A jeweller’s shop which has been in existence for 102 years has closed its doors for the last time.
E. Butchart Jewellers and Watchmakers, on the Hilltown, has shut up shop following the retirement of proprietor Jim Hastie.
The 66-year-old, who has been behind the counter since 1964, brought forward his retirement plans after the shop was struck by three floods.
”All the floods we had were a nightmare,” he said. ”I was planning on retiring, but maybe not quite so soon I had to throw so much stuff out.
”There was a fire in January, which started the first flood and then there were two more a few weeks ago,” he said.
Over the years, Jim has seen many neighbouring shops come and go, as customers moved down the hill towards the Wellgate and Overgate centres.
”I’ve seen so many changes in the Hilltown over the years it’s just been run down,” he said. ”It’s very sad to see an area like this being run down, but the supermarkets and shopping complexes have all the custom now.”
Jim said there was no chance of the shop continuing as a watchmakers as there are no young people being trained in the trade.
Jim, who is originally from Arbroath, is now looking forward to spending time at home with wife Olive and working on his garden.
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