Renowned Mansfield jeweller Martin Wilkinson is to close after trading in the town for almost 230 years.

A closing down sale will start at 10am, on 3rd December, with all jewellery reduced by 50%, including diamond rings, coloured stone pieces, gold, and silver jewellery.

Independent jewellers Martin Wilkinson, owned by Andrew Campin (pictured above), has a rich history dating to 1794. Originally named Coral, in the late 1800s jeweller Martin Wilkinson purchased the store and changed its name to match that of his established shop in Newark.

When he decided to relinquish ownership of the store sometime later, successive owners kept the recognised name.

Through many years the Martin Wilkinson store had several owners, including a local solicitor and a watch mender named Mr Dugdale.

In the late 1930s Edgar William Campin (known as Bill), a skilled watch repairer, took the reins, starting to establish his reputation not long before the second world war broke out.

To help with the war effort, Bill obtained a contract with the Ministry of Defence to repair watches for bomber and fighter aircrews. He would repair 20 watches a week and his hard work paid off  because when the war ended the business was rewarded with an official notification declaring it ‘the best watch repairers in England.’

In 1968 Bill Campin was joined by his son, Andrew, in the business. Andrew, who had served a jewellery apprenticeship and obtained his R.J. Diploma, returned to his hometown to help his father, who had fallen ill.

Bill made a full recovery, but that would be the start of a long and illustrious career for Andrew. He remains at the helm of Martin Wilkinson to this day and has spent more than 54 years successfully running his family concern.

The business had occupied four positions in Mansfield’s town centre, before settling on the current location of Queen Street in 1974, but Andrew said closing down seemed the most sensible option.

“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. 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.

“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.

“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. 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.”

The Martin Wilkinson closing down sale starts at 10am on Saturday 3rd December. All jewellery will be in the sale, with reductions of 50% across diamond rings, coloured stone jewellery, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. All pieces will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and the sale will last until all the stock is sold.

Martin Wilkinson is located at 16 Queen Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG9 1JN.