Architects compete for Jewellery Quarter development
Jan 2 2009 by Emma McKinney, Birmingham Post

Architects have entered a battle for a contract to design a new £1.5million public square in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Bosses have been flooded with designs by more than 100 architects from the UK, Poland, Italy, France, the Netherlands and Australia.

It is hoped the "golden square", to replace the car park in front of the Big Peg office block in Vyse Street, will provide a meeting point and area to stage big events. It is one of the first new projects developed as part of Birmingham City Council's Big City Plan aimed at transforming the area over 25 years.

An expert panel will whittle the bidders down to a shortlist of six, and each company will be asked to develop their design in detail and participate in community workshops, before a winner is chosen and final design agreed this year.

The panel includes Ruth Reed, president elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects; Andrew Taylor, founding partner of Patel Taylor Landscape Architecture practice and Professor Kathryn Moore, past president of the Landscape Institute.

Neville Summerfield, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "I am delighted we have attracted such a response from applicants who want to work with us in turning our vision into reality. The Jewellery Quarter is a wonderful asset, with its development one of the key early priorities of the Big City Plan. The Golden Square will provide a centrepiece to a unique area, as important a component of the city's development as New Street Station."

Birmingham Jewellery Quarter bucks trend during economic gloom
Dec 15 2008 by Anna Blackaby, Birmingham Post

Despite the darkening mood on the rest of the high street, retailers and jewellery firms in the Jewellery Quarter are offering a gleam of light in the run-up to Christmas.

Chris Green is probably one of the few people in the retail sector to be indulging in a bit of festive cheer this December.
The director of Jewellery Quarter-based manufacturing jeweller Crystalink has seen business levels hold up at similar levels to this time last year, not ideal in the grand scheme of things but quite impressive given the figures from the rest of the retail sector.
And through his conversations with other jewellery businesses he comes into contact with as part of his role of director at the Jewellery Quarter Marketing Initiative, it seems his experience is not unique.
'For the last few weeks it has not been too bad, I have to say.'
'As far as the Jewellery Quarter goes, it's not as bad as everybody is making the rest of the retail sector out to be. We seem to be bucking the trend.'
He puts the resilience down to the fact that investors are increasingly fleeing to the security of gold and other precious metals as a safe place to keep their money.
'People have less confidence in property and banks as well as stocks and shares and seem to be happy putting their money into something more tangible like diamonds and gold.'
'But as well as buying jewellery as an investment, it's also something that they can wear and enjoy.'
But Mr Green's upbeat assessment does not mean he is complacent about the future. 'I'm just praying it continues', he said.

Elsewhere in the industry the picture does not look too rosy.
Signet, owner of the H. Samuel and Ernest Jones brands, last month reported UK total sales down by 15 per cent in its third quarter.
Same-store sales were down by 2.4 per cent, with the last three weeks of the quarter down by some eight per cent.
Here in Birmingham, Michael Allchin, chief executive and assay master of the Birmingham Assay Office, said he was seeing a dip in the number of items sent for hallmarking, reflecting the downturn in the market.
'If you look at the hallmarking numbers - the units we are seeing coming through our doors, they are running at about 35 per cent lower than numbers for last year.
'Retailers are making their stock sweat and they are running on less stock and making the stock work harder and not replenishing it as fast.'
Elsewhere in the Jewellery Quarter Richard Sutton, director of manufacturer Charles Green & Son, said his company, which specialises in wedding rings, had been holding up reasonably well.
'People are still getting married and that's our bread and butter', said Mr Sutton.
But he added that although gold prices, which surged over the summer, had returned to roughly the same levels as a year ago, the weaker pound was starting to squeeze many firms. 'Concerning metals, gold is back to what it was a year ago but the change has been in the exchange rate and the fact that sterling has collapsed. So gold costs a lot more as we buy it in dollars.'
He said platinum was also causing difficulties owing to price fluctuations.
'A year ago it was $1500 an ounce, now it is $822 an ounce and during the summer it was up to $2000 an ounce. There's real volatility,' he said.
However there was one silver lining to the exchange rate problems.
'We have noticed imports ceasing to be the problem they were being, from countries like China and Thailand. They have to buy in dollars as well so they are suffering too.'

