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This month, JQBID manager Luke Crane, made himself at home in vintage furniture shop, Blakeley-Browns based on Augusta Street. Store owner Vicki Spencer-Brown gave him a tour of her new shop and showed him her favourite pieces of furniture.

When did you move to the Jewellery Quarter? 

I initially set up Blakeley-Browns in the Custard Factory, Digbeth but I wanted to expand to a larger and more industrial space. I moved to the Quarter at the beginning of February and, after weeks of fitting out the shop and adding those all-important finishing touches, we opened the 21^st February.

What attracted you to the area?

As well as its rich heritage and array of listed and industrial buildings, our products fit in really well with the loft style residential developments in the area. There’s a growing number of independent shops and there’s such a strong sense of community and support from other businesses.

The imminent completion of the Golden Square will make the Jewellery Quarter an even more vibrant and attractive place for people to visit. I want the area to be known for all of the diverse independent retailers that make it so interesting.

How do you source your furniture?

Most of the items you’ll find in the store have come from across the UK. However, I have been known to source from Europe, too. I have found some very special pieces in France, Germany and Belgium. I like to view and choose the items in person if I can; that way I can make sure that the products are of the highest quality.

What can customers expect to find at Blakeley-Browns? 

We sell a wide range of vintage industrial furniture such as stacking chairs, theatre lights, signs and storage solutions. The stock changes weekly, so there will always be something new in the shop for visitors to take a look at.

Most pieces are unique one-offs, which are perfect for impressing your friends and family. We also have a range of bespoke pieces that customers can design themselves. It’s great to watch their ideas come to life.

What’s your favourite piece of furniture you’ve ever sourced?

We have lots of unusual and interesting items, so it’s difficult to choose just one! However, I recently came across a large number of printing blocks from a printers that had shut down. I turned them all into table tops, each one is different. I have also started a tin plate toy collection. My favourite item is a children’s police pedal car.

I’m always looking to buy anything unusual or out of the ordinary and I’m sure there are many items sitting in closed down factories and workshops in the Quarter that I’d love to get my hands on.

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