Name: JW Evans Silver Factory
Rating: 5.0

JW Evans Silver Factory

54-57 Albion Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 3EA, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

JW Evans Silver Factory Birmingham in the 19th-century was hailed as the ‘workshop of the world’. The Jewellery Quarter was its busy hub, producing jewellery, silver and tableware.

About 40% of British jewellery is still made there. Behind a frontage of terraced houses, J.W.Evans Silver Factory is among its most complete surviving historic factories. Crammed with tools and equipment, it’s preserved as if the workers might return at any minute.

Price starts from £11.50 for Adults, £7 for Children and £18.50 for Family 1 Adult. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of JW Evans Silver Factory: The JW Evans Silver Factory at number 54 Albion Street is in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Jenkin William Evans began trading here in 1881, managing the production of all kinds of silverware from tableware and jewellery to novelty items. Evans bought out his former employers Levi and Salaman entirely by 1908.
Today, the workshops of the JW Evans Silver Factory are still crammed with tools and equipment as if the workers might return at any moment, but the skills of the specialist craftsmen who worked there throughout the 20th century are now almost a forgotten memory.
Centre of Metalworking: Birmingham’s rapid expansion into a major centre for the metalworking industry from the mid-18th century earned it the title of ‘the workshop of the world’. Just outside the heart of the city, in close proximity to the canals and Assay Office, the Jewellery Quarter developed into a concentrated, close-knit neighbourhood, working in a great variety of specialist trades related to the production of jewellery, silverware and metal ware.
Exhibition: There is a permanent exhibition located in the meeting area. This is accessed by four steep steps, or via a ramp at the side of the property.
A Family Business: The JW Evans Silver Factory was always a family business. Jenkin’s oldest son Harold joining as a partner in 1908, followed by younger son, Austen in 1918. His daughter Elfrida also worked in the company as a secretary. The third generation of Peter Coulthard-Laughton (Austen’s nephew) and Antony Charles (Tony) Evans, Austen’s son, both began working at JW Evans during the 1950s and continued to run the business until it ceased trading on 31 March 2008 and was sold to English Heritage.
The Production Process: Two linked manufacturing processes, die-sinking and drop-stamping, underpinned much of the Jewellery Quarter’s industry.
Decline of Silverware: Silverware for Victorian dining tables was in huge demand until around 1914, with a final resurgence in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year of 1977. However, fashions moved on and there is now only a very small market for these products. Remaining production has either moved to the Far East or been replaced by modern technology.
From Industry to Retail: With the decline in the market for silverware, the Jewellery Quarter has diversified, and many companies are less specialised, carrying out a range of processes such as spinning, drop-stamping, soldering, fly-pressing and polishing.

Facilities

Parking: Visitors can park on the road outside the property (15 spaces) or there is an NCP car park (200 spaces) located five minutes walk away. Parking is charged (no refund available).
Toilets: Separate male, female and disabled toilets are available on site.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

JW Evans Silver Factory:

Adult: from £11.50
Child: from £7.00
Under 5s: Free.
Senior: from £10.00
Student: from £10.00
Family (1 Adult): from £18.50
Family (2 Adults): from £30.00

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/j-w-evans-silver-factory/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

JW Evans is open for guided tours only.

Address: 54-57 Albion Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 3EA, UK

Post Code: B1 3EA

Council: Birmingham

County: West Midlands

Road Access: 54-57 Albion Street, 1⁄2 mile from City Centre. Plan your route with.
Bus Access: From surrounding areas.
Train Access: Birmingham New Street station is 1⁄2 mile from J.W. Evans Silver Factory.
Bicycle Access: Plan your cycling route to J W Evans with sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Parking: Visitors can park on the road outside the property (15 spaces) or there is an NCP car park (200 spaces) located five minutes walk away. Parking is charged (no refund available).