Quarter Life - Issue 6

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE JEWELLERY QUARTERLIVE LEARN WORK VISIT

issue sixissue six

JEWELLERY QUARTER

www.jewelleryquarter.net

CREATIVE QUARTER

EXPLORE THE JQ’S CREATIVE BUSINESSES

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

PLANS SET TO TRANSFORM THE JQ

Students past and present celebrate the School of Jewellery’s 125th year

OLDSCHOOL

Studio 1, 51 St. Paul’s Square,

Birmingham B3 1QS

0121 233 0867

[email protected]

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IT’S THAT ST PAUL’S SMILE!

on the cover

Aaron Cumbers is in his final year of a two-year HND in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the School of Jewellery.

Turn to page 14 to read more about the school,

as it celebrates 125 years.

next issue

If you’ve got an interesting business story you’d like us

to consider for the next issue of QUARTERlife, please email [email protected]

The first issue of 2015 is all about celebration! A number of

Jewellery Quarter organisations, such as the School of Jewellery (page 14), are marking important milestones, while excitement is brewing for the various developments that are starting or finishing across Birmingham and the Jewellery Quarter this year.

One of the Jewellery Quarter’s most significant projects is the Golden Square, which is due to open in May. This public space on Warstone Lane will become a key location for events. On pages 8-10, you’ll find an update on the progress of the other developments in the Quarter as well as major projects in Birmingham city centre (page 11), such as the redevelopment of Paradise. These schemes will improve connectivity in the city as well as boost its retail and leisure sectors. For the Jewellery Quarter, the new developments will also create more housing as well as support local business growth.

The JQBID team has been working hard on a number of new initiatives including the sponsorship of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference (page 7), to promote the Quarter to potential investors, businesses and visitors, which aim to attract different audiences to the area. The JQBID is excited to announce the very first JQ Festival, a weekend showcase of love for the JQ and the many creative businesses and talents it holds. From 17th to 19th July, the JQ Festival – which will link to our exciting partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and their Love Architecture campaign in the city centre – will see an array of exciting events and activities for all ages and interests, read more on page 22. See page 23 for a whole host of local events for the year and don’t forget to follow @JQBID on Twitter for the latest updates on BID events and news around the Quarter.

Did you know there are more than 25 architects based in the Jewellery Quarter? See our eight-page pull-out guide to see just how many creative businesses, including design agencies, photographers, and designer makers, are based here. Plus, we meet some of the most inspiring industry figures as they celebrate business milestones of their own.

Sticking with the architecture theme, we take a look around University College Birmingham’s (UCB) newest campus on Holland Street – a fine example of design that demonstrates how it can be both fun and practical. You can also read about Birmingham City Council’s plans to restore the Warstone Lane and Key Hill cemeteries to their former glory (page 19).

Luke Crane, JQBID manager

WELCOME TO THE SIXTH ISSUE OF QUARTERlife

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR THE JEWELLERY QUARTER.

3QUARTERlife ISSUE SIX

ISSUE SIX

Editor:Laura Butler

[email protected] 0121 233 2080

Editorial Assistant:Amanda Johansson

Advertising:Jilly Cosgrove

[email protected] 0121 233 2080

Design & Art Direction:Lee Haynes

Photography:Lee Haynes

Gibson Kochanek Studio

Contributors: Ed Hole

Weston Beamor

Tina Francis Tina Francis Tapestry

CONTACT US

For Jewellery Quarter BID enquiries: [email protected]

0121 233 2814

Designed and produced by:

www.barques.co.uk

A magazine by:

www.jewelleryquarter.net

NEWSThe Big Hoot, JQDT appoints new chair, street lighting fixed across the JQ.

Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan update, Pen Museum secures funding, apprenticeship scheme grows.

Cyclists rewarded with free repairs, JQBID sponsors FSB conference, welcome to new businesses.

8 A TIME FOR CHANGEAn update on the latest developments in the Jewellery Quarter.

11 BUILDING A BETTER BIRMINGHAMFour major projects that will transform the way people travel across the city.

12 INNOVATIONWeston Beamor’s Ed Hole explains how 3D printing has boosted business.

13 I JQTina Francis explains why she moved back to the Jewellery Quarter after more than 25 years away from Birmingham.

14 CRAFTING CAREERS FOR 125 YEARSMeet some of the School of Jewellery’s most successful alumni.

17 LIFE THROUGH A LENSRuskin Mill Trust’s vision for the Standard Works and the School of Jewellery celebrates its 125th anniversary.

18 A PERFECT FITLearn more about the businesses based in The Courtyard at The Coffin Works.

19 GRAVE EXPECTATIONSBirmingham City Council reveals plans to restore the Jewellery Quarter’s cemeteries.

20 THE WOW FACTORTake a look inside McIntyre House, UCB’s new Jewellery Quarter campus.

22 JOIN US FOR THE FIRST JQ FESTIVAL!JQBID presents the very first JQ Festival, 3-days of live music, food, arts, crafts, theatre, dance and more.

23 WHAT’S ONDates for your diary from June to August.

A GUIDE TO THE QUARTER’S CREATIVE CROWD

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Meet a selection of our creative crowd

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The Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) is to

sponsor two owl sculptures when The Big Hoot swoops into Birmingham this summer. The 10-week art exhibition, which will raise funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, will include the 165cm tall owls that have been painted by artists who have been brought together by the Wild in Art group. The BID-sponsored owls will be located at the Golden Square and in St Paul’s Square.

For more information, visit www.thebighoot.co.uk or follow @thebighoot2015.

JQDT BOARD ELECTS A NEW CHAIRMAN

Stella Layton, chief executive and Assay Master at Birmingham Assay Office, has been elected as the new chairman of the Jewellery Quarter

Development Trust (JQDT). Stella succeeds David Mahony, managing director of PCPT Architects,

who was instrumental in establishing the JQDT and the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID). He remains a director of the Trust board and will continue to be involved in the development of this historic area of Birmingham.

“I’m looking forward to working alongside the Trust’s board of directors to continue to improve the area to attract new businesses, visitors and residents.” said Stella. “I’m keen to develop collaborative working between businesses and organisations within the Jewellery Quarter, particularly through training and apprenticeship opportunities.”

FIXED LIGHTING MAKES THE QUARTER SHINE

If you’ve taken an evening stroll around the Jewellery Quarter

recently, you may have noticed it’s a lot brighter following the replacement of the street lamps.

Forty-nine new heritage-style lamp posts along Mary Street, Kenyon Street, Branston Street, Regent Parade, Spencer Street, Tenby Street North, and Warstone Parade East, have been installed as part of a £100,000 investment from Birmingham City Council and the Jewellery Quarter BID (JQBID). The JQBID contributed £40,000 towards the project. The decorative lighting columns are designed to reflect the historic character of the area.

