Birmingham Assay Office seeks new site
April 15, 2011 – The Birmingham Assay Office is seeking a new site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
After nearly 135 years in its current home in Newhall Street, the Wardens of the Assay Office have made the decision to leave the Victorian grandeur of the iconic Grade II listed building and find larger, more suitable premises elsewhere.
Founded by Act of Parliament in 1773, the Assay Office is one of Birmingham’s oldest institutions and has a statutory duty to hallmark precious metal articles such as jewellery and silverware.
Chairman of the Assay Office, Kay Alexander, said, “The Government are currently questioning the need for hallmarking as part of their Red Tape Challenge.
“So far the response has been an emphatic “keep it”, reinforcing our view that the British public and trade still respect and value the worth of statutory hallmarking as it protects both the consumer and the honest trader.
“The Birmingham Assay Office believes it has a long and solid future supporting the jewellery trade, both in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and throughout the world.”
