Our history
The History of 1000 Trades
Our name references Birmingham’s history as ‘City of a Thousand Trades’, the UK’s workshop full of small, highly-skilled firms producing a huge range of products. If you wanted to get something made, Birmingham was where you went to get it done.
A journey through time
1870-1890s:
Back in 1870, two jewellers, Thomas Godfrey and Andrew Cotterell set up shop here. Before long, they were joined by an Australian silverware craftsman, Samuel Mordecai Levi. He stayed here for 20 years, selling wares like candle sticks, match cases, and photo frames before moving over to Vyse Street.
Working under the same roof during this time was Herbert Samuel Willis, a man who was listed as an "Australian agent," working as the middleman between jewellers and local firms. Herbert was also known as a "local failure," living above his means until 1908, when he appeared in front of the Birmingham Bankruptcy Court with debts of £2,781.
1924:
From the 1920s, larger companies made 16 Frederick Street their home, including S. Blanckensee & Sons - expert goldsmiths, silversmiths, and diamond mounters.
1978:
Another such company was R.E.V Gomm, who worked here from the 1970s to 1998, designing enamel badges for brands, schools, societies, football clubs, and transport enthusiasts.
1998-2015:
Various cafes, restaurants, and dodgy late-night hang-outs. All we know for sure is… it wasn't us.
2016:
1000 Trades opens its doors for the first time.
Today, the Jewellery Quarter continues to play an important part in the design, manufacture, and retail of jewellery, medals, and trophies, with many family-run businesses continuing to thrive.
Even now, you'll find Fattorini Ltd just a few doors away at the corner of Frederick Street and Regent Street, renowned for crafting the 1911 FA Cup and many of the badges you'll find displayed on our wall.
The area is also an increasingly vibrant place to live, work, and visit, with plentiful bars and eateries complementing its role as an international centre for jewellery.
Where do we fit in?
We like to think of ourselves as a pub at the centre of Birmingham's many communities, with our private function room playing host to meetups, neighbourhood events, live music, comedy shows, open mic nights, and even a chilled coworking space throughout the day.
Even with all these modern pursuits, you'll find many nods to the past...
Our badge wall is inspired by our building’s former life as a badge factory. Bring in a quality, enamel brooch-back badge and swap us for a shiny, new 1000 Trades badge.
Crafting quality
At its heart, 1000 Trades is a space for the community. As comfortable pouring a craft ale as we are being in the space for private events and celebrations.
Our drinksWhat's On at 1000 Trades
Saturday 2nd November
8:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents: Pitch Control
A night of deep, deeper and deepest from the world of upfront new electronic music
Tuesday 5th November
8:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents Political Therapy: America Decides
Join us for an evening from across the pond, with previews and analysis from expert speakers
Wednesday 6th November
7:30 PM
Birmingham Improv Presents: Maestro
Birmingham Improv brings you ‘Maestro’, the exciting elimination improv game where anything can happen.
Friday 8th November
7:45 PM
Birmingham Jazz Presents: Maria Grapsa Sextet
A warm welcome back for Maria. Athens born, UK based since 2014; jazz pianist Maria Grapsa has been making an impact with her recent debut album ‘Life’. Piano song, improvisation and modern jazz writing are the means that Maria portrays her journey through the interior. As a classically trained, explorative jazz musician, she empowers her sextet […]
Friday 8th November
9:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents: Eclectic Sessions
A night celebrating the diverse nature of dance music.
Tuesday 12th November
6:30 PM
Birmingham Entrepreneurs Meetup
Monthly opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs at different stages of business
Wednesday 13th November
7:30 PM
Birmingham Improv Presents: Box of Frogs
Birmingham’s premier Improv Group, bring you a night of high-octane improvised comedy nonsense,
Friday 15th November
7:45 PM
Birmingham Jazz Presents: Sean Fyfe
London-based jazz pianist Sean Fyfe emerges as a distinguished artist with an impressive international footprint, having graced stages in New York and Montreal. Noteworthy for his collaborative work on acclaimed recordings such as ‘In This Moment’ (2022) and ‘Opening Statement’ (2017) with Sam Kirmayer, as well as ‘Conduit’ (2014) featuring Azar Lawrence with Al McLean, […]
Friday 22nd November
7:45 PM
Birmingham Jazz Presents: Fini Bearman
With the success of her latest album ‘La Loba’ (Bad Mother Records, 2020), ‘…Skilful and accurate… wistful soulfulness’ (John Fordham), ‘…One of contemporary music’s most imaginative song stylists’ **** (Jazzwise), and her much praised album of songs from the Gershwin classic, ‘Porgy & Bess’ (F-IRE Records, 2014), ‘A magnificent achievement’**** (allaboutjazz.com), Fini Bearman has made a name for herself on the UK […]
Wednesday 27th November
7:30 PM
Birmingham Improv Presents: Comedy Jam
Birmingham Improv brings you our monthly Improv comedy Jam
Friday 29th November
7:45 PM
Birmimngham Jazz Presents: Julian Costello
The Julian Costello Quartet will be playing music from their new album out now “And All The Birds Were Set Free” on 33jazz records. The birds are the musicians. Julian wants them to feel free to express themselves and fly like a bird. Which they certainly will do. When he choose these musicians and asked […]
Friday 29th November
9:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents: Eclectic Sessions
A night celebrating the diverse nature of dance music.
Saturday 30th November
8:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents NowHam: A Night of Credible 80s
Bannish Banarama, Kybosh Kylie and Erase Europe ….our monthly night dedicated to proper music from the most underrated decade since the last one.
Friday 6th December
7:45 PM
Birmingham Jazz Presents: Arnie Somogyi & Sara Oschag
Renowned jazz vocalist Sara Oschlag and acclaimed bassist Arnie Somogyi have put together an extraordinary project featuring Charles Mingus; timeless compositions with added lyrics – some written by Mingus himself, others by Sara Oschlag and some by Joni Mitchell on her 1979 album, ‘Mingus’. The project brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the Mingus […]
Tuesday 10th December
8:00 PM
Political Therapy: Christmas Special with Philip Collins
Join us for a bantz-fuelled evening with Philip Collins, former Times columnist and speechwriter to Tony Blair, as he reflects on Then and Now, laced with some spicy anecdotes and a full-throttled rendition of the anthemic Things Can Only Get Worse. With lashings of mulled perry. Enjoy a meal downstairs beforehand – book via 1000trades.org.uk We regret […]
Friday 13th December
7:45 PM
Birmingham Jazz Presents:Edgar Macías Quintet
Buena Vista Social Club is both the name given to this extraordinary group of musicians and the album, recorded in just seven days in 1996 in Havana’s 1950s vintage EGREM studios. It was clear from the atmosphere of the recording sessions that something very special was taking place. However, no one could have predicted that […]
Saturday 14th December
2:00 PM
1000 Trades All-Day Winter Party 2024
Gather your logs and polish your leggings…..it’s the 1000 Trades Winter Party 2024!
Tuesday 17th December
7:00 PM
1000 Trades Presents: Carols In The City
We are delighted to announce that Birmingham Choral Union are joining us in the Jewellery Quarter! Birmingham Choral Union has been singing in the City since the 1880s, performing with professional orchestras and soloists in wonderful venues, including Symphony Hall, Town Hall and The Elgar Hall, and now 1000 Trades! Join us for an evening […]
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