John Storr (right), owner at HW Franklin in Lincoln, with fellow staff Colin McQueen (left) and Trudi Isles (centre). | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A jewellers that has traded in Lincoln for over 70 years has closed as the owner and staff prepare for retirement.
HW Franklin first opened on Grantham Street in Lincoln in 1949. It moved to near the old mini market that used to front onto the High Street before relocating to its current premises next to Madame Waffle in 1991.
Current owner John Storr, 67, worked for the business for 10 years before purchasing it from the previous owner in 1990, the year before its relocation. It then changed from being a traditional jeweller to one that specialises in pre-owned and vintage jewellery.
John Storr worked at HW Franklin for four decades and owned the business for 30 years. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
John told The Lincolnite that around 18 months ago he decided to close business and retire, but the coronavirus pandemic had no impact on his decision. However, Wednesday’s announcement that Lincolnshire will move into tier 4 at midnight on New Year’s Eve means the shop will close a day earlier than planned.
John works alongside shop manager Colin McQueen, 62, and shop assistant Trudi Isles, 68, who have worked for the business for 30 and 13 years respectively.
Stock in the windows of HW Franklin on the penultimate day of trading. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
John said: “I’d like to thank our many customers for their support over the last 30 years (since I took over).
“In many respects it is very sad to close and a lot of customers became good friends over the years. The three of us here are also good friends and have very much enjoyed working with each other.
“I am hoping to have a long and happy retirement with more time in the garden.”
HW Franklin on Lincoln High Street will close its doors for the final time on December 31, 2020. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
John added that he believes there are currently no plans for what the future holds for the building.
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Marc Jones, the re-elected Conservative Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said that his work is not done, as he’s looking forward to a further three years in the role.
Mr Jones won with a 57.9% majority of the poll from the first round of counting, with 102,813 votes from a 31% turnout. A total of 177,528 votes were placed county-wide.
The nearest candidate was Labour’s Rosanne Kirk, with a 19% share of the votes, with Lincolnshire Independent David Williams securing the third spot with 10%.
The breakdown of the votes cast on Thursday, May 6, and counted on Saturday, may 8, was:
Marc Jones (Conservative) – 102,813
Rosanne Kirk (Labour) – 34,310
David Williams (Lincolnshire Independent) – 18,375
Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats) – 10,172
Peter Escreet (Reform UK) – 6,101
Marc Jones: “More work to do”
“It’s very gratifying to have concluded today on the first count, that was a really positive thing for what I’ve delivered so far,” said Mr Jones.
“But I’m under no illusions having spoken to many around the county there’s an awful lot more work to do.”
He said he wanted to assure the public that “nothing was taken for granted”.
Rosie Kirk – Labour – 2nd place
Labour’s candidate Rosie Kirk said she was “thrilled for her party” across all three elections that had taken place in Lincolnshire this week.
“The votes that we got was incredible. Our message got through and to actually come second in a Conservative county is really great,” she said.
However, she added that there were “lots of questions that still need to be asked” and promised to keep up her scrutiny of Marc in his role.
Ross Pepper – Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Pepper said the result was not “entirely unexpected”.
However, he said he was proud of the three Liberal Democrat councillors that had won seats in the local elections at Lincolnshire County and City of Lincoln Councils.
“I’m ready to work with them for a better Lincolnshire and a better Lincoln,” he said.
“In a Conservative heavy county we did a really good job of getting the Liberal Democrat message out there… and we continue pushing that message through local campaigning in the future.”
David Williams – Lincolnshire Independents
David Williams, the Lincolnshire Independents PCC candidate congratulated Marc Jones on his victory but said it is “not a surprising outcome”.
“I’m really pleased to have run for the post, because if I hadn’t have had a go to do a job that I really would have relished then I would have looked back and regretted not having taking the opportunity.”
Peter Escreet – Reform UK
Peter Escreet, the Reform UK candidate also said the result “was as expected” but actually he was “pleasantly surprised,” saying that this is “just the start”.
“The real campaign is in three years’ time” where Mr Escreet wants to grow a majority.
Conservative Marc Jones has been re-elected to the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner role.
He won from the first round of counting with 102,813 votes from a 31% turnout.
The PCC oversees the strategy and finances of the force, and also hires and fires chief constables, who are responsible for the daily policing operations.
Mr Jones will be in the position for three years.
The breakdown of the results is:
Marc Jones (Conservative) – 102,813
Rosanne Kirk (Labour) – 34,310
Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats) – 10,172
David Williams (Lincolnshire Independent) – 18,375
Peter Escreet (Reform UK) – 6,101
Here’s the live result announcement, the reactions and acceptance speech:
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