Jewellery store that served Mohammed Ali to shut after 42 years

But now Rex Johnson and Sons is closing its Dudley branch after 42 years – and bosses blame the loss of big brands and recent far right marches in the town.

It follows an unsuccessful move to The Churchill Shopping Centre Precinct last year, after being positioned in Birdcage Walk for 41 years.

Their Birmingham store, based in Corporation Street, will continue to trade as usual.

David Johnson, managing director, said it had been a difficult decision.

He said: "It is with a great sadness, regret and a heavy heart that we are leaving Dudley, we've got some amazing memories of our time here.

"We moved from Birdcage walk last May, as there was no footfall left there – we were the last retailer left.

"Along with the closure of the Co-op store the amount of people coming into that part of the town fell.

"It came down to a choice between moving to a new location in the town or moving out of Dudley completely.

"Dudley is a very special place for us and has been wonderful to us over the years. We did not want to leave so we decided to move to a new location.

"Although coming into Churchill Shopping Centre was only a trial period, it just hasn't worked out.

"We've had so many loyal customers who have been coming many years, but being inside the shopping centre just has a completely different feel to it."

The shop specialises in diamonds, antique jewellery and pawnbroking as well as buying unwanted and scrap gold, silver and platinum.

Over the years they have seen their fair share of fellow Dudley traders come and go, including famous department store Beatties in 2010.

Mr Johnson explained how the decline in shops and recent rise in far right protest marches have all added to the reasons for closure.

He added: "The recent marches have all had an effect on trade.

"They've usually happened on a main shopping day and we've had no choice but to close – losing trade.

"We've lost big shops such as Beatties and little traders such as greengrocers, which have all put a toll on decreasing the amount of shoppers coming here.

"It's not the same as it was, hence we have to move on and not live in the past."

The shop originally expanded from one site in Wolverhampton selling pre-owned and antique jewellery to two high-profile stores in Birmingham and Dudley in the 1970s.

In 2010 antiques expert David Dickinson fronted the shop's gold campaign, often making regular visits himself.

Former owner and brother of Mr Johnson, Robert Johnson, also welcomed boxing legend Muhammad Ali to their Birmingham shop in 1983.

The shop is in the third generation of owners, with David Johnson's son, Ben Johnson, currently Dudley store manager.

David Johnson spoke of how he felt the Dudley store had lost something when his brother passed away in 2003. He said: "We lost a bit of pizazz when we lost Robert. The feeling that was in the store went with him.

"I still look at the picture of when he met with Muhammad Ali at the shop. They had banter and were offering each other punches – but I don't think Robert would have been the one coming out looking good.

"He really was the heart and the soul of the shop.

"However, my son Ben has taken over since and done a marvellous job – it is very sad that we have to leave Dudley this way.

"Our store was almost a landmark in Dudley, it was something new, and we were the first to have a commissionaire on the door as security with his epaulettes on.

"We now aim to continue with our Birmingham shop and get that back to former glory, following the recent disruption with the metro being built.

"However, we have loved our time here at Dudley, its people and the place will remain in our hearts – it's been special."

The shop will officially close on August 31, with a closing down sale running until then, with promises of bargains to be had.