Latte love between two Lichfield firms at new coffee shop

One family-owned Lichfield firm is supporting another with its new business venture. Lichfield’s newest café, The Auction Café by Richard Winterton, has been kitted out with cutlery from another of the city’s oldest firms; Arthur Price.

Richard Winterton said, “Throughout 2024, we were celebrating 160 years since the very first Wintertons office opened in Breadmarket Street back in 1864. A major part of marking this milestone was the opening of The Auction Café in Market Street just yards from that first office.

“When it came to choosing suppliers, we wanted to work with local companies and for cutlery Arthur Price was the only choice.

“Like ourselves, Arthur Price is a local, family firm with great heritage and ties to the community.

“It has an impressive collection of world-class quality cutlery and we opted for the Baguette range, whose fluid lines and understated pattern really complements the vibe of our new establishment.

“We’re very happy with our choice and have been getting lots of great feedback from customers.”

(Simon and James Price having a cuppa with Richard Winterton)

Arthur Price has been making cutlery since 1902. Currently run by fourth and fifth generations of the Price family, it has factories in Sheffield and Birmingham, with the company’s HQ midway between the two in Lichfield.

CEO Simon Price, said: “It’s great that two local businesses are partnering. I think it is really important that independent businesses support each other, even better if local.

“Together our companies have been serving people for over 280 years.

“The Auction Cafe is not just a place for a coffee, it’s a meeting point for people to chat, as Lichfeldians have done on Market Street for generations.

“It’s a great concept and I wish Richard and his team the very best.”

Both Arthur Price and Richard Winterton Auctioneers are strong supporters of the We Love Lichfield fund, of which Simon Price is patron. The community placed based fund has raised over £400,000 for local good causes over the last decade.  Richard Winterton and Arthur Price, together with other local independent business, have made a significant difference to voluntary groups across the district in the last few years.

The Auction Café is open seven days a week, from 9am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays.

People can have jewellery, watches, collectables and antiques valued and/or treat themselves to coffee, tea, cakes, cream teas, bread and savoury snacks, and hear all about the world of auctions.

Valuer Georgina Southam FIRV FGA DGA BA (Hons) will be offering free valuations of jewellery, watches, gold and silver at the café on Tuesdays January 14, 21 and 28 – just drop in between 10am and 12.30pm and 1pm to 3pm.

Specialist valuations also take place between 10am and 12.30pm on Thursdays, with fine art, silver and ceramics on January 9 and 23, coins, medals and militaria on January 16 and toys, trains and railwayana on January 30.

Summer Sale Now On

Our Summer Sale is now on. Until Saturday 13th July at 4pm we have loads of special bargains only available during this period.

There’s box sets down to £99 (from £380) and knife blocks only £29.50 (RRP £99)

If you want a gift, our silver plate frames at down to an unbelievable £4.50 (RRP £15.59) and there’s a special children’s bundle gift set. Frame and baby shoe at £19.50, normally sold separately at £57.

There’s free parking outside and we are open 9-4 Monday to Friday and Saturday 10-4. Closed Sundays.

We hope to see you there

Arthur Price Announced As Headline Sponsor Of Historic Lichfield Event

We are delighted to announce that we are the headline sponsor of Lichfield’s historic Sheriff’s Ride.

Sponsorship of this 471 year old unique event, the only one of its type in the UK, will build upon Lichfield’s history and traditions and most importantly help reach new generations, broaden its appeal and bring economic benefits to the whole area.

The Lichfield Shrievalty Association (a group of former Sheriffs of Lichfield) have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the Ride. One of Lichfield’s greatest and oldest traditions, the Ride is a horse mounted inspection of the ancient boundary of the City which began after Queen Mary gave Lichfield a Royal Charter.  This charter separated Lichfield from Staffordshire and made it a county in its own right. This enabled Lichfield to appoint its own Sheriff who enforced the law and managed the prison. The first ride was undertaken in 1553 and has continued every year except for the Covid years. The first Sheriff was Gregorie Stonynge. The 2024 Sheriff is Cathy Wood, who will join the historic list of locals to bear the title.

Our sponsorship will allow the Ride to more include the younger generation and increase community involvement. 2024 will see the first ever appointment of a Junior Sheriff who will be selected from a local school. Also, during the year The Arthur Price Junior Sheriff Children’s Fund will be created to raise money to help more youngsters to experience horse riding for the first time.   Finally, the cultural legacy of the Ride will be taught by the newly appointed Official Ride Historian, Jonathan ‘Jono’ Oates, who will visit local schools.

Further widening the community involvement will be the official inclusion of cyclists. Organisations such as The Alternative Sheriff’s Ride, will also be part of the celebration.

