Scott Wolfe to close his High Street shop.

HONITON is to lose a business which, over the past 12 years, has been a cornerstone feature of High Street.

Goldsmith and watchmaker Scott Wolfe is to close his shop on Christmas Eve.

“With the shop lease up for renewal in the New Year, I feel it would not be financially viable to renew it for another 12 years,” he told The Midweek Herald.

“At present, the outlook for the High Street looks bleak. Prime retail sites, with high rents and rates, are often becoming charity shops and, with the possibility of pay and display meters in the town centre, more shoppers will be deterred.

“The future prospects for small, independent retailers are becoming more precarious than ever.”

Mr Wolfe added: “On a more personal note, I think it’s time for ventures new.

“I have been finding inspiration and creativity hard to come by recently and, maybe, a change of direction is the way to go.”

He would like to take this opportunity to thank customers, friends and family for their support over the past 12 years.

One question has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue - will he continue in the jewellery trade in the future?

His reply is: “Never say never.

“Watch this space!”