Sussex family-run jewellers closes after a century

W E Cro and Son has been a familiar sight in Crowborough High Street for the last century and has been run by three generations of the Cro family.

But current owners Jim Cro, 65, and wife Carolyn, 59, have decided it's time to retire.

The jewellers opened in 1924 when Jim's grandad William Edward Cro moved to the area with his wife and young son William Marchant Cro, who is Jim's father.

Cro senior took over the existing jewellers at the site and lived above the shop.

Thirty years later, in 1954, William and his wife died suddenly within three months of each other.

Jim told The Argus that his father, William Marchant Cro, also known as Bill, was already working in the business and took over full time.

In 1956 he married Betty, a midwife from Wadhurst, and they ran the shop  together.

READ MORE: Fury over plans for fancy all-glass penthouse with sea view in Regency building

After leaving school in 1976 Jim started working at the shop with his dad. His sister Sue, 61, joined him in 1981.

They eventually took over from their parents and ran the shop together until Sue's retirement in 2015.

Jim told The Argus: "Since then I have continued to run the business and in 2020 my wife Carolyn joined me.

"My speciality has been watch and clock repairs and during my 48 years in the business I have repaired in excess of 15,000 clocks.

"We have served generations of local families and since the news broke that I am retiring at the end of March we have been overwhelmed with messages, stories, memories and good wishes."

Jim said that despite the fact there are more generations of Cros, both his sons have successful careers in engineering.

Jim said: "My retirement plans are to spend more time on my hobby of model engineering, travelling and spending precious time with my three grandchildren."

The shop will close on March 28.