West Midlands
The West Midlands is a dynamic region for the UK jewellery trade, home to a blend of independent jewellers, manufacturing hubs, and suppliers. With strong local craftsmanship traditions and a growing base of retail innovation, it serves as a key commercial and creative centre outside London. Jewellery Focus covers the West Midlands jewellery scene—including store openings, regional trade events, case studies of standout businesses, and market trends unique to the area. Our reporting helps trade professionals understand regional nuances, network opportunities, and how this industrial heartland contributes to the broader UK jewellery economy.
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Nov- 2015 -9 NovemberRetailers
Britain’s shop vacancy rate falls to its lowest level since June 2010
The number of vacant shops in Britain stayed the same in October when compared with September, a month in which vacant shops fell to their lowest level since April 2010. That is according to the latest figures from the Local Data Company (LDC) which found that shop vacancy in October…
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Oct- 2015 -8 OctoberEconomy
Shop vacancy levels fall to five-year low
The number of vacant shops in Britain has fallen to its lowest since April 2010, according to new figures from the Local Data Company (LDC). In September, Britain’s shop vacancy levels fell to 12.9%. This was despite the leisure vacancy rate increasing from 8.13% in August to 8.16% in September…
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Mar- 2015 -13 MarchEconomy
February footfall figures dip marginally
Footfall in February was 0.5% lower than a year ago, however it marked an improvement on the 1.2% fall in January. This is according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor which found the decline was above the three-month average of -0.8% and the best overall performance…
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Feb- 2015 -13 FebruaryCrime
Thieves slip on jewellery store floor during raid
CCTV has captured a gang of thieves falling over on a polished floor after ram-raiding a jewellers with a stolen Mercedes. Security cameras at Gem Jewellers in Station Street East, Coventry, show the silver car – which was stolen and had false number plates – smash through the glass shop…
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13 FebruaryEconomy
High Street footfall suffers against out-of-town shopping
Footfall on Britain’s high streets has declined yet further thanks to the rising popularity of out-of-town shopping complexes, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC/Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor found that town centre shopping malls reported the largest decline in footfall, falling 2.8% compared with the same time…
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5 FebruaryEconomy
LDC: Empty shops show North-South divide
The North-South divide is clearer than ever with the South having one in ten shops lying empty while the North has one in five, according to the Local Data Company (LDC). LDC, which analyses over 3,000 town centres, shopping centres and retail parks, said that despite the deepening regional divide,…
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Dec- 2014 -11 DecemberEconomy
Changing shopping habits continue to drive down footfall, says BRC
Footfall in November was down 2.4% on the same time last year, down on the 0.8% fall in October and below the three-month average of a 1.4% decline. This is according to the latest BRC Springboard Footfall Monitor, in which footfall on high streets was down 4% compared to last…
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Nov- 2014 -18 NovemberCurrent Affairs
Body found in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter
West Midland police officers are investigating the discovery of a man’s body found in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on Monday morning. The man, believed to be in his 40s, was found with serious injuries in Icknield Street, Hockley on Monday morning at 4am and was pronounced dead at the scene. West…
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Aug- 2014 -20 AugustTrade Organisations
Birmingham Assay Office receives £70,900 grant
The Birmingham Assay Office (BAO) has received a grant of £70,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant aims to help the Assay Office bring collections dating back to the 18th Century into the digital age. Collection articles include private silver, coin and metal collections that chronicle the changes in…
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Mar- 2014 -6 MarchEvents
Birmingham council to sell NEC for £1bn
The venue for Jewellery & Watch Birmingham, the NEC, has announced that its owners Birmingham City Council are planning to sell the entire complex for around £1bn. Birmingham’s council has been at the centre of a lengthy dispute over equal pay. The legal bill and the money needed to settle…
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