A JEWELLER who has been a key figure on Spennymoor high street for 35 years is retiring.

John Welsh and his wife Melanie began trading from a kiosk in Parkwood Precinct when the weekly rent was just £4.

They then moved into the town’s indoor market before opening J Welsh and Sons Jewellers below Spennymoor Town Hall 20 years ago.

This week they launched a closing down sale and will shut up shop when all the stock is sold or in March when the lease expires.

Mr Welsh, 65, said: “Some customers have been quite upset we’re going.

“It is emotional for us but I want to retire and enjoy my spare time, but Melanie is looking for a part time job.

“I’m going to cycle more, when I was 40 I rode from Land’s End to John O’Groats now I have a fancy for riding through France to Spain.”

Before the couple began selling jewellery, Mr Welsh was a DJ at The Top Hat nightclub and Spennymoor Leisure Centre.

He said: “One night I saw someone selling silver chains in the hall and it looked good, it was my late dad’s idea to get a kiosk and that was like a gift he left us as we’ve had a good time.

“Our son Adam is an actor and never intended to take over the business.”

Mr Welsh is a former chairman of Spennymoor Chamber of Trade, which he helped resurrect with photographer George Teasdale, and Spennymoor Town Centre Forum.

He said out of town and internet shopping have contributed to a decline independent High Street trade but hopes people will support the town in future.