The Jewellery Quarter BID (JQBID) and many other organisers are running a host of interactive events to support the return of Birmingham Heritage Week this month, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to re-discover hidden gems and local hotspots within the area. During the 10-day festival, activities on offer will include workshops, walking tours, live performances and much more; many of which are free to book.
Birmingham Heritage Week is a city-wide festival that celebrates the second city’s long-standing, diverse heritage, with 100 Birmingham-based organisations and societies, set to open their doors to show off what Birmingham has to offer. Running from September 9th – 18th, the extensive programme offers visitors a host of fascinating events and activities to take part in across the city.
This year’s festival has over 150 events to choose from – with 23 scheduled across the Jewellery Quarter alone – ranging from talks, walks, workshops, outdoor performances, building tours and open days to heritage themed cycling and running tours.
“With something different to try on every day of Birmingham Heritage Week within the Quarter, there has never been a more exciting time to explore such a historic area within the city and to learn its many stories both new and old.
“From afternoon tea to walking tours, and museums to live theatre performances – with loads of behind the scenes and exclusive events – there is something for everyone of all ages to enjoy. We look forward to both welcoming lots of new visitors to the area and also seeing local residents and businesses discover the hidden gems on their own doorsteps.” commented Josie Wall, Events Coordinator at the JQ BID.
From opening the archives of the Pen Museum to behind-the-scenes tours of the Coffin Works and Key Hill Cemetery, visitors and residents alike will be able to learn more about the secrets of the Quarter first hand throughout the festival.
Irene De Boo, Birmingham Heritage Week Co-ordinator at Birmingham Museums Trust, added:
“Birmingham Heritage Week is an excellent opportunity to explore parts of Birmingham you might not normally visit; including the culture-rich Jewellery Quarter. Birmingham is renown as the ‘city of a thousand trades’ and Heritage Week showcases how past Brummies built it into the thriving city it has now become.”
Heritage is at the heart of the JQBID, an initiative funded by local businesses to improve the trading area of the Jewellery Quarter, and alongside projects like the JQ Townscape Heritage has funded public realm improvements to the Chamberlain Clock and Warstone Lane and Key Hill cemeteries.
What’s more, following its successful ballot renewal last month, the JQ BID are set to invest a further £150,000 over the next five years to increase footfall and promote tourism, to establish the Jewellery Quarter as an exciting destination for both residents and visitors alike.
