Historic Black Country jewellers closing after 130 years
A family-run jewellery store is closing after more than 130 years on a high street due to falling sales.
T H Bakers, which opened in 1888, has announced it will be closing its store in Brierley Hill High Street.
The company, which owns 30 stores around the country, will still operate its other Black Country-based shops.
The Brierley Hill store was its first shop.
Paul Griffiths, a spokesman for the company, said: "I can confirm the store is closing, which we expect to happen in the coming weeks.
"The original date was February 17 to close but we are extending this.
"The reason for the store's closure is due to long term declining trade on the high street; to a point that after trading on the high street for 130 years – keeping the store open is no longer feasible for the business.
"However we are still trading in all of our other store areas – including Merry Hill, Stourbridge and Halesowen."
The company is looking at redeploying its staff who work there.
T H Baker was founded by Thomas Henry Baker, a watchmaker and jeweller who was from Calne in Wiltshire.
His great-grandson Alan Higgs became the managing director in the 80s, and his sons Philip and Andrew joined the business in 2000.
More than half of T H Baker's overall stores are franchises of Danish jewellery manufacturer Pandora. The firm also owns a Swarvoski franchise in Watford.
T H Baker celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2013 with special events and giving away £125,000 of jewellery.
In 2015, T H Baker refurbished its Merry Hill store, focusing on its diamond collection and watch brands.
Brierley Hill ward councillor Serena Craigie said: "It is sad to lose a long standing business in Brierley Hill. But our focus on High Street regeneration has always been very important to us.
"But as a High Street we are really up against fighting a battle with the internet."
Fellow ward councillor Rachel Harris said: "I am very disappointed that they are closing the store. It is not a shock to see them closing that store but it is disappointing as T H Baker is such as long-standing business on the High Street."
