A large jewellers has closed down unexpectedly after decades of trading in Swansea city centre. H Samuel, on the corner of Oxford Street and Union Street, has disappeared and all its signs have been removed.
The store stocked a wide range of jewellery including engagement rings and wedding bands, necklaces, bracelets and watches, as well as collectible figurines and living room decorations. It was located opposite F Hinds jewellers and was a short walk from another H Samuel jewellers, as well as four other similar businesses (Clogau, Pandora, Ernest Jones and stephen hughes fine diamonds), all in the Quadrant Centre. You can keep up to date with the latest Swansea news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
The closure has come as a shock to many, particularly as there didn't seem to be any 'store closing down'-type signs there in recent weeks.
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Confirming the store's closure, a spokesperson for H Samuel said: "We’re sorry that we have had to close our Oxford Street store, however, our stores remain central to our long term growth strategy and we continue to invest in them, ensuring they are in locations where they best serve our customers, keeping in step with their demands, including the many customers who start their shopping journey online.
"Customers can still enjoy city centre shopping, as our nearest store is a short walk away in the Quadrant shopping centre, Dillwyn street. Our website is also open to welcome customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year where they can also book appointments with our virtual store teams to view products, receive advice, ask questions and place orders."
Commenting on the closure, chief executive of Swansea BID, Russell Greenslade, said: "Firstly, our thoughts are with those who the store closure may have impacted. It’s worth noting that the brand hasn’t left our city centre and continues to trade in another store within the Quadrant shopping centre. As reported by Wales Online recently, the block that the H Samuel store was situated in was purchased by a local established developer who I am sure will be working hard on occupancy.”
As we reported earlier this year, the new owners of the building which used to house H Samuel have said they are looking to revitalise the retail space and create 27 apartments on the upper floors.
But the unexpected closure of the H Samuel store comes as question marks surround the future of another well-known city centre establishment, Shaws The Drapers. Staff at the company, which has 15 stores in Wales and another 13 elsewhere in the UK, have reportedly been told to sell all stock before Christmas.
Shaws sells soft furnishings, wool, yarn and home accessories and employs more than 150 staff across its stores. In recent days, shoppers have raised concerns on the future of the company and have said some stores in Wales seemed to have "unexpectedly closed" whilst others have "bare shelves". You can read more on this here.
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