Community gem of a jewellers closes after 50 years

A Rotherham jeweller which has been a fixture in the town centre for half a century is closing its doors for the final time.

Ron Smith, 67, is retiring from H. Smith Jewellers, originally opened by his father in the summer of 1975.

Mr Smith said he thought he would be "stoic" on Wednesday, the final day of trading.

"You get to a certain age, and think about these things. It's not emotional at all, it's just one of those things. The time is right," he said.

The family business was founded by Hubert Smith, who had been repairing watches in his spare time while serving for 20 years with the police.

He took the vacant premises on Wellgate after retiring from the force.

Ron joined his father full-time in 1980 and had seen the business grow over the years - including being joined by wife Diane, 63.

"We expanded into jewellery, selling and repairing it, and in the 80s they were queuing around the block for ear piercings. We were the hot ticket for that," he recalled.

The loyalty of the regular customers had been the biggest surprise for Ron

"Forty years ago I never thought of myself as someone who could talk to people. I was the fixer-upper guy behind the scenes, mending watches and jewellery."

Among the steady flow of well-wishers in the final week was Angela Hodgson, who moved to Rotherham eight years ago and became friends with Ron and Diane.

She regularly brought biscuits in for the staff and popped in to buy something every month.

"Why shouldn't I spoil myself, I've worked hard all my life, it's my own treat" she said

"When you get something here you know you've got a quality piece, I love my jewellery. I hate to think how much I've bought over the years, rings, neck chains, all sorts."

Pat Bourne had also been a loyal shopper for decades after Hubert altered her husband's wedding ring.

"There's always a friendly face here, its never changed, you just don't get customer service like this anymore so I wanted to make the effort to come say cheerio," she said.

Although the shop and flat above is now up for sale, Ron won't be giving completely on repairs.

"I'll do bits and bobs from my workshop in the garden. I like to keep tinkering" he said.

A family holiday in Devon is also on the cards and a certain musical instrument will also be dusted down in retirement.

"I have a keyboard too that I'd like to pick up. I still have the urge to learn, I like a bit of ELO so maybe I'll do my Jeff Lynn impression," he laughed.

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