New Futures for Birmingham`s Historic Buildings

The Smith and Pepper Factory

Posted April 5th, 2014 by Katie Hughes with 15 Comments

Smith & Pepper Factory

In the heart of the Jewellery Quarter nestled in-between the rows of Jewellers shops is a factory frozen in time exhibiting traditional methods of Jewellery making and production. The building and its contents are a physical reminder of Birmingham’s industrial past and the success of the Jewellery Trade; especially during the 1900’s when it was at its peak.

The factory in question is the Smith and Pepper Factory situated on Vyse Street in Hockley which is the main attraction of the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter next door. The factory is open to the public and visits are by guided tour where you get to explore the factory and learn about the history of the Birmingham Jewellery Trade. Since I had only 2 months left on my BM&AG annual membership ticket I thought I better get cracking and visit the last remaining sites. So on a cold winter’s morning in February I decided to take a wander around the Jewellery Quarter and pop into the museum to explore.

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The factory is named after the business partners who set up the firm in 1899; Mr Smith and Mr Pepper. The firm traded for 82 years up until 1981 and over the years it was predominantly run by generations of the Smith family after Mr Pepper left the business. The height of their success was during the 1920’s when they were well-known for producing  snake style bracelets and jewellery with Egyptian motifs which grew in popularity after Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in 1922. Their coiled snake gold bangle with red ruby eye detail was a very popular seminal piece.

The Smith and Pepper Factory interior

Unfortunately by the 1980’s the elder members of the family could not secure the future involvement of younger members to carry the business forward. Hence one Friday in 1981 the workers downed tools and the factory was abandoned. The building was left shut up for 9 years before the Council acquired possession and opened the doors to find a perfectly preserved time capsule. Even the workers overalls and coats were left hanging on hooks in the workshop gathering dust waiting for their owners to return. Therefore the factory as you see it today has been left pretty much untouched for the past 30 plus years.

Mr Smiths office & workers overalls

The factory comprises of several workshops around a courtyard with office space above. Originally these were separate dwellings/workshops which were then converted into one factory. The tour initially starts off upstairs in the office and admin areas of the factory before you progress down into the main workshop area. Old receipts, paper files and vintage typewriters are left scattered across the desks; there are even old jars of marmalade and jam which Mr Smith apparently used to spread on his toast! I wouldn’t fancy opening those jars now after 34 years!

Old receipts, typewriters and accounts books...left as they were in 1981.

In the main workshop area you can see where the jewellers would have carried out their daily work. As soon as you enter the workshop the aroma of years of dust and industry hits you. Walking around the workshop you can see that the equipment and techniques used by the jewellers had changed very little since the beginning of the business with many Victorian contraptions, machinery and manual tools on display. The jeweller’s benches are littered with tools and even some personal items have been left abandoned such as tobacco tins and notebooks. There are metal presses used to cut out pendants and an array of different types of metal moulds to produce bangles and rings. The tour guide told us that every couple of months they clean the interior which involves photographing, removing, cleaning and replacing every single item- which must be quite a task!

Moulds and presses

The tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour and the tour guides will carry out demonstrations using the original machinery and manual tools. As well as the factory there are also two gallery spaces displaying exhibits telling the historical story of the Jewellery Quarter which spans over 200 years. Charges apply for the tour and to enter the galleries but the gift shop, café and temporary exhibition space are free.

Tools of the trade

Even though the Jewellery Quarter still has the largest concentration of Jewellery Businesses in Europe ( it produces 40% of the jewellery sold in the UK) it has reduced dramatically in size since Mr Smith and Mr Pepper set up their business. Birmingham expanded vastly during the Industrial revolution becoming a hub for new technologies and businesses. Jewellery making became a very lucrative trade and the area thrived during the 19th century with many people working and living there. The trade peaked during the 1900’s when the area employed over 30,000 people. Even during WWI production continued due to the demand for military buttons, badges and medals. However after the Great Depression the Jewellery Trade struggled to recover and continued to decline during the 20th Century mainly due to foreign competition.

