Blackwell Jewellers to close after 51 years
BLACKWELL Jewellers are bidding farewell to the High Street after 51 years of trading.
The shop at Number 40 is run by Andrew and Lesley Blackwell, who are now ready to begin their retirement.
‘I started in 1968 in the Commercial Arcade and moved up the High Street 30 years ago,’ said Mr Blackwell.
‘I started off with a £1,500 loan from the bank and I was selling cufflinks and cheap watches.’
He said back when he first started, the shop would be open until 10pm three days a week.
Mr Blackwell said he had seen just how much tourism had declined over the years.
‘There used to be guest houses all along Victoria Road, so they would walk through Mill Street, that’s why Town’s so big,’ he said.
‘I’ve kept all my day books and in ‘68 in June, July and August we sold 1,500 watches.’
He remembered when the Sealink ferry would bring thousands of tourists to Guernsey from British Rail.
‘It made Guernsey exciting and busy,’ he said.
Mr Blackwell and his wife said they would miss the shop and the customers but that it was time to retire.
Although they have no particular plans for retirement, Mr Blackwell said he was looking forward to helping his son, Richard Blackwell of R. H. Plant Hire, by keeping the diggers spick and span.
‘We’ve made such friends out of customers, Guernsey’s been very kind.
‘One lady said “we just want to hug you”,’ said Mrs Blackwell.
The decision to close was a fairly recent one, made about five weeks ago but, although it may seem sad for another St Peter Port retailer to close its doors, the story of No. 40 High Street does not end here.
‘My sister [Joanne Taylor] is taking it up and she’s going to open a clothes, shoes and handbags shop.
‘The idea is that we will close at the end of the year, but if all the stock is gone it might be earlier, and she’s planning to open on 1 February,’ said Mr Blackwell.
Until then, the pair expect a busy time as they dive straight into a half-price sale from today.
The sale will also act as a reunion with loyal customers keen to come and say their farewells and old staff returning to help the Blackwells out.
