedral Quarter. At that time, it was originally specialised in producing pocket watches and time-keeping equipment for sailors. 

Smoothy told the BBC: “The closure comes with a great degree of sadness. It’s purely down to my desire to retire coinciding with the end of our business lease, so the time just seems right.

“I will close the doors for the final time with a lot of happy memories. It’s been a pleasure to see families come in over the years, and we have been able to support them in making a special purchase to celebrate key parts of their lives; engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, children arriving.”

He added: “The past 45 years have flown by in many respects, and I have made so many friends. I really do love the business.”