A CHANTRY Centre jewellers will end its almost 30 year association with the town when it shuts up shop later this year.

F. Hinds will officially close its Chantry Centre store on Ma y 27.

A spokesman for the jewellers confirmed the decision to the Advertiser this week, citing economic pressures and the upcoming end of their lease.

The spokesman said: “The store in Andove r is closing but we haven’ t got the final details yet. The decision is for tw o reasons.

“The first is that we have four stores in striking distance of Andove r – These are in Newbury, Southampton, Swindon and Basingstoke.

“The other, the main reason, is that our lease has ended.”

The spokesman said that details regarding the future of staff were ye t to be finalised.

However they added that if staff are willing to relocate and there are vacancies available , that the company will attempt to transfer them to a different store .

The spokesman said the shop will have a closing down sale in the weeks leading up to its departure from the centre.

The jeweller’ s decision to close the Andove r branch brings to an end its almost 30 year history in the town.

F. Hinds first opened an Andover store in 1988, originally positioning itself on the High Street.

The jewellers then moved into the Chantry Centre in the 1990s and has remained there ever since.

The store is the third big name to announce its departure from the Chantry Centre so far this year.

Argos has already announced it will be moving from the centre to the Sainsbury’s on Shepherds Spring Lane later this month, while Carphone Warehouse shut up shop in February.

Other recent centre departures include Cash Converters and Oxfam.

Chantry Centre manager, Steve Cotney, said: “The centre has recently suffered from some departures which were driven by the national reconfiguration of both Argos and Carphone Warehouse.

“We understand F. Hinds are considering their position on the basis of the lease drawing to an end.

“They have been a great tenant and it though will be a shame to see them go, shoppers looking for jewellery will still enjoy the choice of our other specialists."