A prominent British jeweller with a history spanning nearly five decades is fighting for survival after taking a critical step towards administration.
Notice of Intention Filed
CW Sellors, a well-known name on the high street, has filed a formal notice of intention to appoint administrators. This legal action, submitted on January 12, 2026, provides the company's leadership with a crucial 10-day period to secure a rescue deal, either through a new investor or an outright sale.
The business, which has been trading for 47 years, operates a chain of five boutiques across England. Its shops are located in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock, Shrewsbury, and Whitby, serving communities in Derbyshire, Shropshire, and North Yorkshire.
The Waters View Development Crisis
The company's financial troubles are deeply linked to a significant and costly property project. The firm pointed to the construction of Waters View at Carsington as a primary cause of its distress.
This ambitious 17.5-acre venue overlooking Carsington Water, a project championed by the late founder Charles Sellors, was put up for sale last year with a £3.95 million price tag. The company stated that spiralling building costs, which doubled during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, left the final finances unworkable.
A company statement explained: "One of the most significant challenges the company has faced in recent months — and indeed, years — has been the large and unanticipated costs arising from the development of Waters View." It added that this, combined with broader economic conditions, forced the "difficult but necessary decision" to sell the property.
Broader Financial Pressures and Next Steps
The issues at Waters View compounded wider operational challenges. The firm acknowledged "continued increases in enforced operational costs" affecting the wider UK business landscape. These rising overheads had already led to a previous "difficult" decision to close its office.
Company bosses are now working with property agents Savills to manage the sale of Waters View. The immediate focus is on the 10-day window to find a solution that could prevent the appointment of administrators and save the historic retail chain.
The future of its five high street boutiques and its staff now hangs in the balance as the search for a lifeline intensifies.
