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TV antiques expert Ian Towning
Celebrity antiques dealer Ian Towning has shut down his iconic Chelsea jewellery emporium and decided to leave London after a violent armed robbery left him traumatised.Towning, 78, known for his appearances on TV shows including Dickinson's Real Deal and Posh Pawn, said he never fully recovered from a brutal raid on his store in March 2024, during which he was struck on the head with a hammer.
Violent raid left dealer traumatised
Towning and his security guard, Mark Simmons, were attacked when armed robbers stormed his Chelsea jewellery store carrying hammers, including a sledgehammer.CCTV footage from the incident showed the attackers entering the premises before one of them allegedly struck the antiques expert on the head and forced him to the ground.The gang fled with jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, while both Towning and Simmons suffered injuries during the raid.Speaking about the aftermath, Towning said the attack left him struggling with flashbacks, emotional distress and sleepless nights."I am nearly 80 now and it's hard to recover from such a trauma," he said, adding that the incident had taken a toll on his health and wellbeing.
Convictions followed months later
In November 2024, James Dixon, 42, and Thomas Loring, 41, were convicted over a series of violent robberies and burglaries committed in and around London, including the attack on Towning's store.
The raid also resulted in additional security costs for the business, which Towning had operated from Chelsea since 1997.
End of an era for Chelsea antiques business
The closure marks the end of a decades-long association with London's antiques trade. Towning had been a familiar figure in Chelsea's antiques scene since the 1970s and built a reputation as a respected jewellery and antiques expert through his television appearances.Reflecting on the decision, he said he had always expected to continue working at the emporium for the rest of his career but ultimately felt unable to move past the trauma of the attack.The 2024 robbery was the second major violent incident at the store. In 2008, Towning was left covered in blood after confronting another gang that reportedly arrived armed with sledgehammers and a gun.
Criticism of London's crime situation
According to the Daily Mail, Towning blamed London Mayor Sadiq Khan for failing to tackle rising crime in the capital, describing the situation as deeply concerning and claiming residents and customers had become increasingly fearful of thefts and robberies.“I think Sadiq Khan has been a disaster for London,” Towning told the Daily Mail. “All he cares about is bike lanes and when someone gets stabbed and murdered he wants to give money for more youth clubs. It's scandalous. He's a joke,” he added.The antiques dealer told the newspaper that concerns about safety and the impact of repeated criminal incidents contributed to his decision to close the business and leave London.
