A well-known Harrogate jewellers which has been in the same family for 190 years is set to close it doors for the final time today.

The Stray Ferret revealed in November that A.Fattorini The Jewellers, on Parliament Street, was due to close when the current manager Anthony Tindall retires.

Today, after a busy few months at the shop with the combination of a closing down sale and Christmas, Mr Tindall will bid a fond farewell to his customers and staff.

While most of the stock has found new homes, the few remaining pieces will go to an auction house.

Anthony and his great-great grandfather Antonio Fattorini.

It was not an easy decision for Mr Tindall, whose great, great grandfather Antonio Fattorini founded the business in 1831, but his children were not keen to take it on.

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He told the Stray Ferret today:

“I am very proud of the legacy and the whole family are proud of it. Of course it is sad that it will not continue in my family.

“These are sad decisions but you need to do it. I need to retire otherwise I will still be doing this well into my 80s and the world isn’t ready for that.

“Customers like the bargains but they do say they are sorry to see us go. People will remember us for the happy and important things in life, engagements and weddings.

“It has touched many lives, I know lots of the customers but plenty come in and say you won’t know me but buying jewellery from Fattorini is part of their family tradition.”

It is unclear what will happen to the iconic building where Fattorini has been based since 1884 when it closes.

However, Mr Tindall hopes that a new family will take on the business.

Police are investigating after thieves smashed their way into a jewellery shop in Harrogate overnight.

Browns Family Jewellers on Beulah Street has been a hive of police activity today with officers carrying out investigations. The jewellers was broken into at 2.30am this morning.

This afternoon passers-by could still see the crime scene investigation team gathering evidence while staff tried to clean up smashed glass.

At this time it is unclear how much jewellery, if anything, the suspects managed to take from the shop.

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A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said:

“I can confirm that the intruder and fire alarms, due to a smashed window and the presence of smoke in the property, activated at 2.28am today.

“It appears that the suspects entered the building but it is not yet clear if anything was taken.

“CCTV and forensic examinations are ongoing along with neighbourhood enquiries.”

North Yorkshire Police has asked for anyone with information on the break-in to get in touch by calling 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Quote reference number 12220003179 when providing details.