1 week Ago By [email protected] (Lauren Davidson)
An iconic jewellers with a rich history of 154 years on Grimsby 's Victoria Street will soon be closing its doors for the very last time. Jonathan Hewitt, the great-grandson of G. Hewitt & Son founder George Hewitt, began working at the shop at the age of 16.
In recent years, he was joined by daughter Christina as Head of Operations, making the duo the fifth generation to source and sell fine jewellery and timepieces to the people of Grimsby. But after being with the business for 50 years, Jonathan has made the decision to retire and close the shop for good. He said: “We’ve had an astonishing run, 154 years is not a bad innings, is it? We were one of the first Rolex retailers in the UK, with our records showing Rolex sales as early as 1919.
Fast forward to 2011 and G. Hewitt & Son briefly enjoyed one of the largest Rolex showrooms in the country. “It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of, and also such an integral piece of Grimsby’s High Street history, but it is the right time for us to close the doors, knowing we are going out on a high.
" Jonathan and his daughter Christina (Image: Roxane Nichols PR) Jonathan's great-grandfather, George Hewitt, was a local farmer and renowned horseman with a keen interest in clocks and pocket watches, working as a trained repairer when he established the shop in 1871 at 80 Victoria Street. He was so well-respected in the industry that it was rumoured he met Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex and Tudor watches. Jonathan has two Rolex watches dating from 1919 and 1933 that both bear Rolex and G.
Hewitt & Son on the dial. On the eve of the Second World War in 1939, the retailer moved up the street to bigger premises at 10 Victoria Street. At the time, two of Jonathan’s uncles went to war, one joining the RAF and the other the Royal Marines, leaving Jonathan’s father Arthur, the youngest of the boys, to help run the business with his mother who was left in charge due to her husband’s ill health.
The senior team at G. Hewitt & Sons (Image: Roxane Nichols PR) Jonathan continued: “We’ve been fortunate to have an amazing team that’s played a crucial role in our success over the years. Several members of our current team of six have been with this family business for decades, and they’ve truly become family to us.
"Our store manager, Peter Booker FGA, has been with us for almost 40 years and is a qualified Gemologist, a Fellow of the Gemmological Society. Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Grimsby with our free newsletter “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team, both past and present, as well as to our loyal customers who have made it a joy to serve over the years.” To mark the closure, the jewellers will be having a never-before-seen sale with savings of 50% on all jewellery, including branded jewellery and silver pieces.
Shoppers will also enjoy 30% off Bremont watches and 25% reductions on Tudor watches. The sale will start at 10am on Saturday, April 26..