Luke Crane, JQBID manager, said: “The upgrading of the Jewellery Quarter’s street lighting will help to make our streets feel safer after dark, similar to our contribution to the red/blue bridge renovation. The attractive heritage lamp posts the BID has funded will ensure that the new lighting will make a positive contribution to the appearance of the area during the day, too.”

JQBID backs The Big Hoot

NEWS


Apprenticeship scheme set to grow

The apprenticeship scheme run by Holts Academy, the

School of Jewellery, and Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, has been gathering pace over the past 18 months, with the number of opportunities growing each month.

There are currently 18 jewellery manufacture apprentices working in 10 businesses across the Jewellery Quarter, and Holts Academy hopes to expand the number of apprentices to 25 by the summer.

To manage this ambitious growth, the London-based academy has employed a co-ordinator to oversee the Birmingham activity. Jan Alum, who is based at Holts’ new workshop in The Big Peg, will liaise with the apprentices, businesses and the School of Jewellery to ensure that everyone is happy with the scheme and that learners derive maximum benefit from it.

Jan said: “A good relationship with all three organisations is essential for the smooth running of the scheme and to ensure that the apprentice has the knowledge and skills they require to maintain a career in the jewellery industry.

“Apprenticeships can be beneficial to both the student and businesses; apprentices get one-to-one training within a real working environment and the employer has all the advantages of growing their own employees for the future.”

Holts Academy hopes to launch retail jeweller apprenticeships in Birmingham, which are already successful in London.

If you are interested in taking on an apprentice, visit www.holtsacademy.com for more information.

Community plan gathers pace

Work on the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan, which will enable members of the local community to make key planning decisions that will benefit their

area, is well underway.As part of the Neighbourhood Plan, a group of local business people and

residents are creating a new set of planning rules to encourage investment and high quality development. This will help the Jewellery Quarter to fulfil its potential while cherishing its heritage and assets.

The first phase of the plan has seen the group gather examples of previous reports compiled about the Jewellery Quarter to decide if the information is still relevant. The next phase will be to commission surveys, talk to the Jewellery Quarter community, and use the findings to start drafting policies.

Information gathering will take place during spring and summer to obtain local views on the group’s areas of interest, which include land and building use, connectivity, jewellery and retail, and design.

Visit www.facebook.com/JQNeighbourhoodplan and follow @JQNeighbourhood on Twitter, to keep up to date with the progress and share your views.

The Jewellery Quarter’s iconic Pen Museum has received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help plan a sustainable future.

The volunteer-run attraction, which opened in 2001, has received a £19,500 Transition Fund grant. The money will be used to develop a ‘best practice’ volunteer programme and provide training.

The grant will also help it to develop a robust business plan and to revamp the museum shop.

The Pen Museum, located in the historic Argent Centre on Frederick Street, was set up to preserve and showcase the rich history and legacy of the steel pen trade in Birmingham.

Reyahn King, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said: “The Pen Museum showcases a fascinating aspect of Birmingham’s industrial history and it is important to support this small organisation to continue telling the story that otherwise could be overlooked.”

The museum, a former pen factory, is currently rated in the top ten of Birmingham attractions on TripAdvisor and receives an average of 10,000 visitors per year.

Pen Museum plans for a sustainable future

NEWS


8Foot Grocer, Caroline StreetBlakeley-Browns, Augusta StreetBuild Midlands, Kenyon Street Cake Quarter, Vyse StreetCampbell Chiropody Clinic, Spencer Street Cdcoffeelounge, Newhall StreetChange Birmingham Brief Therapy, Vyse StreetCurio Emporium, Hall StreetGM Accountancy, Caroline StreetH2O Physio, Vittoria StreetHerbalife Wellness Centre, Caroline StreetJPS Selection, Ludgate HillJQ Coffee Café, Frederick StreetJQ Flooring, Northwood StreetLucy Loves Antiques, Warstone LaneMr Chain, Vyse StreetOptiSpa, Vittoria StreetPlatinum Dreams, Ansty Court, Caroline StreetPosh Pawn, Warstone LaneQuantem Consulting LLP, Kenyon StreetSemedo’s, Warstone LaneTender Touch Care, Spencer Street The Challenge, Charlotte Street The Little Gem Wedding Company, Warstone Lane UK Big Buy Ltd, Kenyon StreetUltra Hair Clinic, Legge LaneVanguard Direct Ltd, Kenyon StreetZak Solicitors, 6 Warstone Mews

WELCOME TO THE NEW JQ BUSINESSES

QUARTERlife ISSUE SIX

CYCLISTS REWARDED WITH FREE REPAIRS

The Jewellery Quarter BID (JQBID) is working in tandem with Urban Cycles to encourage local cyclists to get on their bikes.

Urban Cycles, which provides mobile bicycle servicing, will park its pod in the Golden Square throughout the year to offer cyclists a free silver service, on a first come, first served basis. The first JQ Big Bike Day took place on the Golden Square in May with a second planned for 25th June and a third in St Paul’s Square on 19th July.

A fully qualified team will be at the pod from 8am until late, ready to service your bike. Just drop it off in the morning and they will carry out general maintenance to keep you safe on the road.

This initiative follows Birmingham City Council’s £23 million investment in cycling infrastructure across the city.

JQBID sponsors FSB conference

When the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference came to Birmingham in March (19th - 21st), more than 600 delegates received a brooch designed by silversmith Rajesh Gogna, who is based in The Big Peg.

The cost of making the brooch, which was the size of a 1p coin, was split between the FSB and the Jewellery Quarter BID (JQBID). Brooches were placed in high quality hinged boxes from Pickering & Mayall.

JQBID manager Luke Crane said: “We wanted people to leave the conference knowing that there is a lot of creative talent in the Jewellery Quarter and that great things are still made here, as they always have been. That’s why the BID sponsored the manufacture of these brooches.”

NEWS

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A time for

CHANGECHANGETHERE’S A LOT HAPPENING IN THE JEWELLERY QUARTER THIS YEAR, WITH NEW

DEVELOPMENTS STARTING AND COMPLETING, ALL OF WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE

AREA. HERE, QUARTERlife CHECKS THE STATUS OF THE PROJECTS.

Golden Square

This new £1.6 million public space outside The Big Peg on Warstone Lane was completed in May. This Birmingham City Council scheme – part of the local authority’s Big City Plan – will create a focal point for the Jewellery Quarter, provide a flexible space to host events, and encourage more visitors into the area.


St George’s area

There are a number of new developments on the northern border of the Jewellery Quarter that will improve an important gateway site into the area.

The St George’s Urban Village site, which stretches from Albion Street to Icknield Street, forms part of the city centre enterprise zone.

The former George & Dragon pub on Albion Street (pictured above) is undergoing a £400,000 renovation to become a café or restaurant, and apartments. The mixed-use development by G&D Projects is due to be completed later this year.

