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SRINAGAR, KASHMIR, INDIA – APRIL 15: Gold jewelry sales representatives shows gold ornaments to customers beside a display stand during the grand ‘Nikah Edit’ exhibition held at a hotel on April 15, 2025 in Srinagar, Kashmir, India. Gold is nearing an all-time high of $3,246, as global investors seek safety amid rising uncertainty over U.S. trade policy and possible Federal Reserve rate cuts. In India, one of the world’s top gold consumers, the rally is being closely felt on trading screens, in jewellery shops, and across bustling bullion markets. As Asian stock markets slide and inflation concerns persist, India’s gold markets reflect more than tradition they mirror global anxiety. Whether in glinting ornaments or gold coins weighed by hand, the world is turning to gold in uncertain times. From Delhi to Mumbai, demand is rising as shoppers and traders respond to global signals. U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting stance on tariffs and China’s upcoming economic data have added to the volatility, boosting gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. (Photo by Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images)
A “GORGEOUS” jewellery brand loved by celebs including Prue Leith has announced its sudden closure as it launches a huge sale.
The independent store and home of hand-crafted colourful costume jewellery, offered sterling silver items, freshwater pearls, and a range of accessories.
The Jewellery Stop on Poplar Road has been in business for 15 years
The store sold a variety of colourful pieces
TV Presenter Clare Balding even has her own online ‘style’ section
Having been a colourful feature of Kings Heath in Birmingham for over 15 years, The Jewellery Stop has come to the “heartfelt” decision to close down.
Its goods have been worn and loved by many a celeb including The Great British Bake Off‘s Dame Prue Leith and TV broadcaster Clare Balding.
The broadcaster even has her own online section known as “Clare Balding style”.
She has been spotted wearing the store’s colourful jewellery designs on TV many times including during the Olympics, the Paralympics, Wimbledon and most recently Crufts 2025.
But sadly, a Facebook post revealed the shop’s decision to close.
The post read: “Dear loyal customers of Kings Heath and beyond, here at The Jewellery Stop on Poplar Road we have made the difficult and heartfelt decision to close our shop on Friday, May 2.
“We have 30 per cent off selected items including KEW gardens soaps and hand creams, greeting cards and selected jewellery. Do come and see us in store during our last few days!
However, the spokesperson added “we are not going far” and revealed the business will move online.
They said: “Our click and collect service will still be available to our loyal customers and we will continue to dress our shop windows with colourful and inspiring products form our online range.
“We are making this change in order to create a dynamic and inspiring office space to continue to grow our online business and evolve with changing shopping trends.
“We appreciate this adjustment to online only may not suit everybody and we hope to be able to offer an alternative shopping experience further down the line.
“Please follow our Facebook page for updates or check posters in our shop windows.
“We are so grateful to everyone who has shopped with us over the years, thank you for being part of our journey.”
With quality jewellery came quality reviews and this shop has earned its fair share.
One person shared to Google Reviews: “Absolutely beautiful pieces, I have bought 2 of the star necklaces from this lovely shop in the past and I always get compliments when I wear them!
“Would love if there were more of this design available in different colours because I absolutely love them!
“Planning to visit the shop when I can because it would be lovely to see these gorgeous pieces in person and meet the lovely people behind the shop!”
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
Followed by a second person: “Absolutely gorgeous jewellery. Every time my friend and I go to a flower show we look out for the stand selling this beautiful jewellery.
“My friend bought a necklace in May and has worn it continously. It hasn’t tarnished with wearing and being sprayed with perfume. It looks as good as the day she bought it.
“I have bought earrings and necklaces over the years we have seen the jewellery stand.
“They make beautiful gifts too. We probably won’t see you at Chatsworth.
“But we’ll definitely see you next year and buy your beautiful jewellery and bring you a coffee.”
Just two days ago one person left a review via the store’s website.
They said: “Bought a pair of earrings in a local independent shop a while ago.
“I liked them so much, that I went back to see if they had them in different colours.
“They didn’t, but gave me the makers, The Jewellery Stop! So now I have three pairs of beautiful coloured leaf earrings.”
The Jewellery Stop is closing for good on May 2getty 
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