Jewellery Quarter museum reopened to public

The public will have access to the historic Smith and Petter factory

A "time capsule" jewellery factory has reopened to the public in Birmingham.

The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter will be open every Thursday to Saturday and will offer visitors guided access to the historic Smith and Pepper workshop.

Birmingham Museums said when the jewellery making firm ceased trading in 1981, workers downed tools and the door was locked, leaving everything as it was for when it first opened as a museum in 1992.

The building on Vyse Street then closed in 2020 to undergo essential repairs and maintenance, with conservation work continuing during the phased reopening.

Rob Lewis, Director of Transformation at Birmingham Museum Trust said, following the success of the pop-up museum during the Jewellery Quarter Festival in July, he is "delighted to be reaching this significant milestone in the phased reopening".

The jewellery quarter has been operating for more than 200 years in the city and was recently awarded World Craft City Status.

"We are now looking forward to welcoming visitors through the doors on a regular basis to explore the story of the region's unique heritage," Mr Lewis added.