Assay Office Birmingham’s new, purpose-built headquarters in Icknield Street is making great progress ahead of its planned opening later this year. The Assay Office’s current building on Newhall Street has been sold to mixed-use developer TCN UK. The redevelopment of the Grade II listed Victorian building is expected to begin in 2016.

The Kettleworks building – a former Swan Kettles factory – in Icknield Street, and 1.8 acres of land adjoining it, is being transformed into 550 loft-living apartments. The £42m redevelopment is due to start this summer and should be completed early 2016.

BLOC Hotel extension

BLOC Hotel, which provides stylish, luxury compact rooms at affordable prices, opened on Caroline Street in April 2011. The hotel is redeveloping an adjoining building on Northwood Street to introduce its apart-hotel accommodation concept for longer stays. The construction of 30 extra rooms is due to be completed in early 2016.

Caroline Street

Birmingham City Council has undertaken some survey work in preparation for the positioning of new trees in Caroline Street.

Perry Beeches IV extension

Perry Beeches IV, the Jewellery Quarter’s second free school, opened on Albion Street in September 2014. Building work to create additional floors in the former office building, which will provide new science labs, ICT suites, music studios, and art and design workshops has completed. A five-a-side football pitch has also been installed.

Glasshouse College

Work has begun on transforming the Standard Works building on Vittoria Street into a new campus for Glasshouse College, which provides educational opportunities for young people with learning difficulties. The New Standard Works will have capacity for up to 90 students and is due to be completed in time for the new academic year in September.


The Metalworks

The £16m residential development on Warstone Lane, comprising 105 two-bedroom apartments, is nearing completion. It will be ready for occupation this spring, and 80% of the apartments have already sold off plan.

Following the success of The Metalworks, developers Delph Property Group has also bought land on Carver Street to build The Foundry – a scheme of 61 apartments. Sales will open in May with completion due in summer 2016.

Sterling House and St Paul’s Chambers

Sterling House, Chord Developments’ scheme of nine exclusive shell loft apartments on Caroline Street, is now complete and ready for occupation. There are only two apartments available.

Work on phase two of this residential development, which will be known as St Paul’s Chambers, has begun and the show apartment was ready in April.

The scheme will comprise nine apartments, measuring between 1,500 sq ft and 3,250 sq ft, fitted to an ultra-modern, five-star specification.

The Rifle Maker

The Rifle Maker is a unique development by Javelin Block that has taken inspiration from New York’s style of loft living. The Water Street development, which will be completed in October, offers six through-floor loft apartments – a first for Birmingham – with secure allocated parking. Only one apartment remains available.

Great Charles Street

Dunedin Property and Angelo Gordon LLP, the new owners of the Great Charles Street Estate, are considering a range of development and asset management options.

The portfolio includes seven office buildings – Civic House, Charles House, Lombard House, Galbraith House, Beaufort House, Lionel House and 154/155 Great Charles Street – totalling 330,000 sq ft.

The estate offers an opportunity to enhance the existing office accommodation in the area as well as provide alternative uses such as residential, student accommodation and a hotel.

Townscape Heritage project

The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) is continuing to work on a major funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to secure a potential £2m investment for the Jewellery Quarter. The Townscape Heritage project should kick-start repairs and new uses for a number of historic buildings in the area.

The bid is being prepared by Peter White, project lead, and Cllr Phil Davis, project chair. Heritage consultants Melville & Partners and project community outreach lead Birmingham Conservation Trust have held a number of meetings with potential sites ahead of the bid submission later this year.


B U I L D I N G A

BETTER BIRMINGHAM

A number of major developments are due to start and complete across Birmingham this year, promising to revolutionise the way people travel around

the city and to help improve connectivity to the Jewellery Quarter.

1 MIDLAND METRO

The £127 million extension of the Midland Metro, due to be completed later this year, will take trams through the streets of Birmingham city centre, from Snow Hill station to New Street station.

People visiting the Jewellery Quarter, which is already included as a stop on the Metro network, can either exit Snow Hill station onto Livery Street or continue their journey to St Paul’s Metro stop, where they will exit onto Vyse Street, placing them at the heart of the Quarter’s retail scene.

2 NEW STREET STATION AND GRAND CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM

New Street train station is set to reopen in September after a £650m redevelopment.

This will also coincide with the opening of Grand Central Birmingham – a retail and leisure complex comprising 40 shops, including the flagship John Lewis store, and 20 restaurants above the station.

More than 50 million people are expected to pass through the station and shopping centre every year. Some of these visitors will take advantage of the improved transport links to extend their shopping trip to the Jewellery Quarter.

newstreetnewstart.co.uk

3 PARADISE

The £500m redevelopment of Paradise, formerly Paradise Circus, began in January. This 10-year project will transform a 17-acre site around Chamberlain Square.

The finished scheme will provide new public areas and walkways, as well as up to 10 new buildings for retail, leisure and commercial use.

Phase one of the project will see the road directly outside of University College Birmingham’s Summer Row campus become pedestrianised. This will lead to a walkway across Great Charles Street to create better access between the Jewellery Quarter and Chamberlain Square.

paradisebirmingham.co.uk

4 SNOW HILL MASTERPLAN

Dubbed “Birmingham’s Canary Wharf”, the £600m Snow Hill Masterplan will introduce 2.2 million sq ft of new office space, 4,000 homes, and improve transport links within the Snow Hill and Colmore Row areas of the city.

The 20-year masterplan includes major changes to roads and a significant redevelopment of Snow Hill station. It will also see the transformation of the A38, to create a new boulevard connecting the neighbouring Jewellery and Gun Quarters.

birmingham.gov.uk/snowhillmasterplan

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Precious metal casting company Weston Beamor was the first jewellery manufacturing firm in the UK to invest in 3D printing technology. Ed Hole, head

of CAD design & 3D printing, explains how the investment has paid off.

Weston Beamor on Vyse Street has been casting precious metals since 1947. The

company casts metal and creates bespoke pieces for the whole spectrum of the jewellery trade, from students in the Jewellery Quarter to high-end designers on Bond Street.

In 2000, it became the first company in the UK to invest in a 3D printer and to use CAD (computer-aided design) software for jewellery manufacturing. At the time, only the big hitters in Europe, such as Cartier, used this process and, at more than £200,000, the printer was a huge investment for a small, family-run business in Birmingham.

While the use of CAD and 3D printing in the jewellery industry has grown over the past few years, the equipment helped put Weston Beamor at the forefront of its sector.

Ed Hole, head of CAD design & 3D printing, said: “Before CAD and 3D printing, the master pattern for a design was handmade. It was a highly skilful job but could be very time consuming, and any modifications to the design would usually mean starting again from scratch.

