Ann from the U.S. is looking for information on Winston Elizabeth & Windsor who recently made and sold more than 300 limited edition commemorative silver coins to the Democratic Party to hand out to key members of the campaign to elect Obama prior to him becoming the next president of the United States of America.  More Info

No surprise there then! - Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter has been voted the best urban neighbourhood in the UK by top architects and designers - beating such competition as Nottingham’s Lacemarket and Stockbridge in Edinburgh.  Judges were impressed by the area’s distinctive buildings, emphasis on small businesses and partnership between residents and traders. Dating back 250 years, the conservation area has more than 200 listed buildings, 400 jewellery businesses and 3,500 residents - Read More

Then why not visit the now famous Frankfurt Christmas Market which is held in Victoria Square/Upper New St area - which just happens to be only a few minutes walk from the Jewellery Quarter.

Now in its eighth year the Frankfurt Christmas Market is expected to attract more than two million visitors to the city during its six-week run and as a result the market is now the world’s largest authentic German Christmas market to be staged outside of Germany or Austria.  If you have not visited such a market then you are really missing out on a unique part of the build up to Christmas.  On a personal note, whilst living in Nuremburg in Bavaria, Germany - a highlight of Christmas was always attending the world famous ” Nuremburg Christkindlesmarkt ” So now you to can experience Christmas on your doorstep - Read More

Apparently, the Birmingham Council’s long term aim is to help Birmingham break into the world’s top 20 cities  ( according to the international Mercer Quality of Life index ) For the record, Birmingham is currently a joint 56th with Glasgow with London being ranked 38th. - To do so it would surely need the help of the Jewellery Quarter!  - What do you think?

Birmingham’s famous Newman Brothers’ coffin fitting works is another step closer to being transformed into a visitor attraction and creative workspaces after councillors gave the go ahead to development plans - Full Story

For any readers not familar with the Jewellery Quarter and maybe looking for employment or perhaps changing jobs the JQ has it’s own Job Centre at the following address :

65-67 Summer Row
Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham
West Midlands
B3 1LB‎

Telephone: 0121 237 8300‎

I am an A level Geography Student studying rebranding of Birmingham. I was wondering if you could tell me how much money was spent on rebranding Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in the last 10 years. This piece of information would play a valuble part in my coursework. As well as this, are there any future plans to rebrand the area? Looking forward to hearing your response.
Yours Faithfully
Robin Raphael Cohen

Ed : Anyone got the answer for Robin?

” Rocks ” are hosting a gift show at the above location on 17th Nov at 09.00am - so if you wish to attend all the details are on the website

Last night the xmas lights switched on in the famous Jewellery Quarter.  The large crowd seemed to have had a great time -  well at least my mates and I did - although maybe the visits to a few of the local watering holes had something to do with it!

The crowds were treated to a lighting spectacular based around a jewellery theme and the big switch on was carried out by a local primary school.

Amongst the entertainment on the night was a three-legged Santa race which helped raise more than £600 raised for tonight’s annual “Children in Need ”

So if you are in the area over the festive period why not pay a visit to see the lights for yourself.

Great news for the Jewellery Quarter, however the decision means that a row of back-to-back houses will be demolished to make way for the new building despite pleas from conservationists. Both English Heritage and the Victorian Society have called for their restoration as part of the regeneration of the St George’s site, but the council’s planning committee claim that the properties have no historical merit - read the full story

Ed -What do you think, not exactly a win-win situation ?