A JEWELLERS which has been a fixture of the town centre for 30 years is closing for good due to ‘declining footfall’.

Claybrooks Jewellers, the owners of Farrens Jewellers, in Pelhams Lane, Colchester, has announced the shop will close once its remaining stock has been sold at heavily discounted prices.

Business bosses have decided not to renew the premises’ lease when it expires due to difficult trading conditions in the town centre.

Stephen Cohen, a director of Claybrooks Jewellers, said: “Business has been pretty poor there in recent years and like for many retailers things have got worse.

“Due to the end of the lease coming up it became an opportunity for us to close the shop.

“We are no different to any other retailers on the high street, the main thing which has affected us has been the decline in footfall. It has declined dramatically.

“Our shop is down a side road and it used to be a popular cut through but now of days there is not the footfall to sustain things.”

The leftover stock, including gold, silver and diamond pieces, is being sold in an “everything must go” sale which started on Saturday.

Prices have been dropped on all items by 50 per cent.

Mr Cohen said: “There is not anything particularly wrong with the shop it is just people are not visiting.

“Whether it is the internet, or the economy generally, it is tough.

“The last five years particularly have been difficult.

“It was a very hard decision but it does not make financial sense for us to renew the lease.

“We are very upset that we have had to take this decision and it is not a reflection on the town itself, it is general retail market at the moment.”

Staff have been told they are at risk of redundancy, however bosses are exploring whether they can be moved to other locations.

Sam Good, manager of Our Colchester Business Improvement District, said: "It is very sad to see any business closing, especially one who has been part of the town centre fabric for 30 years.

"The national retail landscape is changing dramatically and the BID is working closely with key stakeholders including Colchester Borough Council to respond at a local level and also to raise awareness of the Colchester retail and leisure offer to as wide an audience as possible."

Visit farrensjewellers.co.uk.