Yorkshire’s Pateley Bridge Unveils New Jewellery Quarter This April

A collective of skilled jewellers in Pateley Bridge, a historic market town in Yorkshire, is set to launch the Pateley Jewellery Quarter, an initiative aimed at promoting local craftsmanship and enhancing visitor engagement at their studios.

The concept draws inspiration from renowned jewellery quarters globally, including those in Birmingham and the vibrant markets of Hong Kong and Thailand. The aim is to create a destination where visitors can interact with artisans, observe specialised techniques, and discover unique, handcrafted jewellery.

The official launch will take place during an open-studio event at King Street Workshops, also known as Pateley Makers Yard, on the weekend of 25 – 26 April.

Joanne Gowan, an established jeweller and one of the initiative’s founders, shared the motivation behind the project. “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,” she stated.

Joanne further explained the appeal of jewellery quarters: “Jewellery quarters exist all over the world because visitors find a choice of different designers and styles 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 launch event also underscores the resilience of Pateley Bridge’s creative community. Debby Moxon and Ian Simm, two jewellers participating in the initiative, are currently operating from a temporary location after their studio was severely damaged by a fire that affected the King Street Workshops in September 2024. Despite this setback, they will welcome visitors during the launch weekend.

The participating studios include:

• Joanne Gowan: With over 40 years of experience, Joanne has lived and worked in Pateley Bridge since 2024. Her fine art jewellery is crafted using traditional techniques and features 18ct gold, silver, and platinum, complemented by unique gemstones in distinctive cuts.
• Alice Clarke: Alice returned to her hometown in 2024 after running her jewellery business in the Falkland Islands. Her designs, inspired by wild landscapes, begin as wax carvings before being cast and hand-finished with carefully set stones.
• Debby Moxon and Ian Simm: Having worked from Studio 1 at King Street Workshops for over 30 years, Debby and Ian’s studio was destroyed in the 2024 fire. They will showcase their work in Studio 6, featuring jewellery made from heat-treated titanium and silver fittings, inspired by the Yorkshire Dales.

Joanne remarked, “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.”

To celebrate the launch, the jewellers have invited a select group of Yorkshire designer jewellers to participate with pop-up stalls in Studio 6, including Saima Jewel from Leeds, Mark Veevers and Adele Taylor from Sheffield, and Karen Ward from Selby, York.

The organisers aspire to position Pateley Bridge as a prime destination for jewellery enthusiasts and those seeking locally crafted pieces.

Event Details
Pateley Jewellery Quarter Launch Event
King Street Workshops
Pateley Bridge, HG3 5LE
Saturday 25 April: 4pm – 7pm
Sunday 26 April: 10am – 4pm
Visitors are invited to explore the studios, meet the makers, and view a diverse range of handcrafted jewellery.