The owner of a Mansfield jewellers which has been trading in the town for nearly 230 years says it will be a 'sad day' when the shop closes for the final time. Martin Wilkinson, based on Queen Street, has a history in Mansfield dating back to 1794.
Andrew Campin, its current owner, has worked for the business since 1968 but with his three children all being established in their own careers, he says there is no one to succeed him and he has taken the decision to close the shop. A closing down sale will soon be taking place, during which all jewellery will be reduced by 50%.
Mr Campin said: "Closing the store has not been a decision I have taken lightly. Martin Wilkinson has a rich 228-year history in the town and has survived through some difficult times, including two World Wars, which is a considerable achievement, but the time is right for me to retire.
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"With my three children all established in their own careers, and no one to succeed me, closing the shop seems to be the most sensible option. I started work in the jewellery industry over 60 years ago and it will be a sad day when I close the family business for the final time."
Martin Wilkinson first began trading as Coral, before the jeweller Martin Wilkinson purchased it in the 1800s and changed the business name to reflect that of his already established business in Newark. The shop went through several owners following Mr Wilkinson's departure and the late 1930s saw Edgar William Campin, Andrew's father, take on the business.
Edgar Campin (known as Bill) was a skilled watch repairer and to help with the war effort during the Second World War, he got a contract with the Ministry of Defence to repair watches for bomber and fighter aircrews. Mr Campin senior would repair twenty watches a week and when the war was over, the business was rewarded with an official notification declaring it to be England's best repairer of watches.
Andrew Campin served a jewellery apprenticeship before helping his father at Martin Wilkinson after he fell ill. The business has been based at its current home on Queen Street since 1974.
The closing down sale will start at 10am on Saturday (December 3), with all jewellery being included in the 50% reduction. Items will be sold on a first come, first served basis and the sale will last until all the stock has been purchased.
Andrew Campin added: "We intend to go out with a bang and have planned a sparkling closing down sale as a farewell to our customers which will see all our jewellery reduced by 50%. This will give clients old and new a final chance to invest in a piece of Martin Wilkinson jewellery and take home an amazing bargain in time for Christmas.
"It has been an incredible privilege to carve out my career, meet generations of wonderful customers and help the people of Mansfield choose significant pieces of jewellery that will be passed down through their families. In that way I feel that Martin Wilkinson will live on for many years to come."
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