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As we say hello 2020, we also say farewell to what has been an incredible last 12 months for the JQBID team. We’ve welcomed two new members of staff, delivered the biggest JQ Festival to date, adopted the JQ train station and even managed the surprise pop-up of a genuine Banksy. Reflecting back on 2019, we’ve rounded up some of our highlights below.

January – March 2019

Our first event of the year was a collaborative Instameet together with our sister project – Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage – and Igers Birmingham, focusing on the physical history and heritage of the area. Meeting in St Paul’s Church, this then led to some stunning photos, before following a trail around some of the historic buildings in the Industrial Middle. Browse the photos on Instagram using #igb_meet_jqheritage.

February then saw the arrival of Steve Lovell as the new Communications & Marketing Manager to oversee all external communications and marketing initiatives to promote the Jewellery Quarter area.

With the weather turning slightly warmer in March, the JQBID invited local residents as well as the business community to join  the annual Great British Spring Clean event. With over 40 volunteers (a record turnout!), they collected a fantastic 51 bags of litter!

April – June 2019

April saw the return of the annual Bid Levy Drinks – a chance for the business community to network and make new contacts as well as meet the JQBID – and wider JQDT – teams. The JQ Visitor Guide – a brand new piece of literature for 2019 – was also introduced this month and has proved hugely popular with local businesses and visitors alike. With recommendations of where to go and what to do, it’s the perfect place to start planning a trip to the Quarter.

In May, the JQBID became the first BID in the country to adopt their local train station. In partnership with West Midlands Railway, the new project will see the JQBID continue to deliver improvement works to make the station more welcoming and attractive. Projects to date include the installation of an edible garden on Platform 1 and additional planting at the entrance of the station. A spotlight was shined on local history and heritage with a Remembrance Day installation as well as an exhibition displaying stories from the Townscape Heritage People’s Archive.

With blazing sunshine towards the end of June, the JQ Festival returned for its fifth year running with a few changes to previous years – including a mini Glastonbury that took over St Paul’s Square as well a day solely focused to exploring the Quarter’s incredible heritage. The two-day event was a showcase of the very best of the JQ past and present. Watch the Festival video and relive all the highlights from this summer!

July – September 2019

Summer 2019 also saw the introduction of a new marketing campaign to highlight the many one-off items, experiences and memories that are Made in the JQ every year. The campaign is to highlight local businesses and people to increase visitor footfall to the area. The JQBID website also had a complete overhaul this year with a fresh look and influx of brand new content making it easier than ever to discover more about the Jewellery Quarter and the JQBID.

September then saw the JQBID sponsor the annual Birmingham Heritage Week which shines a spotlight on the city’s history and heritage through a variety of tours, exhibitions, performances and workshops.

October – December 2019

Our innovative recycling partnership with First Mile reached its 1-year milestone in October. In just 12 months, the local JQ business community had diverted an incredible 127,000 kg of waste from landfill.  Capping off an eventful Autumn period for the JQBID, the team also welcomed Aaron Chow as the second JQBID Ambassador.

In keeping with our annual tradition, the Christmas Lights Switch-On launched the festive season in style with free live music, mulled wine and hot street food, and of course the spectacular firework display!

November also saw another sister project take off with the appointment of Josie Wall as Activities Programme Manager for the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project. The project aims to restore and revive Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries. Josie will be launching a series of of events and activities to celebrate the project throughout 2020.

And just before we could sign off for the year, we were greeted by a visit from Banksy as he delivered a heartfelt message, just outside the Jewellery Quarter station. Through street art on the railway bridge wall, Banksy depicted homelessness at Christmas, attracting attention from across the globe.

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