Published
Apr 27, 2020
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Goldsmiths’ Company launches £1m Covid-19 fund for jewellers

Published
Apr 27, 2020

The Goldsmiths’ Company and Charity has created a £1 million coronavirus fund to support UK-based jewellers, silversmiths and allied industry professionals during the crisis.



The initiative includes grants of £1,500 as well as interest-free loans.

“We know that the wider community of people in the trade are finding this period very challenging, with some facing extremely difficult conditions. Many silversmiths and jewellers are either sole traders or small employers with little or no financial reserves, and in current circumstances it is impossible for them to make a living,” said Timothy Schroder, prime warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company.

Jewellers who are self-employed, sole traders, or running micro-businesses employing four people or fewer are eligible to apply. Applicants must live and work in the UK, work primarily with precious metals and be able to demonstrate that they are in financial difficulty because of the Covid-19 crisis. 

To process the high number of requests, the trade association will offer three application windows, with a second period opening this Tuesday 28 April at 10am. A third application window will open in the week commencing 4 May.

The loan scheme will launch in May following an industry survey to better understand the needs of those in financial distress.

The Goldsmiths’ Company, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London, said the initiatives are open to both members and non-members of the association.

“Our purpose is to contribute to national life by supporting our craft, trade and industry and through wider charitable and educational activity, and we will continue to do our very best to support people who are facing the greatest hardship, as we have done for almost 700-years,” Timothy Schroder explained.

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