Jewellery Quarter Cultural Action Zone

Between 2021 and 2023, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) led a programme of work to better understand the Quarter’s challenges, opportunities and future potential.

Funded through the Jewellery Quarter Cultural Action Zone (CAZ), this work focused on the area’s industrial future, public realm and long-term growth.

Jewellery Quarter Industry Cluster Research 2021 – 2023

In 2022, JQDT commissioned Birmingham City University to carry out research into the Jewellery Quarter’s industrial cluster, building on earlier work first undertaken in 2016.

The aim was to understand what the sector needs to survive and grow and whether a new Industry Hub could help support that future.

The research identified several key challenges:

Acute skills shortages
Falling apprenticeship numbers
Weak links to education and training routes
Lack of affordable grow-on space
No single voice representing the wider industry

There was also strong support for the creation of a Jewellery Quarter Industry Hub – a practical, industry-led body that could help businesses collaborate, grow and attract future talent.

Proposed priorities included:

practical bench and hand-skills training
support for start-ups and small businesses
stronger links with schools, colleges and universities
a more joined-up voice for the sector
better promotion of the Quarter’s industrial identity

Jewellery quarter visions 2021 – 2023

Three visions for the jewellery quarter

Alongside the industry research, JQDT also led a community-led visioning process for three key parts of the Quarter.

Working with local stakeholders, the project explored how three areas could be improved over time to better support businesses, residents and visitors. The areas are:

Chartists
JQ Common
Great Hampton Street

Visions for these areas looked at how the Jewellery Quarter could become greener, better connected and more welcoming, while still protecting what makes it distinctive.

Themes included:

improved public realm | more greenery and outdoor space | better walking and cycling connections | stronger links between heritage, culture and local economy

Outcomes

Developing clearer visions for the Jewellery Quarter helped:

build a clearer picture of the Jewellery Quarter’s needs
create a stronger case for future funding and investment
support the ambitions of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan
bring together businesses, residents and partners around shared priorities

The project also helped strengthen the case for future projects linked to industry support, place-making and the visitor economy.