Jewellery Quarter's New Lease of Life

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Historic Quarter's new lease of life

H

eading up a small team of four as Operations Director of the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership, Andy Munro explains why things are looking up for the historic Jewellery Quarter.

It is now almost ten years since the announcement of proposals to create a Jewellery Quarter Urban Village with the aim of attracting in more people to live in the area through mixed use schemes to take account of increasing dereliction.

Following a study by London based consultancy EDAW, an Urban Village Framework Plan was produced and subsequently a more detailed Conservation Management Plan and Design Guidance inform development in the Quarter. Both these seek to limit residential development in certain parts of the Quarter to prevent land prices increasing, protect business, and to ensure quality development. Subsequently, a Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Charter has been developed to inform the Quarter's wider regeneration.

The Partnership includes representatives from the local community, both business and residential, local agencies such as the School of Jewellery, the British Jewellers Association and other important players such as English Heritage, Advantage

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West Midlands and of course the City Council itself, which funds the partnership. Following a number of years under the steady leadership of independent Chair Clive Wright, Dr Carl Chinn has now been appointed to lead the way forward.

Although the Jewellery Quarter has been described as unique in Europe, there is still much to be done as it often looses out to seemingly more attractive public sector projects like Eastside. However the Jewellery Quarter is entering an exciting phase with the possibility of a bid for World Heritage Site Status and further City Council commitment manifesting itself with the Big City Plan. The Regeneration Charter has a number of themes all of which are being progressed to put the Jewellery Quarter firmly on the map.

The Quarter has over 1500 businesses with around 400 jewellery or jewellery related still making an estimated 40% of UK jewellery - making it a dynamic place to do business. It has the world's busiest

Andy Munro

Assay Office and Europe's largest School of Jewellery and a growing number of creative businesses with around half the architects in Birmingham now based in the Quarter.

The Charter is developing a Business Support Strategy for the jewellery industry similar to the successful one now operating in Hatton Garden in London.

This includes local initiatives such as the Design Space, designer maker incubation scheme, a Made in the Jewellery Quarter initiative and the ongoing Brilliantly Birmingham Festival which is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary. It will also seek to increase the portfolio of serviced, affordable, commercial and retail units to meet the demands of the increasing number of creative businesses. Examples include the recent extension to the Argent Centre and the WorkSecond scheme opposite the Jewellery Quarter Tram Station. Security in the Quarter is a top priority with improvements to community safety through 24 hour monitored CCTV on all the main streets

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and the development of a parking strategy which will include business permits and a radically improved multistorey car park.

The buildings in the Quarter have not always been of highest quality so a primary focus for the Partnership is overall design quality. The amount of dereliction in the Quarter has radically reduced, but with over 50 sites still requiring attention - a factor that has been exacerbated by the credit crunch the Jewellery Quarter Design Guide has been introduced to set standards of design. The Big City Plan planning options for the Quarter which included allowing more residential development in the Industrial Middle of the Quarter were scrutinised before any changes were made in order to protect the jewellery industry and ensure good standards.

The process of rejuvenating the Quarter has begun with proposals for a radical regeneration of the St George's - Carver Street/ Pope Street/ Camden Street parts of the Quarter. Providing an iconic piece of public space, the Golden Square proposals, will be useful for events, a meeting place and as a 'postcard' destination for visitors. Other improvements to the public realm such as the Albion Square area made, famous in the Kathleen Dayus books, and improving both the historic Cemeteries are all helping to develop the Quarter.

One of the major barriers to sustaining and improving the Quarter's economy was lack of connectivity to the City Centre. Whilst this had probably been a blessing in the 60s when many of Birmingham's high buildings were bulldozed, it is now an obstacle in terms of the regeneration of the Quarter. It was hoped that eventually Great Charles

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Street would change its character under the Big City Plan and would allow people to walk across from Church Street and Colmore Row into the Ludgate Hill/ St Pauls area. However it may be several years before the work will begin so more immediate action is being taken.

The measures include improved signage and highlighting the Jewellery Quarter in gold on pedestrian fingerposts, opening the new subway connection from Snow Hill Station into Livery Street and improving the surrounding area and improving the bridge link between Church Street and Ludgate Hill.

A Sustainable Community is vital to regenerating the Quarter. There is already a vibrant network of business and community organisations both formally and informally with the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum and the Jewellery Quarter Association. This ensures the community are involved where ever possible in ensuring that any proposals have their support.

Provision of a Health Centre and Pharmacy has remained a priority despite the current economic situation.

The Quarter already has its own supermarket, Post Office, Police Station and other facilities but the Health Centre is seen as vital. Also, the introduction of town housing into the Quarter is being considered, particularly due to the fact that apartment living has reached saturation point not only in the Quarter but in the city centre generally.

The Quarter has two award winning Museums, is a Conservation Area with over 200 historically listed buildings and has two historic Cemeteries. In addition there are over 100 independent retailers with 30 restaurants and bars, Art Galleries including the second oldest

independent Art Gallery in the UK. These attractions are a unique selling point for Birmingham and in order to make Birmingham a city worth visiting the Quarter needs to be highlighted.

Initiatives underway to further strengthen its tourism offer including the expansion of the award winning Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the refurbishment of Newman Coffin Works in Fleet Street and JW Evans in Albion Street.

With so many initiatives already underway and more in the pipeline things certainly are looking up for the Jewellery Quarter. In order to maintain the momentum the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership have a key overarching objective to raise the profile of the Quarter and bring to life the hidden gems on offer. There undoubtedly is an abundance of attractions to draw visitors and businesses alike to the area but what lacks is awareness of the opportunities. Overall there seems a lot to be optimistic about for this unique part of Birmingham but at the same time there is certainly no room for complacency.

Apartments, St Paul’s Square

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