Fattorini: Harrogate's 'oldest shop' to close after 190 years

Anthony Tindall will retire in the new year after 45 years behind the counter at A Fattorini jewellers

A family-run jewellers which created the world-famous FA Cup trophy is to close after almost 200 years of trade.

Antonio Fattorini opened his shop in Harrogate, believed to be the town's oldest, after emigrating from Italy in 1831.

Current owner and Mr Fattorini's great-great-grandson Anthony Tindall will retire in the new year after 45 years behind the counter.

He said: "It's been a pleasure to serve many a customer."

It was the family's now-closed Bradford branch which made both the FA Cup trophy and Rugby League Challenge Cup.

The FA Cup design was crafted for the 1911 competition, fittingly won by Bradford City.

The original trophy, replaced by a newer model in 1992, was valued at £1m on the Antiques Roadshow in 2016.

The Harrogate shop is due to close on 8 January.

The FA still uses the trophy designed by the Fattorini family

Mr Tindall, who said he had enjoyed his years at the family firm but was ready for retirement, added: "Everything comes to an end."

Neither of the jeweller's two children want to run the Parliament Street shop and maintain the 190-year link.

He said: "Nowadays people have much more career choice than they did, it's time to close the business.

"It's been a pleasure to serve many a customer in that time and see engagements, weddings and christenings.

"I think we are the oldest and Bettys teashop was similarly founded by someone like Antonio, this time a Swiss man, but more than 60 years later."

The firm founded by Antonio Fattorini went on to create the historic FA Cup trophy

The firm's founder had several children, one also called Antonio, who carried on the business and was later joined by his sister Maria and her husband John Tindall, who went on to inherit the firm.

Nine staff are currently employed at the North Yorkshire store.

The family's first shop opened in Leeds market before moving to Harrogate. The Fattorinis also founded shops in Skipton and Bradford.

• More stories from Yorkshire