High street jeweller to shut after 147 years
A jewellers is set to shut its doors for the final time after almost 150 years in business.
The owner of Salloways in Lichfield's Bore Street has announced plans to retire and close the store for good.
Salloways Jewellers was established in 1871 by clockmaker John Salloway and has been passed down through four generations.
When John Salloway passed away in 1900, the business was left to his brother William Salloway and wife Harriet.
Harriet continued to run the shop and shifted the focus to jewellery and silver, ensuring its longevity for many years to come.
Following a distinguished military career, William’s son, decorated war veteran Frank Salloway took over the business in 1922 and eventually passed the mantle to his son John Salloway.
John became a well-known figure in the Lichfield business community as well as a respected member of the jewellery and gemmology trades, travelling the world with his wife Mary in search of rare, precious gemstones.
Current owner, gemmologist Nigel Salloway is the son of John and Mary and joined the company full time in 1984.
Nigel said: “I was brought up with the business and I worked alongside my father and mother for over 35 years. We made so many friends; valued customers who have come to us over generations. I will really miss those interactions.
“My mother and father instilled in me, their passion for the business. If it was ever quiet in the shop, my father would get one of the rare gemstones out of his collection and quiz us about what it was!
"Even after his retirement, every day my father would come into the store and find out what we had sold; jewellery was his life.
“It’s been a tough conclusion to draw. Salloways has been part of my life, man and boy; its going to be a very sad day when we finally close the doors.
"We are looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to the closing down sale and offering the people of Lichfield a final opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of jewellery from us.”
A closing down sale will begin on December 1 at 10am. All jewellery will be included in the sale and discounted by 50 per cent.
