Jewellery Quarter regeneration office closed as work starts on Hylton Street
Jan 29 2010 By Graeme Brown
Work has started on a £2.5 million scheme to transform derelict Jewellery Quarter buildings into work units – but an office that oversees the area’s regeneration has been closed as part of spending cutbacks.
Developers are on site to refurbish a Victorian grade II-listed site on Hylton Street to create 13 affordable live/work units small creative firms like jewellery makers and designers.
The move has been welcomed as a step towards encouraging a new generation of manufacturers to the district, which has designs on becoming a World Heritage Site.
However, community leaders have said Birmingham City Council’s decision to close Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership’s (JQRP) office has set back plans to improve the historic area.
West Midlands regional minister Ian Austin said the live/work units were part of wider plans to encourage manufacturing in the Jewellery Quarter.
He said: “This new development demonstrates the public sector’s commitment to the Jewellery Quarter and proves that this historic area of the city remains a priority and that regional partners are working together to preserve its heritage and breathe new life into it for future generations of jewellery makers.”
Developer Midland Heart hopes to replicate the success of live/work units in Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent with the Hylton Street development in the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area. Midland construction firm Seddons has been selected to carry out the work.
The £2.5 million funding has been generated by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the Government regeneration agency Urban Living and the Homes and Communities Agency.
The new units will offer separate living and workshop space, ranging from one to three bedrooms in size, and will be aimed primarily at designer/makers.
Advantage West Midlands’ partnerships director Mark Foley said: “In the past, a lack of suitable facilities and accommodation for designer/makers in Birmingham has resulted in graduates and entrepreneurs leaving the region.
“By offering affordable live/work units in the Jewellery Quarter, we can encourage creative talent to stay in the city and enrich the sector here, securing an even brighter future for jewellery design and manufacturing in Birmingham.”
Tom Murtha, chief executive of Midland Heart, added: “This is a great opportunity to put new life into a piece of Birmingham’s history and give new talent in the creative industries an opportunity to thrive.
“This is exactly the type of project that will support and sustain local communities and we are very excited to be providing this service.”
Community leaders in the region have also welcomed the new development, but say the closure of the JQRP office in the region will hamper regeneration plans.
Birmingham City Council is closing the office and shifting back office functions to the city centre as part of an efficiency drive, but Marie Haddleton, president of the Jewellery Quarter Association (JQA), said JQRP director Andy Munro should be based in the area to drive forward proposals.
Mrs Haddleton said the JQA was not consulted about the changes and believes better savings could have been identified by Coun Neville Summerfield, the city council cabinet member for regeneration.
