Fears over Jewellery Quarter workshops sell-off

Birmingham City Council is selling the freehold of properties on Vyse Street and Hylton Street in the Jewellery Quarter for £750,000

Traders in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter fear the city council's decision to sell the freeholds of workshops could push workers away and put its future at risk.

There had been no consultation about the plans for the row of terraces on Vyse Street, they said, and the first many knew about them going on the market was when for sale signs appeared.

The Jewellery Quarter is home to hundreds of businesses with the area recently being granted World Craft City Status in recognition of it global influence.

Birmingham City Council denied that selling an asset put the quarter at risk, and said it was committed to the preservation of its trades and small businesses.

Jewellery maker Rachel Morrish is concerned the sale could mean skilled people move out of the quarter

The Jewellery Quarter sits close to Birmingham's city centre and has been a manufacturing centre, for both companies and individual artists, for more than 200 years.

Shops started to appear in the1970s when manufacturers decided to sell to individual customers.

"I think we will start to lose some of the very skilled people that are here, everybody works together," said Rachel Morrish, jewellery maker, who feared the sale will damage the industry's ecosystem.

"Although you might see one door, there could be six or seven people behind it, all with different skills, and we all interact with each other."

If one person goes, it has an effect on everyone, she said, as setters, polishers, mounters, engravers and enamellers all worked together.

There were other plots of land around the Jewellery Quarter the council could sell that would not impact businesses, said Ms Morrish.

The freehold of properties on Vyse Street and neighbouring Hylton Street are being sold for £750,000, with the marketing board outside stating that businesses are not affected.

Jeweller Gavin Mack says he's worried what the sale means for his business

But the sale of the Vyse Street terrace could be just the start, feared goldsmith Gavin Mack, who has been in the industry for 31 years, and hoped his children would follow him into it.

"I'm a bit scared really, I don't know where my business is going to progress to," he said, adding he "never dreamt" the council would sell the building.

"I can't sleep, I'm stressed, I'm worried about what the future holds, I thought I would be here until I retire."

He said his message to the council was: "Work with us, look after us.. we can give you ideas."

Ben Massey from the National Association of Jewellers says the issue is bigger than just the sale of workshops

Ben Massey, chief executive of the National Association of Jewellers, said the UK jewellery industry was worth at least £9.6bn, of which 40% was attributed to the Jewellery Quarter.

If the council sells off buildings, you will see key parts of the jewellery process move out of a world craft city, he said.

A ring goes through many hands as part of its production, he added, and if a maker or workshop is removed, it starts to damage the process.

"This isn't necessarily just a decision about a workshop, it's a decision about a whole industry that has been here for centuries."

The city council said there was no direct threat to businesses affected by the sale of the freehold it was aware of.

It said it was committed to the preservation of the Jewellery Quarter's trades and small businesses, which was guaranteed under a conservation area character and management plan, which applied to all current and future business owners.

It added that it followed the necessary requirements to consult with people and businesses in the area.

Meetings about the proposals had been held with the Jewellery Quarter Bid Team and Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Trust, and feedback in recent exchanges had been supportive, said the council.