Victorian contraptions

On the way back I also popped into the Pen Museum; a short walk away on Frederick Street. It is situated on the ground floor of the Grade II listed Argent Centre which is a gorgeous red brick building with decorative multi coloured brickwork and a series of arched windows running along the façade. The Pen Museum has a vast collection of decorative pen nibs, fountain pens, old packaging, typewriters and all manner of pen paraphernalia. One of the volunteers told me that at one time Birmingham was making 70% of the pens sold in the entire world! A crazy statistic when you compare it with the current situation where only a handful of pen factories remain in the country producing bespoke fountain pens, neither of which are in Birmingham- how times have changed!

If you are in the vicinity you can quite easily visit both museums in a couple of hours and they give a nice introduction to the rich industrial history of the area.

Facts:

  • Location: 75-80 Vyse Street, The Jewellery Quarter, Hockley, Birmingham.
  • Year: Circa 1880’s
  • Use: Jewellers Workshop/ factory
  • Style: Victorian, industrial
  • Material: Red Brick

 

More details at:

BMAG website

JQ website

Inside the workshop

15 Responses to “The Smith and Pepper Factory”

  1. Irene Kearney May 27, 2021

    Have been so interested to read all the comments,absolutely fascinated by the closing of the business 1981 it reads like the beginning of a play,must come and visit never heard of S@P before,just purchased a lovely bangle on eBay had know idea I was purchasing such an interesting history,looking out for more of your lovely jewellery.Regards Irene Kearney.

    Reply

  2. Anthony September 10, 2020

    Hello everyone! My name is Anthony I’m a metal detectorest and live in Independence Missouri in the United States . I’ve recently discovered while metal detecting a 10k GOLD Irish Claddagh ring made by Smith & Pepper! It is marked in side of the ring S&P! As I’ve done the research on this beautiful pice and found out about the history of Smith & Pepper I was AMAZED that I’ve found a pice of their history that made it across the pond! I’ve tried to contact the museum to see if there is any interest in my discovery, to no avail. So I’m posting it here. I absolutely love the ring and more so the history behind it and would love to see it in the museum there for ppl to enjoy. As I would love to just keep it in my personal collection my heart just don’t think that would do this beautiful ring justic and rather have it be viewed by ppl to enjoy its beauty and history. If the museum dosent want it to display then I would consider selling it to someone who would like a pice of the history from there to wear and enjoy as I just don’t want to keep it in a box in my collection I really want someone who appreciates the historical value and beauty of this ring. I can be contacted via email at Franco30979@icloud.com for any inquiries about the ring. Thank you and best regards Anthony

    Reply

    • BCT moderator September 16, 2020

      Dear Anthony,
      What a wonderful discovery! I wonder what the history is behind it’s ending up in the ground in Missouri. At the moment a lot of heritage sites over here are still closed due to Covid / staff furloughing and Smith and Pepper is one of them. I’m sure they will get back to you once they are reopen but in the meantime one of our trustees works for the parent museum trust so I will see if she is able to track down anyone who is based at Smith and Pepper who is currently working and could get in touch with you.

      Reply

  3. Madara Skele June 19, 2020

    I was 5 years a go in Smith and Pepper Factory Museum , i was surprised how a amazing it is sow i was started collection Smith and Pepper silver bangles, i have 3 now

    Reply

  4. Jill Peterson May 23, 2018

    I visited the museum yesterday. I’m on holiday from Canada and having enjoyed a day in Birmingham took the train to Jewellery Quarter. Out tour guide Deborah was not only informative but had some amusing anecdotes. I loved it all, so very interesting , the factory is like going back into a time capsule, well worth a visit. Loved the marmite and damson jam jars, still there!! And was delighted to find that the original sister was named Olive Smith, which was also my mum’s name.
    Thank you to all.

    Reply

  5. barbara brown July 14, 2017

    My father Joseph Gee,was born in 1900 & started working at Smith & Pepper in 1914 & only left when the factory closed down . He died in 1986 always wondering what was going to happen to it.
    He went with some others to Smiths of Cheltenham, during the war, to learn how to make bomb sites for the RAF.
    I gave my fathers note books with designs in it & photograph of him working at his bench, which I saw when
    I visited , but have been told is no longer there.
    I feel very upset by this as he must have been the longest worker there.

