The Hive JQ

Visit Us

  • Learn With Us

    Our grade II listed building is a fantastic resource for learning about the Jewellery Quarter, trade, craft, conservation and architecture. We can offer learning experiences for schools, life-long learning groups and families. Our exhibitions, art installations and building tours will help you understand about the history of the building. We also work collaboratively with local artisans to run craft experiences for you to learn skills and techniques and make beautiful things with your hands. Read more

  • Access Information

    Our historic building is easily accessible; there is a lift to the ground floor from the main entrance on the street, and a second lift to all floors of the building, including the rooftop garden. We provide alternative formats of heritage interpretation, including films with British Sign Language, text captions and audio. Access information includes details and images of the facilities and environment. Read more

  • Visit The Hive

    We'd love you to come and visit our wonderful grade II listed building in Vittoria Street at the heart of the 'Industrial Middle' of Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter; just a few minutes' walk from the metro, and around 15 mins away from the city centre. Information for visitors includes details of opening times, how to find us, where to park and our contact details. Read more

Eat Well

  • Commitment to the environment

    At The Hive we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. We only use 100% compostable, recyclable & biodegradable consumables. You will find plant starch lined paper cups, wooden take out cutlery, paper bags, paper straws, glass bottles & paper board boxes. No plastic! Within the building, all food & green waste is selectively collected and composted. Waste is taken up to the Ridan-In-Vessel Composter on the rooftop micro-farm and then to our customised worm composter in the basement. Read more

  • Rooftop urban micro-farm & biodynamic farming

    In 2017 Argent College students and staff established a “micro-farm” on the rooftop of the New Standard Works, providing produce for the college kitchen and Hive Café. Students grow seasonal, organic-biodynamic food crops, herbs and flowers as part of their integrated Seed-to-Table/Table-to-Seed Curriculum. In the Café we pride ourselves on using fresh, local produce. Each year the micro-farm produces hundreds of kilos of vegetable and herbs just a few steps away, leaving no carbon footprint. Read more

  • The Hive Cafe and Bakery

    The Hive has an organic café & bakery that makes 100% of our food fresh. Nothing bought in. We make every dish by hand. We get some supplied produce from our very own rooftop garden & micro-farm. We are a social enterprise offering work experience to young people at Argent College. We are open Monday to Friday to serve breakfast, coffee & cakes, and lunch. From 2019, on the second Saturday of each month, we'll also be open for lunch and evening dining as part of The Saturday Sessions. Read more

Be Creative

  • Craft campaign 2019

    This year's craft campaign aims to bring together 1000 people from across Birmingham to craft tapestry bees for a collaborative tapestry artwork which connects Birmingham's people and places, cultures, stories and heritage. These 1000 individual bees will be stitched together into one single artwork by needlepoint tapestry artist Tina Francis. We are working with schools, community groups and the public are invited to stitch bees at events - will you be one of our 1000 stitchers? Read more

  • Craft Experiences

    Since 1879 the New Standard Works has a history of making. Products made here in the past include silver bangles, brooches, belt buckles, bottle stops, bracelets and bookmarks, wedding rings, chains, lockets, vesta cases, links and studs, pendants and jewellery of all description. The Jewellery Quarter is still home to contemporary Makers and Artisans and through our programme of craft experiences will be sharing their skills with you. Read more

  • Create Daily

    We like to think that every day could be a creative day! Visitors to our Heritage Room are welcome to dip into our boxes of craft materials and spend some time making something; you can either follow examples or use your imagination! A great way to relax in a light, friendly and calm environment, whatever your age. There is no charge, but we welcome small donations towards materials on a 'pay as you feel' basis. Read more