ONE of Evesham's best known jewellery businesses is consolidating as its owners have decided to semi-retire.

Angela and Paul Gash, who bought WG Margetson, watchmaker and jeweller, in the town's High Street in 1978, are concentrating their business in their second shop Evesham Jewellers, a few doors away, which they purchased in 1986.

Mr Gash began working for Mr and Mrs Margetson as a 16-years-old after leaving Prince Henry's Grammar School and was eventually given charge of the shop when the couple took long winter holidays.

"Although he had the offer of another job, it was agreed that eventually he would be able to buy the Margetson's business," said Mrs Gash, "which we did in 1978 and we've run it ever since. Then when Evesham Jewellers at 14 High Street came on the market in 1986, we bought that too. Now we have decided to semi-retire and run just the one shop at Evesham Jewellers.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their loyal support over the years and we hope to continue to provide them with the same service at Evesham Jewellers. We are very fortunate to have our son Martin working for us along with Paul Stanley who has been with us for 30 years, so there are some very familiar faces still around."