Robert & Victoria in Whitby is shutting after 47 years

Robert & Victoria, a shop in Whitby specialising in jet jewellery, has closed after appointing administrators last Tuesday, January 13 – shutting its doors for the last time after 47 years.

Established in 1979, the family run Sandgate shop has been popular amongst locals and visitors since it was first set up and remained a constant in the changing town.

In a Facebook post, one of the shop’s owners shared news of the closure and thanked customers for visiting the shop over the years. She said: “Thank you to all our lovely customers over the years! You’ve all been amazing!

“To the ones who only visited once on their little weekend away. To the ones who visited on Goth Weekends annually. To the ones who travelled to Whitby on bus trips weekly and monthly…. however you ended up in Robert & Victoria, you have all meant so much to me and my team over the years!

“We have loved having you visit us! I am truly going to miss you all and being a part of the Whitby Old Town hustle and bustle amongst the cobbles and neighbouring shops! We are the heart of Whitby!

“To my fellow colleagues and dearest friends that I made within the years of working with you… I love you all and wish you all the best in your future adventures.”

As well as Robert & Victoria, three other Whitby jet shops owned by the same parent company CW Sellors – The Whitby Jet Store, Araucaria, and CW Sellors – have also closed their doors as the chain enters administration.

All locations will be consolidated into one store – W Hamond Whitby – while a new buyer is sought, with decisions expected to be made later this week.

Lee Causer, one of the Joint Administrators at BDO, said: “The business has been experiencing challenging trading conditions, with rising overheads and lower demand for its high-end products.

“Regrettably, 36 people have been made redundant with immediate effect. The company’s remaining 50 employees will be retained for a period to assist the administrators to trade the business whilst a buyer is sought.”