Birmingham Jewellery Quarter clock to be removed for restoration work

The historic Chamberlain Clock in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is set to be removed so it can undergo an “extensive'' restoration process. Later this month, the process will begin to dismantle and remove the Chamberlain Clock from its current home on the roundabout junction of Warstone Lane and Vyse Street in the Jewellery Quarter, for clock-makers Smith of Derby to begin the extensive restoration project. Following the refurbishment, it is expected the clock will be reinstated in early 2021, complete with a new information panel. The refurbishment of the clock was a winning pledge in the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District’s (JQBID) 2017 renewal proposal. The project, led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT), has been able to happen through funds raised by the JQBID and the Jewellery Quarter Townscape Heritage project (JQTH), a National Lottery Heritage Fund scheme. In its current form, the clock stands with significantly corroded paintwork and a broken timepiece. The cast-iron feature, which was last restored 30 years ago, will now undergo extensive operations to restore its internal workings, its clock face, and tower. While other exciting plans involve repainting the clock, reinstating its bell, and cleaning the structure to its former glory. Thomas Wildish, chair of the JQDT said: “The Chamberlain Clock has stood tall as a Birmingham landmark since 1903. The JQBID made a pledge to levy payers in 2017 to refurbish the Clock and it’s crucial that promise is delivered. “The project has been made possible through the generous contribution of our business community through JQBID, as well as the funding provided by the JQTH, through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. As part of the refurbishment, it’s crucial we acknowledge the history of the Clock.” He added: “Joseph Chamberlain is well known for his positive impact on the city, yet more needs to be explored about his role in Government and the British Empire. It’s for this reason we’ll be installing a new information panel, to share his history further with current and future generations.”