    Reply

    • Kevin Brown August 8, 2020

      This is my Mom. Joseph was my Grandad. Barbara passed away a couple of years ago now and left behind a small collection of items made by her father. He made his wife’s wedding ring. Whenever she wore it they always had a blazing row so, she took it off, put it in her jewellery box and bought herself a cheap one from Woolworths to replace it. Harmony restored. My Grandad always worried that Smith And Pepper would not survive because there was no young blood ready to carry on the work or run the factory. I took the tour with my family just before my mother passed away. His picture is in place in the bench he used to work at. It was very moving for us to be there. We took with us some of his work to show the tour guide and other visitors. One of my childhood favourite things was my mom’s charm bracelet. He gave it her as a child and every birthday and Christmas would add a new charm to it. It was wonderful to see the stamping press where some of them were produced. It was one of the pieces we took with us. So we could see the finished article next to the tools that were used to make it. We will have to make a return visit when the current situation eases enough.

      Reply

      • BCT moderator August 11, 2020

        I”m sorry to hear about the passing of your mother but many thanks for sharing your wonderful family story. It sounds like it’s a good job your grandparents established the cause of their arguments or you may never had existed! Unfortunately the museum is still closed at present but hopefully they will be able to reopen soon and you can make a return visit.

        Reply

        • Kevin Brown August 17, 2020

          Will definitely be back.

          Reply

  6. Birmingham Research Trip – 26/06-28/06 – Rebecca Oldfield July 14, 2017

    […] factory as you see it today has been left pretty much untouched for the past 30 plus years.” http://www.birminghamconservationtrust.org/2014/04/05/the-smith-and-pepper-factory/ Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Primary […]

    Reply

  7. Pam December 12, 2016

    Hi I had a gold bracelet valued last week and it is a 15ct rose gold snap bangle wax filled. It is 61mm.52mm,9.1mmwide, 4mm high, half round. Top half fully engraved. hallmark indicated Birmingham made 1861/2 manufactures S&P.

    My concern is that when I look at the manufactures S&P on your website it shows that they were set up in 1899, so it appears that my valuation may be incorrect with the date of it. Can you throw any light on it for me . Many thanks

    Pam

    Reply

  8. Alan Gwilt April 24, 2016

    To
    Smith & Pepper
    Newman Bros
    JW Evans
    The Pen Musium

    Hi

    May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your hospitality and patience, shown by your staff yesterday. From the feedback I have received from our members all have had a great experience and have loads of images to show for the day. I am looking forward to seeing some in future competitions.
    I would especially like to thank our guides for their interesting and knowledgeable stories and anecdotes on the factories, people & area.

    On behalf of everyone at Bridgnorth & district Camera Club may I take this opportunity to thank you all

    Kindest Regards
    Alan Gwilt

    Reply

  9. Alan Gwilt January 24, 2016

    Hi
    I am the trip arranger for Bridgnorth & District Camera Club
    I am arranging a trip to : factories on Saturday 23 April
    We plan to come by train the Jewellery Quarter Station Arriving at about 10:00AM
    Smith & Pepper
    The Coffin works
    The Pen Factory &
    JW Evans Silver Factory

    We would not be using the images for any commercial use only club & inter-club competitions.
    I do not have numbers yet but on previous trips we have between 20-40 members
    I plan on splitting them into groups of say 10 per group and each group would visit your premises at two hour intervals.
    Can you please give me details of
    Opening times Tour times Costs & discounts for groups etc. So that I can sort details
    and plan a timetable to book the tours
    Thanks
    Regards
    Alan Gwilt
    BDCC

    Reply

    • Suzanne Carter January 24, 2016

      Hi Alan. I have passed your enquiry to tonia@coffinworks.org for the newman brothers element of your day visit. You will need to contact MUseum of JQ, Pen room and English heritage re JW Evans directly also. You’ll have a fab day in the jewellery quarter. It’s a fantastic place. Best wishes, Suzanne

      Reply

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