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The Quarter, makers, markets and independents.

The Jewellery Quarter: a guide

Around 700 jewellery businesses in 264 acres of B18 and B3, and still about 40% of the UK's jewellery. Where to buy a ring, three museums that are factories frozen in time, two Victorian cemeteries and a Georgian square.

12 October 2026·4 min read

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Independent shops in Birmingham

A route through Birmingham's best independent shopping: the Victorian Great Western Arcade, jewellers in the Quarter, vintage in the Rag Market and Red Brick Market, a bookshop in Kings Heath and the independents of Stirchley.

10 October 2026·5 min read

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The Custard Factory, Digbeth: a guide

Bird's built it to make custard. Since 1992 it has made Digbeth: around 400 small businesses, a pool that gets drained for raves, a 12 metre Green Man on Gibb Street and Birmingham's oldest pub claim round the corner.

2 October 2026·4 min read

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Birmingham markets: a guide

Three markets side by side on Edgbaston Street, trading near the same spot since a charter of 1154: fish indoors, fruit and veg outside, fabric and vintage in the Rag Market. Plus the monthly farmers' markets in Kings Heath and Moseley, and Red Brick Market in Digbeth.

19 September 2026·5 min read