The Clerk of The Course, Nick Sedgwick, said “The Lichfield Shrievalty Association plans to improve the event. The Arthur Price sponsorship enables us to directly attract the younger generation which will enhance our work to widen the impact of The Ride. We have already seen an incredible response from our local community with the interest and support from many local organisations and individuals. Already businesses, landowners and volunteers have come together to keep this tradition alive. We will return The Lichfield Sheriff’s Ride to the forefront of Lichfield’s historic and cultural heritage.

“We concluded that during these tough economic times, the only way to take The Ride to the next level was with sponsorship. I am delighted that Arthur Price, a family-owned, local independent company has stepped forward to support us. Indeed, it was their wish for their sponsorship to evolve The Ride and I thank them for their foresight and support.”

Simon Price, CEO of Arthur Price said, “The pressure on budgets meant that the event, in its current format, needed to be supported. But with difficulty comes opportunity and I was very focused on identifying where the event could be improved – reaching a wider audience, gaining more community engagement, making an impact on the local economy and finally to leave a lasting legacy.

“If a tradition is lost it is very difficult to resurrect. The whole district is rich in history which makes it a wonderful place for residents and visitors alike.  Indeed, it has just been named as one of the best places to live in the UK.

“With our sponsorship I hope to make the event relevant for today’s society and for the benefit of the whole community. Specifically, with a view to attracting the next generation and helping the local economy by bringing in people from outside the usual groups to participate. “As Lichfield’s famous lexicographer Samuel Johnson once said,…”make new things familiar and familiar things new.” With such a rich history, and a passionate group of organisers, The Ride is a sleeping giant of an occasion with huge potential for the local community.”

Former Sheriff, Daryl Brown, from The Lichfield Shrievalty Association said, “Simon Price has been very specific in his vision for the sponsorship and that the next generation is key. As a teacher I wholeheartedly agree.

“Last year’s Ride included both cyclists and horses, and was a resounding success. I envisage a City full of spectators watching the ceremonial procession of The Sheriff, The Junior Sheriff, The Ride of 75 horses and a host of cyclists.

“Such a display will unite local residents and visitors in a celebration of our unique cultural identity. This will, in turn, support the local economy, filling cafes and shops and welcoming new visitors to our historic City.”

The Lichfield Sheriff’s Ride will take place on Saturday 7th September 2024, starting in the morning, at The Guildhall on Bore Street. It will then make its way around the historic 20 mile boundary before returning via Lichfield Cathedral at around 4:30pm.  To find out more, support or participate, visit www.sheriffoflichfield.org.uk.

Summer is officially here

Summer is officially here. It’s time to seek out those divine seasonal ingredients, pack a hamper with delicious goodies or host the perfect summer party or BBQ with all your friends and family.

We know the diary is getting busy, now’s a great time to get prepared, and here at Arthur Price we’re proud to offer the perfect addition to any dining occasion, this summer and beyond.

Soups and salads

The staple of any summer dining table! Get down to your local independent greengrocers and fill your bags with fantastic seasonal produce, like tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, carrots, potatoes, asparagus and much more, to create the most colourful salads and mouth watering soups to kickstart your spectacular summer dining experience. We have various patterns of soup spoons, serving spoons and forks, salad knives and forks.

Seasonal summer main courses

From summer roast chickens and spicy kebabs to tasty pastas, quiches, tarts, steaks and paellas, these divine dishes deserve the best cutlery accompaniment to make your summer dinner table truly sparkle. Our fantastic range of teaspoons, table knives and forks, serving spoons and steak knives are sure to make your summer banquets a talking point for many years to come.

Divine desserts

No summer feast is complete without a wide range of delightful desserts to tempt your diners.  Time for those mousses, gateaus, cakes, ice creams, fruit tarts and pastries to brighten the table – and your guests’ eyes at the prospect of devouring those sweet treats. Find everything you require to add a certain ‘je nais se quoi’ to your dessert display with pastry sets, dessert spoons, knives and forks. And don’t forget cake servers.

Say cheese

The perfect round-off to any dinner party hardly needs any introduction. Leave every summer event with an excellent lingering taste in your mouth after unashamedly gorging on the cheeseboard. Cheese and butter knives in various patterns will allow you to enjoy and savour the perfect smooth slice.

Dive in with a box set

Ensure that all guests are fully catered for this summer with one of our box sets which offer outstanding value. Ranging from 16 to over 100 pieces you’ll know that not matter how many people you invite round, they’ll all be sitting down with the same cutlery.

All that leaves us to say is enjoy your summer

Happy Anniversary To Our Factory Shop

On a spring morning in April 1982 the UK’s biggest factory shop opened its doors for the very first time.

Now 42 years later, the fashions and the music may have changed, but Arthur Price is still serving up quality cutlery and gifts.

To celebrate we have an amazing offer – the Toscana 42 piece box set normally retails at £295. For the first 42 people to ask, this beautiful contemporary pattern perfect in any home, will only be £42.

