The Trust has a successful track record of conservation projects. This includes the Brewmaster's House (above), a fine Georgian House situated between the ICC and Brindleyplace; 69 & 70 Great Hampton Street, a pair of early 19th Century townhouses in the Jewellery Quarter that were converted into small business premises and the refurbishment of a number of smaller listed cottages. This year also saw the completion of the restoration of the last remaining courtyard of early 19th Century back-to-back houses in Birmingham. The houses are now open to the public by the National Trust and give a unique insight into working class life during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The next project for the Trust is Newman Brothers Coffin Fitting Factory in the Jewellery Quarter. This extraordinary factory, where all the stocks and records survived intact after 100 years, was featured on the BBC programme Restoration. The Trust proposes to refurbish the building and open part as a small museum, whilst the rest will provide modern workspace whose rents will subsidise the museum.

In addition to its projects, the Trust:

• undertakes feasibility studies on suitable buildings
• promotes awareness of the historic built environment
• gives talks and exhibitions about the work of the Trust
• helps co-ordinate the Civic Trust Heritage Open Days in Birmingham
• seeks to maximise funding for historic buildings by submitting bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other grant-making bodies.