A jewellery business that has been selling rings, necklaces and watches to the people of Maidstone for very nearly the past 100 years is set to close.

FJ Burger was established by its namesake in 1924. Originally at 78a Bank Street, Maidstone, the business moved to its current location in Earl Street in 1962.

Since 1980, it has been owned by Alan Cumming, who will turn 78 in April, and he has decided that it's time to take a rest.

The last day of business will be on Thursday, April 14.

Mr Cumming, who was born in Sidcup in 1944, has been in business in Maidstone for 40 years, but not always as a retailer.

He explained: "I started my own business, Kent Jewellery Services, in what is now known as the Power Hub in St Peter's Street.

"We had a workshop where we did the jewellery repairs for jewellers."

The business was successful, taking in the work for up to 65 jewellers around the county and employing 12 men at the repair benches.

But although, individual jewellery chains were growing larger, Kent Jewellery Services were not sharing in the growth.

Eventually Mr Cumming fell out over pricing with the Signet Group, now reputedly the world's biggest jewellery chain, that had taken over H.Samuel, Ernest Jones and Leslie Davis, which had all been Mr Cumming's customers.

He said: "They withdrew all their custom which hit us really hard. It was absolutely the worst moment in my business life. I had to make seven repairers and four delivery drivers redundant."

By contrast, the independent Burgers remained one of Kent Jewellery Services best customers.

When the then owner, Colin Janz, put it up for sale, Mr Cumming bought it.

He said: "It was a gamble. I had a couple of partners at the time, but none of us had any retail experience, we were all trained in jewellery repair."

The gamble paid off, and Mr Cumming was to move the repair workshop into the Earl Street premises, where he continued to do jewellery repairs for the likes of Fraser Hart, Beaverbrooks and Goldsmiths.

He said: "My son Martyn has been working with me for many years, but he doesn't want to take on the business when I retire, so sadly that will be it."

He said: "I think our little shop will be sorely missed in Maidstone."

Mr Cumming said: "I've always had the policy that shoppers should come in the door as customers and leave as friends.

"And we certainly have developed a very loyal clientele over the years. Some customers have retired to Spain and elsewhere, but they always bring their repairs back to us whenever they visit England."

He said: "My staff have always seemed more like family that employees.

"I've been to their weddings, watched their children grow up.

"One lady who used to work with me years ago and now lives in Cumbria, has asked if she can come down and work with me on our last day, just to say goodbye!"

As well as his son, Mr Cumming currently employs one full-time and two part-time members of staff.

And his plans for the future? Mr Cumming said: "I've been a long time working. I think I need to sit back and reassess.

"I am a coarse fisherman, so perhaps I'll do a bit more of that."