From today the first 42 customers to enter the store and ask for Toscana only have to part with £42. All we’ll say is don’t hang around…they are going to disappear very quickly.

 

 

Raffle To Raise Funds For We Love Lichfield

We are proud supporters of We Love Lichfield, a local community fund that raises money throughout the year and then gives away grants twice a year to good causes across Lichfield District.

Our CEO Simon Price is patron of We Love Lichfield and he is passionate about the organisation.

Until the end of March we are raising funds via a raffle. One lucky person is going to win £750 worth of goodies. We want as many people to buy a ticket, only a £1! Please share to as many people as you can and pop in to buy a ticket.

For more information visit www.welovelichfield.com

Raffle To Raise Funds For We Love Lichfield

We are proud supporters of We Love Lichfield, a local community fund that raises money throughout the year and then gives away grants twice a year to good causes across Lichfield District.

Our CEO Simon Price is patron of We Love Lichfield and he is passionate about the organisation.

Until the end of March we are raising funds via a raffle. One lucky person is going to win £750 worth of goodies. We want as many people to buy a ticket, only a £1! Please share to as many people as you can and pop in to buy a ticket.

For more information visit www.welovelichfield.com

Silver Service – behind the scenes at the Arthur Price factory in Sheffield

Have you ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at Arthur Price? What happens before our silverware adorns your dinner table? And what gives it that lasting power that means it can be passed down through the generations? Read on for an exclusive insight into how it all comes together!

For over a century, Arthur Price cutlery has been a hallmark of beautiful silverware and manufacturing excellence, made right here in the UK. Usually in our blog, we take you on a culinary journey, from the latest delicious recipes to top table etiquette tips.

But today, we’re inviting you to join us on a different journey. Here’s your exclusive visit to the Arthur Price factory in Sheffield. Get a unique insight into the production process and see how we achieve the very highest standards of quality.

Silver service

We manage our products through the full life cycle ­– from cooking up stunning designs to seeing them through to final production.

Here, we’re at the polishing stage. As you can see, our latest batch of stainless-steel spoons have been fixed into a jig with the aid of clamps. The operator has prepared these ready for them to be multi-polished.

Teamwork

Each member of the team on the factory floor plays a key role in ensuring the highest quality from our machinery.

On the left, the operator can be seen manually inserting the jig into the multi-polishing machine for the spoon bowls to be polished. On the right, the machine is in action, thoroughly polishing the bowls of the spoons to ensure they give off our signature shine!

Stamp of approval

Here, the operator is ‘backmarking’ the reverse side of a fork with our branding – after all, our name is synonymous with the highest quality tableware!

Nothing but perfection

Creating timeless style has been our passion since our beginnings in 1902, and only perfection will do. A key part of the factory process – and quite literally testing our ‘metal’ – is therefore the inspection stage.

For this, we’re moving into the warehouse, under quality lighting. The inspector is shown wiping a spoon over with cotton gloves while looking for any abnormalities within the item.

If any variances are found, the item would be sent back out onto the factory floor. If our inspector is happy, we’re happy! It’s then ready to join a full set and be packed ready for dispatch. Will it be adding some shimmer to your dining table?

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into where the magic happens in the Arthur Price factory. As you can see from our range, the result of this manufacturing process is something very special. View our full collection here

Arthur Price wedding gift and cutlery collections

It’s wedding season and find the perfect gift is always a challenge.

Show the beloved newly-weds how much you care with an Arthur Price wedding gift. After all nothing says ‘forever’ quite like our design excellence and quality.

Whether traditional or contemporary, embellished or minimalist, we’re proud to offer a range of cutlery collections with styles to suit all personalities. Whatever your choice, be assured that this stunning gift will be lovingly used to create everlasting memories, time and time again.

Find inspiration here for that perfect wedding gift

The Summer 2023 Arthur Price Factory Shop Sale

It’s July and that can only mean one thing…it’s the Arthur Price Factory Shop Summer Sale.

Starting 10am this Saturday 8th July until 4pm Saturday 22nd July you will find some amazing bargains of up to 75% off including

44 piece Mirage cutlery set RRP £259.00 offer Price £79.00

32 piece Mirage cutlery set RRP £199 offer Price £49.00

16 piece Champagne Mirage cutlery set RRP £140.00 offer Price £35.00

42 piece Highgrove cutlery set RRP £278.00 offer Price £75.00

Black and White Knife Block RRP £99.00 offer Price £29.00

Woodland and Jungle child cutlery set RRP £22.50 offer Price £5.95

4 Mirage Serving Spoons RRP £39.00 offer Price £9.75

6 Champagne sundae Spoons RRP £59.00 offer Price £14.75

There’s free parking right outside so please put a date in your diary and pop in during July.