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A Cardiff jewellers claiming to be the city’s oldest is closing its doors after more than three decades.

Jonathan David Jewellers first opened on Wellfield Road in Roath in 1982, when owner Margaret Hughes-Lewis said it was the “Bond Street of Cardiff”.

But 35 successful years of business later, and with Margaret and co-owner husband David retiring, it is closing with all supplies being moved to the family’s other store, run by son Jonathan on St Mary Street in the city centre.

Margaret said: “We have been in the business for 35 years now. Now I’m 70, I feel I need to retire now.

“The last two days have been very emotional and customers have been so nice bringing flowers, chocolate and cards.

“We will miss them all. They have all been very lovely and they will support us in our St Mary Street store too.”

Margaret, who lives with her husband in the Vale of Glamorgan , also paid tribute to her “incredibly loyal” staff.

“One lady has worked for us for 35 years, another 24 years and another 20 years.

“They now have family and their children have come in to shop here and be involved.”

The couple opened their first store on the opposite side of the road to where it is now in the 1980s before moving to the current unit in 2000.

'Many fond memories'

Now it claims to be Cardiff’s oldest independent jewellery store, selling items from engagement rings to diamond pendants.

Margaret explained: “I have many fond memories of the shop. It’s a nice area and it’s changing a lot.

It's not the only long-standing Cardiff shop to close this year, and follows this city newsagent closing in January:

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“There are lots of students now and it used to be more of a shopping destination – it was known as the Bond Street of Cardiff in the ‘80s.

“But that’s not to say the student population has affected our trade at all – people still want batteries, repairs and jewellery and all that sort of thing.

“But there are very few independent jewellers now in general. St Mary Street used to have four or five, but we are the only ones now. It’s a shame.

'Thriving'

“The bigger shops all sell the same brands but as an independent, we can be more choosy, and our second hand merchandise is very popular.”

The Wellfield Road shop’s last day of trading was on Saturday, but Margaret added: “The brand is still going strong and our city centre store is thriving.”

According to son Jonathan, who runs the St Mary Street shop, the family has been trying to decide for the past 18 months when to close the Roath branch.

Jonathan, 36, who the couple named the store after, said: “I can remember this place growing up. From a very early age I was always here helping out and have always been around the business making a nuisance of myself.

'A new chapter'

“It’s very sad to see it go but it was always the plan that they could retire and it would go into a pension for them. On the other side, I am pleased for mum to take a break because running your own business is the hardest thing.”

Jonathan, who lives in Penylan , added: “It’s a new chapter for her. I have got a little one on the way in just eight weeks, so she will be able to help out with that too, which will be brilliant.

“They will take a back seat in the business now, and mum’s going to be on hand to help out if needed.

“Dad, I don’t think, will ever retire. It’s his business from the start and I think he’s going to probably be coming in to help out a lot. The customers have also been great - they are like our family.”