Brilliantly Birmingham - Free seminar and fabulous Christmas gifts in the Quarter

Brilliantly Birmingham launched last week and Flux, the festival's main selling exhibition takes place at the Birmingham School of Jewellery, just across the road on Vittoria Street, from now until the 21 December.

For 9 years Brilliantly Birmingham has lead the way in celebrating the best new and emerging contemporary designer maker talent from across the UK and around the world. At Flux you can pick up beautifully unique Christmas gifts, commission a one-off piece of jewellery or even treat yourself!

A free seminar "All that Glitters" takes place tonight at 6.30pm in the School of Jewellery. The discussion surrounds ethics and fair trade within the jewellery industry and guest speakers are Bristish journalist Lucy Siegle who you may have seen on Sky News or the Wright Stuff, jeweler to the stars Stephen Webster whose clients include Christina Aguilera and Madonna and ex-Harpers Bazaar features editor, Sharon Walker.

If you're interested in finding out more about the Jewellery Quarter's fascinating history there are a series of walking tours which offer a unique chance for you to get to grips with the heritage of your work place taking place on 6th, 13th and 20th December. For more information please call Prim Currie on 0121 464 1187.

For more information about Brilliantly Birmingham, including the full programme of activity, please visit www.brilliantlybirmingham.com

Jewellery Quarter scoops Great Neighbourhood Award!

The Jewellery Quarter scoops the Great Neighbourhood Award at the prestigious Academy of Urbanism awards in Liverpool.

The Jewellery Quarter was also presented with a poem entitled ‘Talking to somebody about the Jewellery Quarter’ by the well known poet Ian McMillan.

Talking to Somebody about the Jewellery Quarter, by Ian McMillan

This place shines. It really shines. Put that in your poem: it shines. I’m scribbling as fast as I can, but this place is many faceted, Like a jewel, you mean ? Very clever. Don’t forget: it flippin’ shines. It’s a kind of multi-faceted and gleaming and, yes, shining, asset To a city that’s already full to bursting with ideas and places Put this in your poem: it’s been here for two hundred years And have you mentioned The Big Peg ? Not yet but I will, I will, It was a place where jewellers with their gleaming faces ? Yes, if you like, gathered in this city..am I making myself clear ? It kind of moves, this places, it dances, it shimmies, it’s never still. Shimmers. I like that. That’s really helpful, thankyou very much. No, shimmies, mate; it dances, this place really moves and shines A bit like a jewel does; Thanks, thanks…It sparkles to your touch The Jewellery Quarter: craft and art and business meet. Sublime!

New Jewellery Quarter Salon!

Temptations Afro Caribbean and European Hair & Beauty have opened a salon on Pitsford St with over 20 years of experience they already have plans to expand in their present Jewellery Quarter site.

Deborah one of the two Temptations Partners told us that they are more than happy to give free consultations by appointment.

Temptations Present ...

13 Pitsford St, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6LJ
Tel: 0121 551 5770

Opened in November 2007, The Vaults is an exclusive addition to Birminghams restaurant scene. Situated in the heart of the city's up and coming Jewellery Quarter, the boutique-style bar and restaurant offers sumptuous up-market classic dishes, an extensive selection of wines, including leading champagnes, bottled beers, premium liqueurs and freshly prepared cocktails in a rustic, relaxed environment.

The Vaults also exhibits art works from contemporary artists and photographers from across the country.

Spring Fair Birmingham - 3-7 February 2008

Spring Fair Birmingham is the most prestigious jewellery showcase in the UK calendar.

Fine Jewellery, diamonds & gemstones: Hundreds of high quality international brands, manufacturers and designers create a glittering showcase to attract a modern retail audience. Designer Collections: A unique gathering of more than 60 British and International designer jewellers, some of the freshest talent in the industry.

Visit www.springfair.com