ANOTHER shop has disappeared from Weymouth's high street as town centre jeweller Warren James closes down.

The high street jeweller, based on St Mary Street, is part of a national chain owned by brother and sister business partners John Coulter and Ann Jones, who founded the company in 1979.

It is understood that the closure of the Weymouth branch is not part of a national closure, however all stores remain temporarily shuttered due to the current lockdown, as non-essential shops have been ordered to close.

Warren James has been contacted for comment on how many staff are affected by the closure.

The chain has several other branches in Dorset, including at the Dolphin Centre, Poole, the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe, and on Commercial Road in Bournemouth town centre.

Latest accounts published on the Government's Companies House website reveal the brand's operating profits decreased to £34.7 million from £35.4 million over the last financial year.

Previously, in 2019, the business owners were recognised in the Sunday Times Rich List after their fortunes rose by £60 million to £537 million over a 12 month period.

Locals said workers were in the Weymouth branch stripping out fixtures and fittings yesterday, and that the shop had been 'emptied out.'

Craig Oakes, president of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: "It’s sad to see any business leaving the centre of town.

"It’s understandable the way things are at the moment though, and I am sure slow business trade during Christmas - particularly for jewellers - didn’t help.

"I hope that businesses hold on and we have faith that vaccines being rolled out as quickly as possible will mean that businesses will be able to operate again soon."

The closure is the latest blow to Weymouth town centre after a major retailer in the town, Debenhams, pulled out of the high street. Yesterday it was announced that the department store chain is to be rescued by online fashion retailer Boohoo - which has bought the Debenhams brand and website for £55 million in a deal that will see the eponymous department store name survive - whilst the company’s remaining 118 stores are to close for good.

A glimmer of hope has been offered though as budget department store The Range revealed plans to take over the New Bond Street site.

Meanwhile, crafts and books chain The Works, which has a branch on St Mary Street in the town centre, as well as in Dorchester and Bridport, has voiced concerns over its future.

Attempts were made to contact Warren James representatives for comment, however the company had not responded at the time of going to print.