JQBID Light Up the Jewellery Quarter
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On Friday 13th November the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID) set the heart of the Jewellery Quarter alight in a dazzling Christmas light switch on; marking the beginning of festive period in the Quarter.
A crowd gathered on the Golden Square, Warstone Lane where they were treated to a special JQ strEATmarket in partnership with BrumYumYum street consisting of food and seasonal drinks from local Birmingham vendors with live music to get them into the festive spirit. JQ BIG BIKE DAY also made a come back in partnership with Urban Cycles who offered free bike servicing to cyclists and discount cycling accessories.
Four of the six Jewellers inducted into the John Lewis Department store in Grand Central earlier this year joined the JQBID under their 30ft Christmas tree to flip the switch, turning on lights across Vyse Street and Warstone Lane as well as on the tree itself followed by a tremendous display of fireworks from the roof of the Big Peg which overlooks the square.
“We want to promote the Jewellery Quarter as the place to visit this Christmas,” comments Luke Crane, Manager of the JQBID. When asked about the event he responded “We wanted to make an event out of turning on our lights, especially since there is no big parade this year for us to participate in. We also worked with the Big Peg team to have fireworks from the roof for a great finale. We wanted it to be a spectacle enough for people across the city center to see to encourage them to think of us during this crucial shopping period.”
As well as this display, the Jewellery Quarter BID have expanded their collection of bespoke Christmas lights to cover over one hundred lamp columns across the Quarter. They have also launched a marketing campaign across Birmingham advertising shopping in the Jewellery Quarter, including advertisements at this year’s German Street Market, and have also paid for the multistory Car Park on Vyse Street to be open and provide free parking every Sunday until Christmas starting 6th December.
The JQBID are also working to bring Small Business Saturday to the Jewellery Quarter, “Small Business Saturday is a national celebration of independent business taking place on 5th December; We have hundreds of independent shops brimming with bespoke gifts perfect for Christmas as well as bars and pubs to duck into for a festive drink and loads of festive events for all the family happening in the many attractions across the Quarter. We want to show Brummies and visitors alike that you don’t need to brave the crowds when we are just a stones throw away.”
Click through the gallery below for photos of the JQ Lights Switch On, all images courtesy of Ross Jukes & Matt Jones Photography. If you would like to request these images for promotional purposes then please contact our office info@jqdt.org
Were you at the Light Switch On? Get in touch and let us know your thoughts on Twitter by tagging @JQBID and hash tags #JQChristmas or by emailing our office.
Photos taken by local photographer Ross Jukes
Photos taken by Matthew Jones