“Now our 3D printers create a resin model, which we use to check that the design is correct and that our stone setters are happy the stones will fit. If it’s not right, it’s easy enough to edit the CAD model and reprint before it’s cast into metal. Ultimately, CAD improves the quality of the master pattern and the process of making jewellery becomes more efficient and cost effective.

“Our 3D printing service for companies that have an in-house CAD designer has allowed us to expand our customer base. We now work with clients from around the world and communicate easily within the digital space. We also have a 3D scanner, which is an exciting piece of kit. Once you’ve scanned an item, you can resize or alter the design to create something new. We use this regularly to create perfectly fitting wedding rings for customers by 3D scanning the engagement ring.

“These new technologies are sometimes blamed for the loss of traditional skills, but goldsmiths and stone setters will always be vital in the jewellery making process – it’s a perfect marriage of cutting-edge technology and age-old craftsmanship.”

A M O D E L O F

EXCELLENCE

INNOVATION


Meet a selection of our creative crowd

How would you describe your style of photography?

We are self-taught photographers, fast becoming known for our creative portraiture and documentation of our urban surroundings. We choose industrial and abandoned locations and apply a cinematic touch to our photography. We aim to create an eye-catching style that plays with light between subjects and we think this differentiates our work from others.

Do you have a favourite photograph from your portfolio?

It would be too difficult to pick just one. Working with people is always fascinating and every client brings something special and different to a shoot. We enjoy capturing the obvious characteristics of an individual, but if a photograph captures something new about the person – a hidden, quieter trait if you like – then our job becomes very special.

You’ve just celebrated your first year of business. How have the past 12 months been?

We opened our studio in Vyse Street in April 2014 and the space has allowed us to create a comfortable environment for our clients, while giving us the opportunity to concentrate on the brief.

It’s been a busy year; we’ve enjoyed making new contacts and seeing the studio’s profile grow. We couldn’t have done it without all the supportive people we have met in Birmingham.

Why did you choose the Jewellery Quarter?

Birmingham is wonderfully diverse, with an incredible manufacturing and industrial heritage. The city is vibrant and forward thinking, with a young, creative population and we find it inspiring to photograph and document it. We love the Jewellery Quarter. There are lots of creative people living and working here and we wanted to be part of that.

P H O T O G R A P H Y

Marta Kochanek & Barbara GibsonCo-founders of Gibson Kochanek Studio

QUARTERlife showcases Gibson Kochanek’s unique style through the portraits in this creative feature.

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ibson Kochanek Studio


Why do businesses need PR?

PR can be instrumental in everything from launching a new product in the market, raising awareness and profile, driving traffic in-store or online and, of course, managing and enhancing reputation. PR is also one of the most cost-effective ways to deliver stories and brand messages in the appropriate environment.

How has your role evolved to meet clients’ changing needs?

We’re developing much more content for clients in the form of story-telling, experiential activity and videos and this feeds both PR and social media. We’re also identifying who the most effective influencers for our clients are online and then engaging with them. We spend lots of time looking at consumer insights, too, because this helps us to develop our ideas. We believe the most effective campaigns are those based on human truths.

Tell us a bit about the company:

The company was launched 14 years ago under the name S&X and the team at the time launched The Mailbox, Selfridges, Louis Vuitton, and Urban Outfitters in the city, to name just a few. I joined the business in 2005, which also marked a new direction for the business.

Today, we specialise in the consumer sport and lifestyle sector and our clients include New Balance, Speedo, The Fort and Motionhouse. We rebranded as Gung Ho in 2013. While the core competency of the business is PR, we are now providing full service communications.

Congratulations on your recent contract win with Garmin. What attracts these big clients to work with Gung Ho?

I think it’s down to three things: our expertise in sport and lifestyle, our creative approach and our focus on results. Contrary to popular belief, Gung Ho actually means ‘work together’ and it’s this collaborative approach that is at the core of our successful, long and prosperous client relationships.

P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S

Paul PhedonManaging director of Gung Ho

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We’re also doing a lot of work in Coventry. Charter House, a 14th century monastery has just been awarded a £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant and other HLF grants have been awarded to Drapers Hall, an £8m music and performance centre we are completing for Coventry University and Alan Edward Higgs charity. This sort of work is a joy.

What’s your favourite iconic building and why?

My favourite structure in the Jewellery Quarter is the huge skew railway arch over the canal on Livery Street. This length of track was built by the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway (OWWR), a shell company for Great Western Railway (GWR). GWR’s design means Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and the big spans by Snow Hill, march on into a huge tunnel that our offices sit atop.

Give us a brief history of the company:

PCPT was set up as a partnership more than 50 years ago. Throughout that time we have established an excellent reputation with a long track record of success, all demonstrated by numerous awards gained over the years. Our expertise is across the board – anything that requires a high level of design. Locally, we specialise in the refurbishment of listed buildings.

What projects are you working on in the region?

One of our specialities is working with Trusts and community groups to deliver projects, particular in heritage areas. Authorities are increasingly less able to invest and seem to have less time to understand what the people who visit, or live and work in, a place actually find important. For the Jewellery Quarter, PCPT was able to submit the successful first round Townscape Heritage bid, which might see as much as £10 million invested in the area.

A R C H I T E C T

David MahonyPCPT Architects

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You work with some big clients. What attracts them to work with Fluid?

We have the right elements in place: we have built a standout client list; we have rare in-house talent; and we have always delivered inspiring work that meets the brief. Our team is deliberately built from fans of the brands we work on. We have all been promoters, musicians, artists, film-nerds or gamers at some point (and many of us are still!). We also have solid relationships with long-standing clients, so business is always moving.

What are the latest trends in design/digital?

Clients are starting to appreciate the relationship between entertainment brands across sectors. The transmission between music, film, and gaming can be harnessed to huge effect. We’re increasingly injecting flair in to website content while the designs focus on elegance and robustness. Our entertainment brand clients are pushing us towards technologies that enable rich experiences, such as touch screen interfaces and virtual reality.

Tell us a bit about the company:

Fluid is a creative agency that works with entertainment brands in film, music and gaming, such as SEGA, Sony Music and Warner Bros. We also help brands in other sectors to deliver highly visual, rich experiences. We have been operational 20 years: 10 years in JQ and 10 years before that in Digbeth. The JQ feels like a natural home and we have just bought the unit next door to our current base on Tenby St to house our newest venture, Fluid Digital.

What’s the latest news from your business?

We launched Fluid Digital just over a year ago. Andrew Bowyer heads it and he’s leading the business into areas we weren’t previously working in, such as beacons and touch screen kiosks. At the end of last year, Nick Brandum joined us as comms manager and he is focused on unearthing new opportunities.

D E S I G N & D I G I TA L AG E N C Y

James Glover & Andrew Bowyer Creative director and digital director of Fluid

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What projects are you working on?

