Family business announces closure after 188 years

A local jewellers has announced its closure after a 188 year legacy.

G H Corlett was a family business established in 1835, which has sold jewellery, watches, clocks and fine goods for seven generations. 

The Corlett family has made the decision to close its doors due to the impact of the pandemic along with the ‘ongoing decline of the high street’ and rise in online shopping.

The shop will close on December 23, with queries and orders tended to until this date.

Gary Corlett, Managing Director of G H Corlett, said: ‘We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our loyal customers and partners over the years, it’s thanks to your support that we were able to do what we loved doing for so many years. We’re sad to be another local business closing down, but we leave with a legacy we were truly proud of.’ 

Pauline Corlett, Company Secretary and Gary’s wife, added: ‘It’s remarkable to think about the history that’s happened during the time we’ve operated... the beginning and end Queen Victoria’s reign – and in fact 5 kings and queens since - the invention of the telephone, to two world wars and lots more! The world has changed a lot since we opened.’