Chisholm Hunter, the Glasgow-founded jeweller established in 1857, is to close its branch in Falkirk's The Howgate shopping centre, with a clearance sale offering 20 percent off almost everything now underway.
The 169-year-old firm, which operates 27 stores across Scotland and England, has displayed red and white signage in the window of its Falkirk store, located next to Poundland, announcing the closure. No official closing down date has been announced, although the Daily Record has reached out for more information.
Clearance sale and store details
The signage reads: "Store closure. Closing down sale. 20 percent off almost everything." The Falkirk-based store offers a collection of diamond rings, fine jewellery, and Swiss-crafted timepieces, alongside luxury brands including TAG Heuer, Longines, Rado, Gucci, Tissot, Seiko, and Hamilton.
The extensive product collection also consists of diamonds, silver, gold, and platinum jewellery from the Chisholm Hunter collection. Shoppers can also find pre-owned pieces from luxury names Rolex, Cartier, and Patek Philippe. Known as a trusted brand for engagement rings, wedding bands, lab grown diamonds, and bespoke jewellery, the Scottish town branch also provides customers with an expert team of craftsmen and watchmakers who can repair special items.
History and expansion
Chisholm Hunter first opened its doors in Victorian Glasgow and was initially known as the "Store of 10,000 wonders." As of today, there are at least 15 standalone outlets across Scotland, found in major areas including Aberdeen, Dundee, Livingston, Stirling, and Inverness. Several can be found in its home city Glasgow, with outlets in Silverburn, The Fort, and the Argyll Arcade on Buchanan Street.
Said to have enjoyed "great success in its early years," the firm navigated challenges in the first half of the 20th century following the effects of the Great Depression and the First and Second World Wars. In 1993, it was bought over by now owner gemmologist Harry Brown, who set about "reviving and streamlining" the business into a specialist diamond merchant, bringing over two decades of experience into hand-selecting diamonds.
Family business and high street impact
Chisholm Hunter remains a second-generation run Brown family business, still run by Harry and his wife Tracey alongside their children. The firm says that "emotion and family values are at the heart of the brand."
It is the latest closure to affect the Scottish high street, as the Daily Record recently highlighted a full list of retailers that had closed, or were planning to close, several branches throughout the year, with TG Jones and Bank of Scotland among the list. The Daily Record has approached The Howgate for a statement regarding the Chisholm Hunter closure.