We’ve just launched the second watch in our series with Morgan Motor Company, which we run alongside our bespoke projects. The watches we design and make for Morgan are the only pieces we make multiples of at the moment, and even then we hand build every one to order, so they’re all unique. The majority of our work comes from clients wanting a unique watch built to their specifications. Our clients love knowing they are the only person in the world wearing their watch.

Where does the inspiration for your watches come from?

We trained as vintage and antique watch restorers, so we take a lot of inspiration from traditional craftsmanship. Rebecca started out as a jeweller, so fine jewellery has a heavy influence on our work, too. There’s a quality and soul to handmade objects that are often lost in modern mass production. Seeing the way it used to be inspires where we strive to be.

Rebecca, congratulations on being named one of Retail Jeweller magazine’s top 30 stars of the watch and jewellery industry, under the age of 30. How did you get into watchmaking?

Craig and I met at the School of Jewellery, where I started as a jeweller and silversmith in 2003, before joining Craig on the horology course in 2005. We’ve both always had a love of engineering, design and working with our hands. Discovering watchmaking was a perfect way to combine the subjects we love.

You have a shop in London but a workshop in the Jewellery Quarter. How does this work for your business?

London has always played an intrinsic role in Birmingham’s luxury manufacturing sector by providing the centre for retail. We’re opening our first showroom in South Kensington in May, which is the perfect place to access our market, but, when it comes to accessing the skills you need to make fine jewellery, watches and silver you still can’t beat Birmingham.

