Activities
The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) is a self-funded organisation, supported through grants and led by a dedicated team of volunteers composed of local residents and business owners from the Jewellery Quarter.
Activities are chosen in collaboration with the local business community and are then organised and managed by the JQDT volunteers.
current activities
JQ Common Room
Transforming the Jewellery Quarter into a hub of creativity through workshops, events, and festivals.
JQ Neighbourhood Plan
A community-led framework that guides planning and development in the area, protecting its heritage while supporting thoughtful growth.
World Craft City Status
Leading the initiative to showcase the Jewellery Quarter on the global stage as a centre for craftsmanship.
Planning Committee
A community-led framework that guides planning and development in the area, protecting its heritage while supporting thoughtful growth.
Past activities
Since 2015, the JQDT has shaped the Jewellery Quarter through heritage, business, and cultural initiatives, including the JQ Cultural Action Zone, JQBID, Townscape Heritage, Cemeteries Project, and COVID recovery plan.
Read more about the JQDT’s past activities and the impact generated below.
JQ CULTURAL
ACTION ZONE
A Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP funded project which delivered a series of visions for key areas of the Jewellery Quarter and a business case for a jewellery biennial.
Funded by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the JQ Cultural Action Zone played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Jewellery Quarter. This initiative delivered a series of transformative visions for key areas of the Quarter, fostering creativity and innovation. Central to this project was the development of a business case for a Jewellery Biennial, aimed at establishing the Quarter as a global hub for contemporary jewellery, craftsmanship, and cultural events.
JEWELLERY QUARTER BUSINESS
IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (JQBID)
Established and led the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District for eight years, achieving a successful third term renewal.
The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust played a leading role in establishing the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) following the area’s first successful BID ballot in 2012. For a number of years, the BID was overseen by the JQDT Board of Directors and helped bring significant investment into the area, with more than £4.5 million generated through levy income and a further £4 million secured through partnerships. Since 2021, however, the two organisations have operated as separate entities. The JQDT remains focused on the wider long-term future of the area, while the JQBID is a separate levy-funded organisation dedicated to supporting local businesses and improving the day-to-day trading environment.
JEWELLERY QUARTER
TOWNSCAPE HERITAGE PROJECT
dedicated to preserving the Jewellery Quarter’s heritage through building restoration and community activities.
Preserving the historic charm of the Jewellery Quarter was central to the JQ Townscape Heritage project (JQTH). Funded by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, the JQTH focused on restoring key heritage buildings while fostering a deeper connection with the local community through educational and cultural activities, safeguarding the architectural legacy of the Jewellery Quarter for future generations.
JEWELLERY QUARTER
CEMETERIES PROJECT
Revitalising the Jewellery Quarter’s two historic cemeteries through restoration and engagement initiatives.
This project revitalised two of the Jewellery Quarter’s historic cemeteries, transforming them into spaces of reflection, history, and community engagement. Through extensive restoration work and innovative public involvement initiatives, the project has brought new life to these historic sites, highlighting their significance as cultural and heritage landmarks.
