A town centre jewellers is closing after 225 years.

Cornell & Sons in Gabriel's Hill, Maidstone, will finally shut its doors in the next few weeks after it gets rid of all its stock in a clearance sale.

The store, which opened in 1796, is shutting after owners Andrew Putley and Stewart Cook decided to retire.

It will be closed this week for a stock take before a massive 50% off clearance sale starts on Saturday, October 29.

Once everything is sold, the store will shut for good.

The jewellers' future was plunged into doubt in August after the building it's been in for more than a century was put on the market for £500,000.

It is a Grade-II listed building, located next to Atilla kebab house and Gem Antiques, and is in a “prominent position in the County Town of Kent”.

"It is a big loss for the town, and it will be a very emotional time..."

George Cornell started in the business as an apprentice and took over the store from the original owner, changing the name to G. Cornell and Sons.

Still in family ownership, in 1890 the shop was relocated to its current premises, where subsequent generations of Cornell jewellers traded and lived with their families above the recognisable premises.

During the Second World War the shop became a manufacturing centre for small parts required to make instruments for fighter planes.

After the war, in 1948, the Cornell family decided to retire and the business was sold to their apprentice, Mr Littlewood, who remained at the helm until the 1980s.

Current owners, Andrew Putley and Stewart Cook, took over the business in 2014 and both have longstanding links to the much-loved jewellers.

Straight out of school, Andrew took up an apprenticeship at the shop, and has remained in the business in a variety of roles for over 42 years.

Stewart started working at the jewellers on a Saturday in 1989 whilst still at school. He too transitioned into full-time employment after leaving school and continued in the business to the present day.

Mr Putley said: “The closure of the shop is a decision we have thought long and hard about. It is going to come as a shock, and I am sure that there will be a great deal of sadness, but for us it is the right time.

"Of course, it is a big loss for the town, and it will be a very emotional time. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful team of staff, our loyal customers and everyone who has supported the business over so many years."

The jewellers will be holding a 50% off sale this weekend.

Its most expensive jewellery item online being a Fope 18ct rose gold and diamond panorama necklace for £14,930.00.