D E S I G N E R M A K E R S

Craig & Rebecca StruthersOwners of watchmakers Struthers London

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A R C H I T E C T S

3DReid3dreid.com

Abacus Architects abacusarchitects.co.uk

ADPadp-architecture.com

Align Architecture Ltdalign-architecture.co.uk

Archi-tektarchi-tekt.co.uk

Axis Design Architectsaxisdesignarchitects.com

B + G Architectsbandgarchitects.com

BHP Design bhp-design.co.uk

Bignell Shacklady Ewingbignellshackladyewing.com

BPN Architectsbryantpriestnewman.com

Brophy Riaz & Partners brp.uk.net

Cadz cadz.org.uk

Chetwoods Architectschetwoods.com

Darlington Stephen11 Key Hill Drive

Daniel Hurd Associates danielhurdassociates.com

David Plant Architecturedaparchitecture.co.uk

David Wilson Partnership Limiteddavidwilsonpartnership.co.uk

Design Space 2Room 408F, The Big Peg

Glancy Nichollsglancynicholls.com

I M B ArchitectsBranston Course, Branston Street

K3 Consulting30, St Paul’s Square

Khoury Architects khouryarchitects.co.uk

PCPT Architectspcptarchitects.co.uk

Pinnegar Hayward Designp-h-d.co.uk

St Paul’s Associatesstpaulsassociates.co.uk

Troyka Associatestroyka-associates.com

Weedon Architectsweedonpartnership.co.uk

D E S I G N & D I G I T A L A G E N C I E S

383 Project383project.com

5874 Design5874.co.uk

Align&Pull alignandpull.com

Barques barques.co.uk

BHD Creativebhdcreative.co.uk

Big Cat Groupbigcatgroup.co.uk

The Blue Cubethebluecube.com

Bootcamp Media Ltdbootcampmedia.co.uk

Clevercherryclevercherry.com

Dotcom Development dotcomdevelopment.com

Fluidfluidesign.co.uk

Homer Creativehomercreative.com

IE Design iedesign.co.uk

iomediaiomedia.co.uk

Jones and Palmerjonesandpalmer.co.uk

Kimberley-Jane Designgraphicdesign-birmingham.co.uk

Levellslevellsdesign.com

Lifelifeagency.co.uk

Made Mediamademedia.co.uk

MetAppsmetapps.co.uk

Morse-Brown Designmorsebrowndesign.co.uk

Plan b Creativeplanb-creative.co.uk

Quench quenchdesign.co.uk

Sixth Storysixthstory.co.uk

Sodasodadesign.co.uk

Strategy Plusstrategy-plus.net

Studiografikstudiografik.co.uk

Substraktsubstrakt.co.uk

Supercoolsupercooldesign.co.uk

Switchweareswitch.com

TYTO Creativetytocreative.co.uk

WM Creative wmcreative.com

Wow Internetwowinternet.co.uk

Z3/Studiodesignbyz3.com

D E S I G N E R M A K E R S

Alice Gow Designsalicegowdesigns.com

Anna de Villedeville.fsnet.co.uk

Artfull Expressionartfullexpression.co.uk

Becca Williamsbeccawilliams.co.uk

BEO Londonbeo.london

Bickerton Jewellerybickertonjewellery.com

Centrepiececentrepiece-jewellery.com

Charlotte Lowecharlottelowe.co.uk

Creative Watch Co.creativewatch.co.uk

Estelle Jewelleryestellejewellery.com


Fei Liufeiliu.co.uk

Fera Jewellery ferajewellery.com

Frilly Industriesfrillyindustries.com

Gladman & Normangladman-norman.co.uk

Gosia Weber Handmadebagshandmade.co.uk

Highly Strung Designs highlystrungdesigns.co.uk

Helen Leahelenleajewellery.co.uk

Jack Rowjackrow.comPens

JADjuliadavenportjewellery.com

Kevin Greykevingrey.co.ukSilversmith

Livtolivto.co.uk

Magnus & Bellamagnusandbella.co.uk

Michele Whitemichelewhite.com

Struthers Londonstruthers-london.co.ukWatchmakers

Tina Francis Tapestrytina-francis-tapestry.co.uk

The Quarterworkshopthequarterworkshop.com

I L L U S T R A T O R S & A R T I S T S

Alex Hughes Cartoonsalexhughescartoons.co.uk

GM Glass Designglass-monkey.co.ukSandblast engraving

RBSA Galleryrbsa.org.uk

Visionary Glassvisionaryglass.co.ukGlass art

F U R N I T U R E D E S I G N E R S

Glassdomain glassdomain.co.uk

JDD jddfurniture.com

Twin Designtwin-design.co.uk

I N T E R I O R A R C H I T E C T S & D E S I G N E R S

Hi Designhi-design.biz

John Evans Interior Architecture and Design Ltdjohnevansdesign.com

Monteith Scottmonteithscott.co.uk

The Space Studiothespacestudio.com

Spencer Swinden spencerswinden.com

Studio Ableweareable.uk.com

P H O T O G R A P H E R S

Alan Sharman Agency alansharmanagency.com Modelling agency

Aspire Studios aspiremakeover.com

Barrow Photographybarrow-photography.com

Cherry Pop Pictures17F Vyse Street

Garazi Photographygarazi.co.uk

Gary Price Photographygarypricephoto.co.uk

Gibson Kochanek Studiogibsonkochanek.com

Graeme Braidwood Photographygraemebraidwood.com

Ian Winstanley ianwinstanley.net

Jack Spicer Adamsjackspiceradams.com

Lee Allen Photography leeallenphotography.com

The Little Gem Wedding Company199 Warstone Lane

Magical Dream Studios8 Warstone Lane

Mesmerize Makeovermesmerizemakeover.co.uk

Nick Parsons Photographynickparsonsphotography.co.uk

Oakes Studiosoakesstudios.com

Ross Jukesrossjukesphoto.com

TipTop Photographytiptop-photography.com

TMA Studiotmastudio.co.uk

P R A G E N C I E S

Barques PRbarques.co.uk/pr

Fleet Street Communicationsfsc.uk.com

Get You Seengetyouseen.com

Gung Hogunghoco.com

Kinetickineticpr.co.uk

Rewired PRrewiredpr.com

Simon HarperRoom 734, The Big Peg

Spottydog Communicationsspottydogcommunications.com

Vitis PRvitispr.com

U R B A N D E S I G N E R S

Definewearedefine.com

Firafira-la.com

For a comprehensive list of creative companies based in the Jewellery Quarter, visit www.jewelleryquarter.net/creative


I’m really enjoying rediscovering the area and unearthing new gems.

TAPESTRY MAKER TINA FRANCIS RECENTLY MOVED BACK TO

BIRMINGHAM AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS AWAY FROM THE CITY.

SHE NOW LIVES IN THE BADGE WORKS DEVELOPMENT, IN TENBY

STREET, WHICH COMPRISES SEVEN LOFT HOUSES, A PENTHOUSE

APARTMENT, AND WORKSPACES.

I also like to visit Harry Smith’s ironmongers shop on Hockley Hill; he always gives me fantastic advice on how to hang my pieces.

It’s inspiring to be living and working within a creative community where traditional skills are still being used.

Since moving back to the Jewellery Quarter, I’m really enjoying rediscovering the area and unearthing new gems.

I left Birmingham as a know-it-all teenager and have returned as a 40-something woman who stitches for a living.

I run my own company – Tina Francis Tapestry – and my loft house in The Badge Works gives me the opportunity to work and live in one place.

The windows are large and south facing, which let in lots of light, creating the perfect conditions for working on my tapestries.

My favourite walk is through Warstone Cemetery, up around Hylton Street, and through the (not so) secret passageway that leads to Key Hill Cemetery.

For more information about the space available at The Badge Works, contact Kathryn Molloy of Maguire Jackson ([email protected] / 0121 634 1520).


CRAFTING CAREERS FOR 125 YEARS

As the School of Jewellery celebrates 125 years, QUARTERlife meets students from past and

present to hear how the courses on offer have helped them craft a successful career.

Aaron Cumbers, aged 20 from Devon, is in the final year of a two-year HND in Jewellery and Silversmithing.

“I’ve always been quite inquisitive about how things are made. The course has allowed me to learn traditional skills, such as stone setting and making master patterns, as well as use modern technologies, such as laser welding CAD programmes and CAM,” said Aaron.

“I applied to the School of Jewellery because I had heard it was the best. I was impressed with the building and its facilities but, after my interview at the school, I walked around the Jewellery Quarter and I instantly knew it was the place for me.

“For our most recent project, everyone in the group was given a brief to make a set of six jewellery items that would be of a high enough quality to sell to the public. I’ve really enjoyed using CAD to create my designs and seeing them brought to life at the work bench.

“I have now applied to the Design for Industry BA course to undertake a third year top-up degree. I would then like to work in the industry for a few years before pursuing my ultimate goal of setting up my own design business.”

The School of Jewellery has as much significance today as it did when it first

opened in 1890. That was the year that the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association, now the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA), opened the exclusive school for the jewellery making industry in a factory building on Vittoria Street. Still situated on the same site and having undergone extensive development and refurbishment, the school continues to focus on excellence in education and training.

Now part of Birmingham City University (BCU), students can chose from an unrivalled portfolio of courses including jewellery, silversmithing, horology and gemmology, and have the full range of traditional techniques and cutting-edge technology at their disposal.

The school also benefits from the close proximity of BCU’s Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC), which offers expertise in industry related techniques such as: computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), rapid prototyping and laser technology.


The course has allowed me to learn traditional skills as well as moderntechnologies

AARON CUMBERS

QUARTERlife ISSUE SIX 15

ALUMNI ELITE

More of the school’s alumni credit the School of Jewellery for helping

launch their careers:

Award-winning artisan and goldsmith Jack Row attended from 2005 to 2009. He did a HND in Jewellery and Silversmithing and BA (Hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing: Design for Industry. Jack now designs and creates elegant writing instruments and accessories.

“The courses offered a good mix of traditional skills, applied technology and

practical design.”

David-Louis Hendley, owner of Gifts of Distinction on Warstone Lane, did a two-year HND course in Design Crafts, specialising in

silversmithing.

“The course empowered me with silversmithing, jewellery

making and design skills, as well as opened up and

established my initial contacts in the jewellery trade.”

As part of the School of Jewellery’s 125th year celebrations, it is

looking for stories from its alumni. Many former students have gone on to become famous in the world of jewellery, pen making, silversmithing and horology, and many have set up businesses in the Jewellery Quarter.

Renowned jewellery designers Fei Liu and James Newman both trained at the school. James Newman (pictured below, left), who owns a shop on Vyse Street, graduated with a BA Honours in Jewellery and Silversmithing in 1997.

James said: “The Jewellery Quarter is without doubt the best place in the UK for accessibility and convenience for the jewellery trade. The course taught me great analytical skills and opened my eyes to how to really see, analyse and understand design. It helped me to kick-start a career that is challenging but rewarding.”

The school introduced a new course, BA (Hons) Horology, in September 2012. Rosie Kirk, aged 26 from Kent, is now in her third and final year of this groundbreaking degree, which was written with advice from Cartier UK, the British Horological

The school has organised an extensive list of exhibitions, lectures and events to celebrate its important milestone. Details are available at: www.bcu.ac.uk/jewellery/news-and-events/celebrating-125-years

Institute (BHI), and the Curator of the British Museum Horology Department, David Thompson.

Rosie said: “As part of the course, we have been tasked to find the faults with watches and clocks and repair them, as well as building a clock from scratch for our final project. I’ve learnt a lot about the inner workings of clocks and watches in such a short space of time and I’m learning something new every day.”

Award-winning watchmakers Rebecca and Craig Struthers (pictured below, right) are founding directors of Struthers London, which has a workshop on Spencer Street. Between them, they have spent nine years studying at the School of Jewellery and both took a BHI Horology course.

Craig said: “My tutor, Paul Thurlby, had a huge amount of experience in vintage and antique watch restoration. He certainly inspired me as I’ve been doing this ever since!”

