The last 10 years has seen Birmingham skyrocket as a global tourism destination. Through recognizing and acknowledging the city’s incredible history, we can see what has led to the UK’s second city continuing to flourish and grow, to now attracting 42 million visitors each year and generating over £7bn economic impact.
Once seen as the city of a thousand trades, this landlocked destination has built its reputation on its people, industry and guile and now represents the beating heart of central England.
From the world’s first cotton mill and the industrial steam engine, to developing man-made plastic, through the 1800s, Birmingham became the workshop of the world. The bustling city won recognition through its dedication to supporting a wide range of industries, and also excelled as a centre for manufacturing through the production of cars, jewellery and even chocolate.
So what is Birmingham’s secret?
The secret to Birmingham’s renaissance in recent years is through the city’s stubbornness to keep hold of this incredible past of ‘making’ and ‘doing’.
Two great examples of this are the creative districts of Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter. As the oldest settlement in Birmingham, Digbeth was originally the city’s industry hub with its connections to rail and water. Today’s Digbeth celebrates the origins of its past through the explosion of street art, as well as the many tech and creative spaces that pay homage to Digbeth’s innovative history. .
Travel north of the city centre and you’ll find the home of goldsmiths and silversmiths that have been working in the area for more than 200 years. The Jewellery Quarter is a shining example of how a city can thrive in 2020 whilst still keeping core to its incredible past.
Still to this day, the area is manufacturing 40% of the UK’s jewellery as it continues to be a melting pot of jewellers, makers and artisans – some of which still working on wooden benches in cosy workshops.
Areas like Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter are what UK cities are built on — creativity and innovation. Birmingham’s 1.2 million population is the youngest and most diverse in Europe, and together with a city that’s built its foundation on opportunity, Birmingham has developed a cultural scene that is envied across Europe. There are now over 100 festivals that take place in the city each year, celebrating everything from dance and comedy, to beer and literature.
Birmingham’s stubbornness to keep hold of its heritage and foster its community, has enabled the city to become a global tourism destination in its own right.
It’s not just about the scenery.
Travelling should not just be about lakes, mountains and incredible scenery — it should also be about people and the human qualities that represents a city or a destination. Grit, determination, innovation and enthusiasm is just as beautiful as a lake. And there’s no better place to witness these qualities than in a city that was once the workshop of the world.
Written by: Steve Lovell, Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District.
Planning a trip to Birmingham and the Jewellery Quarter? If so, visit: www.jewelleryquarter.net or pop and see the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District at the British Tourism & Travel Show, who are exhibiting on stand D50!
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register for British Tourism & Travel Show, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 October.