A famous North Yorkshire brand is at risk after its parent company collapsed into administration.
Jewellery business CW Sellors owns the W Hamond Whitby Jet brand.
The company, based in Derbyshire, has appointed administrators, as has its sister firm Cessbrook Investments. Thirty-six people have already been made redundant.
It owns W Hamond on Church Street, Whitby, and the W Hamond branch on Shambles in York. They are continuing to trade as a buyer for the business is sought.
A message on the company’s two websites says: “Please be advised, Lee Causer and Benjamin Peterson of BDO LLP have been appointed as joint administrators of C.W. Sellors (Gold And
Silversmiths) Limited and Cressbrook Investments Limited on 13 January 2026.
“The business continues to trade, but please note that we are unable to accept online orders.
“We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this time.”
CW Sellors was established in 1979. It has outlets in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock, and Shrewsbury, as well as York and Whitby.
Administrators are to consolidate all sites in Whitby into one store, W Hamond, resulting in the closure of four stores, and continue to trade all other sites as normal.
The business had been experiencing cash flow challenges following its investment in new manufacturing and training facilities. This was partly due “to rising costs and weakened trading throughout the cost-of-living crisis”.
The joint administrators are now seeking a buyer for the business.
Lee Causer, one of the administrators, said: “The business has been experiencing challenging trading conditions, with rising overheads and lower demand for its high-end products.
“Regrettably, 36 people have been made redundant with immediate effect. The company’s remaining 50 employees will be retained for a period to assist the administrators to trade the business whilst a buyer is sought.”
W Hamond dates back to 1860 when James Storr opened the Whitby jet shop on Church Street.
CW Sellors bought W Hamond in 1999.