“I’ve always been torn between my love of art and science but, before discovering watchmaking, I hadn’t realised there was a career out there that could combine the two,” added Rebecca. Read more about the company in the creative supplement.


The School of Jewellery kick-started its 125th anniversary celebrations by inviting local businesses,

and students past and present, to a fascinating talk on the Staffordshire Hoard.

Pieta Greaves, senior conservationist at Birmingham Museums Trust, discussed one of the world’s largest collections of Anglo-Saxon gold, which was found in a field near the village of Hammerwich in Staffordshire.

SCHOOL OF JEWELLERY CELEBRATES ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

Afterwards, guests joined Gaynor Andrews, head of the School of Jewellery, and former BBC newsreader Kay Alexander to raise a toast to the school’s successful past and promising future.

(left) Pieta Greaves talks about the Staffordshire Hoard; (centre) local businesses were invited to celebrate the school’s milestone; (right) Kay Alexander and Gaynor Andrews toast the school’s success.

Plans for the reinvention of the Standard Works building on Vittoria Street were revealed to

members of Birmingham’s business community during an event at the city’s Council House.

Guests heard Glasshouse College’s plans to transform the four-storey Grade II listed building, which has been empty for 20 years, into a facility that will provide educational opportunities for young people with learning difficulties.

(main) l-r: Janine Christley, Laurence Leader, Mark Rodgers, Paul Gawdan, Aonghus Gordon and Elisabeth Johnson from Ruskin Mill Trust; (top, right) l-r: Sue Anderson, Dr William Southall, Janine Christley and

Luke Crane; (bottom, right) students Georgina Davis and Bradley Timmins.

RUSKIN MILL TRUST’S VISION FOR THE STANDARD WORKS

Aonghus Gordon, executive chair of the trustees and the founder of Ruskin Mill Trust, which owns Glasshouse College, explained that the building work was progressing well ahead of the grand opening in September.

The New Standard Works will have capacity for up to 90 students and will contain The Hive Café, which has its own bakery, the Arcadia Biodynamic Roof Garden, Argent College, and a community events space.

Photos: Dave W

arren


The Coffin Works in Fleet Street opened its doors in October 2014. As part of the £1.6 million restoration project carried out by the Birmingham Conservation Trust (BCT), the former coffin fittings factory – now home to the Newman Brothers heritage attraction – also has a courtyard area with seven workspaces designed for small businesses. The units, which are now fully occupied, have allowed the following businesses to flourish in a unique setting.

THE QUARTER WORKSHOPAward-winning silversmith Victoria Delany has relocated her studio from Hylton Street to The Courtyard. The Quarter Workshop creates and personalises handmade wedding, civil partnership and engagement rings, silverware and other jewellery items. For something extra special, couples attend a jewellery-making workshop to make their own rings. thequarterworkshop.com

CITY YOGA“Yoga for all” is Matty Wag’s philosophy. He has opened his new studio at The Coffin Works, which offers a variety of yoga and wellbeing classes for all levels of ability, from beginner to advanced yogi. Matty offers Sun Power Yoga, an eclectic mix of three styles: Dynamic Hatha, Sivananda Yoga and Astanga Vinyasa.cityyogabirmingham.co.uk

ILIRA EXPRESSIVE ARTSIlira offers expressive art experiences and counselling for individuals and groups searching for personal, professional, and spiritual development. The Coffin Works is ideal for expressive arts counsellor Lisa because it allows clients to connect with the local community in both the past and the present. ilira.co.uk

KHOURY ARCHITECTSKhoury Architects has been designing contemporary and sustainable buildings across the UK since 2005. As well as finding creative solutions for commercial and residential clients, the practice specialises in new-build homes and domestic refurbishments. Thanks to its sister company, KADB, these projects can be constructed under one umbrella organisation, giving cost and quality benefits. khouryarchitects.co.uk / kadb.construction

LEVELLSLevells design consultancy creates beautiful work across brand, print and digital media, which communicates effectively, emotionally and creatively in equal measure. It builds the bridge that connects business to its audience. levellsdesign.com

BIRMINGHAM CONSERVATION TRUSTThe Trust that was responsible for renovating and restoring The Coffin Works has now relocated to The Courtyard from Lancaster Circus Queensway. The Trust was set up in 1977 to preserve Birmingham’s architectural heritage. Where better to promote historical understanding than in the Grade II* listed factory it reopened?birminghamconservationtrust.org

THE COFFIN WORKSThe Coffin Works team, who run the Newman Brothers heritage attraction and look after the commercial spaces, occupy the seventh unit. Three staff and more than 40 volunteers share the office between them, providing guided tours six days a week, studying and looking after the collection, and researching the history of the company.coffinworks.org

THE COURTYARD AT THE

COFFIN WORKS, AN AREA

COMPRISING SEVEN UNITS

FOR START-UP AND SMALL,

ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES,

IS NOW FULLY OCCUPIED.

QUARTERlife TAKES A LOOK

AT THE TENANTS.

APERFECTFIT


Warstone Lane and Key Hill cemeteries, along with St Paul’s churchyard, are the only significant green

spaces in the Jewellery Quarter. Birmingham City Council (BCC) believes the cemeteries are under valued and under used, so it is looking to secure funding for improvements to both sites to restore some of their past splendour.

Did you know that in the Victorian times the cemeteries were dramatic spaces created out of former quarries? They were seen as parks, with many paths and pleasant views. Charles Edge designed Key Hill Cemetery in 1836, while Warstone Lane Cemetery was built in 1848. The catacombs at Warstone Lane formed an amphitheatre that linked to the cemetery chapel, creating a particularly dramatic focus.

Although the chapels at both sites have been demolished, the aim of the restoration project is to restore the cemeteries and encourage more people to use and enjoy the spaces. At Warstone Lane, the railings around the cemetery will be restored to their historic pattern and a new focal feature will be created using the footprint of the former chapel. In both cemeteries, there will be improvements to paths and drainage.

If you’d like to get involved with this unique opportunity to transform the Jewellery Quarter’s cemeteries, email Simon Buteux, BCT director, at [email protected].

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and BCC have already invested more than £100,000 in developing the project and a bid for just under £2 million will be submitted to the HLF in June. The bid is being co-ordinated by Birmingham Conservation Trust (BCT) on behalf of the council. If successful, the project will include funding for activities in the cemeteries and for the appointment of a project manager.

G R A V EE X P E C T A T I O N S

QUARTERlife reveals Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) plans to bring life back to the Jewellery

Quarter’s cemeteries.

A new focal feature will be created at Warstone Lane Cemetery


McIntyre House, UCB’s new Jewellery Quarter campus, comprises cutting-edge, environmentally friendly design.


QUARTERlife explores University College

Birmingham’s (UCB) new campus on Holland Street.

