New jewellery quarter to open in Pateley Bridge to showcase handmade gems and local artisan talent
Visitors to the historic market town of Pateley Bridge will soon have a rare chance to explore the town’s thriving jewellery scene.
A group of talented jewellers are coming together to launch the Pateley Jewellery Quarter – a new initiative designed to showcase local craftsmanship and make their studios more welcoming to visitors.
Inspired by famous jewellery quarters around the world - including Birmingham and the bustling markets of Hong Kong and Thailand - the idea is to create a destination where visitors can meet makers, see specialist skills in action and discover unique, handcrafted pieces.
The Pateley Jewellery Quarter will officially launch with a special open-studio event at King Street Workshops over the weekend of 25 and 26 April.
The initiative was created by established jeweller Joanne Gowan, who explained the thinking behind it.
"With all three of our jewellery studios situated in one quarter of the King Street Workshop area, the idea of a Jewellery Quarter came to us soon after Alice opened in Studio 9.
"We had planned to wait until renovations after the fire were complete, however with no progress or plan from the council after 18 months, we saw no point in waiting and this is a good way to let people know we’re still here and thriving.
“Jewellery quarters exist all over the world because visitors find a choice of different designers and style all located in one area, the most convenient way to choose jewellery.
"It’s somewhere you can explore, meet the makers and discover individual and one-off pieces in a relaxed setting.”
The event also highlights the resilience of the town’s creative community.
Two of the jewellers taking part, Debby Moxon and Ian Simm, are currently working from a temporary space after their long-standing studio was severely damaged when a fire tore through the roof of the King Street Workshops in September 2024.
Despite the setback, they will be among the artists welcoming visitors during the launch weekend.
Joanne added: “Our styles are all very different - from handmade gold, platinum and gemstone jewellery to wax-carved cast pieces and modern coloured titanium designs.
“Between us there’s something for every taste and budget, and visitors can either buy from our collections or commission a completely one-off piece.”