THE

FACTOR

Phase one of McIntyre House, a purpose-built centre for

undergraduate and postgraduate study on Holland Street, was completed in

September last year, ready for the new term. The building, which accommodates up

to 2,500 students and a team of 35 staff over three floors, was named after the former UCB principal Eddie McIntyre, who led the institution from 1983 to 2008.

Funded by UCB, the new campus certainly has the ‘wow’ factor, with its stunning visual appearance – including a bold colour scheme, exposed concrete surfaces, stone tiling and a dramatic wooden feature wall – underpinned by the latest technology, a high specification fit out, impressive functionality and a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly design.

The ground floor has two key areas – ThinkSpace and EatSpace. ThinkSpace comprises a series of different workspaces for student study. The range of furniture and seating suits both group work and individual study,

and there are plenty of computers available. In the chill-out areas, students can relax and watch one of the large flat-screen TVs or catch up with emails on their laptops or tablets.

EatSpace is where you’ll find the café, which serves freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks throughout the day. There’s also a Starbucks. Opposite the café is an enclosed, landscaped courtyard, providing a peaceful, open-air seating area.

The Edward Pargeter Suite, a dedicated study centre for postgraduates, is on the first floor. The flagship suite is named in honour of Edward, a highly respected lecturer and manager of business and marketing programmes at UCB, who died of leukaemia in 2008.

It contains areas designed for individual study as well as group work.

There is access to banks of computers, and high-backed booths provide a quiet, private setting for study discussions or for meeting tutors.

A business-style lounge area, like you might find in an airport, is fitted with relaxing chairs and table lamps. The first floor also has two fully equipped 126-seat lecture theatres and a range of teaching rooms.

A 250-seat lecture theatre on the second floor, which is named after a former UCB finance lecturer, Brendan Carroll, is the college’s biggest teaching space.

This floor also has seminar rooms, private tutorial meeting rooms, an IT room, staff offices and tea room, plus a shower room.

Finally, a rooftop garden provides an open-air terrace with seating, planting and a water feature. It is open to staff and students and boasts panoramic views across the city centre.

Discussions are ongoing with Birmingham City Council for phase two, a new development dedicated to UCB’s further education, post-16 provision.


A weekend of events that celebrate the diversity and creativity of the Jewellery Quarter is taking place in July at the first JQ Festival.

Organised by the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID), the festival, which officially marks the opening of The

Golden Square, will give visitors the chance to go behind the scenes to see the wide variety of creative work that takes place

across the Quarter.As part of this fun-filled event, which runs from

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July, you can take a look at some of the brilliant industries that have their home

here, including graphic designers, sculptors, glass makers and etchers, film makers, photographers,

jewellery makers, game designers, and 3D printers.There will also be a whole host of family-

friendly activities, including old school games, helter-skelter, photo booths, face painting and workshops, plus plenty of free outdoor performances, featuring musicians, bands, theatre and dance troupes, at The Golden Square and St Paul’s Square.

The JQ Grand Bazaar event will bring together vintage and crafts, while JQ StrEAT Market will showcase the best of the JQ independent food scene.

JQBID has also worked with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to host Ask An Architect on the Golden Square, as part of the four-month-long Love Architecture Festival, which is coming to Birmingham in June.

Jazz fans will also be well catered for when the JQ’s Birmingham Jazz premiere their Jazz Legends programme, which will feature performances by more than a dozen international jazz artists and bands across a number of locations, all of which

will soon be revealed.Guided tours will give you the chance to learn about the history of this fascinating area,

while beer lovers can enjoy our CAMRA-endorsed Real Ale Trail.And if you haven’t visited the museums in the JQ, the festival will give you the perfect

excuse. The Pen Museum is to hold calligraphy classes and you can enjoy a tea party at the historic Coffin Works. J.W Evans Silver factory is also opening on Sunday 19th, but you will

need to book in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.

If you’re a Jewellery Quarter business and want to get involved please email us at [email protected].

Join us for the first JQ Festival!

CELEBRATE JQ’S RICH HERITAGE AND HISTORY – AS WELL AS ITS REPUTATION FOR CREATIVE FLAIR – AT THIS UNIQUE SUMMER EVENT

SUPPORTED BY:


Sherrie Phelps, co-owner of Lily Jones Flowers in Augusta Street, will represent the West Midlands at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show

after winning the regional heat.Sherrie’s brief was to make an Asian-inspired cake design purely from

fresh flowers and foliage. She scored 92 out of 100 to become the winner for the West Midlands. It was also the highest score in the UK.

Winners from all over the UK and Ireland will join Sherrie at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

The Jewellery Quarter has been renamed Zhu Li Bao Cheng (茱莉宝城), ‘a place filled with treasures’, by the Chinese

community, as part of VisitBritain’s great names campaign.To celebrate Chinese New Year, 101 points of interest in the UK,

including famous British places, landmarks and people, were given a Chinese name.

Names include Shang De Le Ta, meaning ‘a tower allowing us to pluck stars from the sky’, for The Shard in London, and Yong Heng Zhi Ji, ‘wall of eternity’ for Hadrian’s Wall in the north of England.

This fun initiative saw thousands of Chinese people vote for their favourite names. The Jewellery Quarter will embrace the new Mandarin name in the hope that it will encourage Chinese visitors to explore the area’s heritage, as well as its many restaurants, bars and independent shops.

For all the details on what’s on locally visit jewelleryquarter.net/whatson

To tell us about an event email [email protected]

FLORIST FLIES HIGH WITH BIRD DESIGN

JEWELLERY QUARTER ‘TREASURED’ BY THE CHINESE COMMUNITY

Photo: BFA

july

BIRMINGHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL8th-11th, St Paul’s Square and Golden Square

BIRMINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEKEND10th-12th, Various Jewellery Quarter locations

JQ FESTIVAL (SEE PAGE 22)17th-19th, Various Jewellery Quarter locations

JQ GRAND BAZAAR18th, Golden Square

august

GAME OVER EXHIBITION BY TRANSIENT-ART

28th April until 24th July, The Coffin Works

june

JQ BIG BIKE DAY25th, Golden Square

JQ StrEAT MARKET25th, Golden Square

JQ CRAFT FAIR25th, Golden Square

QUARTERlife ISSUE SIX 23

2 01 5

Open StudiosJQ Grand BazaarJQ StrEAT MarketAsk An Architect�eatre & Dance PerformancesLive MusicHelter Skelter

A unique event to celebrate the rich culture, creative �air & history of the Jewellery Quarter

GOLDEN SQUARE ST PAUL’S SQUAREWarstone Lane, Birmingham

B18 6NABirminghamB3 1QZ

www.jewelleryquarter.net/jq-festival @JQBID/jqdtbirmingham

Quarter Life - Issue 6

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