Lichfield – Arthur Price In Lichfield

5th generation of the Price family takes the helm

We are delighted to announce that during our 123rd year, we start a new chapter. James Price, the fifth generation of the Price family, steps into the role of CEO. This leadership transition marks another milestone in the company’s long history, with James succeeding his father, Simon, who will take on the position of Chairman.

James joined Arthur Price in 2012 after completing his university studies and gaining invaluable experience at a direct marketing agency. Beginning his Arthur Price apprenticeship aged 23, James worked across all departments, and more recently managed the Sheffield factory and led the hotel, catering, and hospitality sales division.

Reflecting on his new role, James Price said, “For as long as I can remember Arthur Price has been my passion. I remember as a small child going into work with my dad, also seeing my grandfather in his office. Working in a family business isn’t a job, it’s a way of life and I look forward to stepping into these special shoes.

“My father has transformed the business from being mostly known for luxury cutlery to a tableware brand with growing sales both in the UK and abroad.

“His ability to navigate challenges like recessions and a pandemic has been nothing short of inspiring. As I step into this role, I will always welcome his wisdom and guidance.

“We also have an incredible team and together, I aim to uphold our legacy and contribute to the continued success of this iconic British brand.”

Simon and James Price with the original company minute book from 1902

Simon Price, who started his Arthur Price journey in 1982 said, “My father instilled in me the importance of experiencing every facet of the company, from working in the warehouse to selling on the road. James has undertaken the same journey and has excelled, demonstrating now he is more than ready to take the baton.

“As Chairman, I will gradually step back from daily operations and focus on planning, ensuring Arthur Price remains at the forefront of British cutlery across the globe. I also wish to do more voluntary work. I’ve been fortunate to be able to support the charitable sector and look forward to contributing even more.

“The role is called CEO but I think a more appropriate title is Guardian, someone entrusted with safeguarding the Arthur Price name and brand for future generations. I know the future of the company couldn’t be in safer hands.”

Arthur Price started in Aston, Birmingham in 1902 using a small gas engine to cast nickel silver ingots because the site had no electricity. After ten years the company had prospered and one of its first big contracts was supplying the Titanic. Innovation was key to business development – Arthur Price was the first to use chromium plate, the forerunner to stainless steel. British quality was a key selling point and after the second world war the company grew into a world-wide exporter.

After opening a factory in Sheffield in the 1950s, it repositioned itself as the maker of the finest cutlery supplying top hotels, cruise ships and airlines. Over the years the company has received two Royal Warrants and continued to adorn the top tables. More recently it has expanded its range to include everyday items which has led to significant expansion across the globe.

The Birmingham and Sheffield factories still produce the finest cutlery and holloware while the Lichfield headquarters is the centre for sales, distribution and administration. The Arthur Price Factory Shop in Lichfield is the location of the UK’s biggest cutlery shop.

August 19, 2025

Fifth Generation of Family-Owned Cutlery Firm Takes The Helm

“My father has transformed the business from being mostly known for luxury cutlery to a tableware brand with growing sales both in the UK and abroad.

“His ability to navigate challenges like recessions and a pandemic has been nothing short of inspiring. As I step into this role, I will always welcome his wisdom and guidance.

“We also have an incredible team and together, I aim to uphold our legacy and contribute to the continued success of this iconic British brand.”

Simon and James Price with the original company minute book from 1902

We Love Lichfield Receives Big Donation

Our CEO Simon is also patron to the community fund We Love Lichfield which has received a £10,000 donation from the business trading arm of Lichfield District Council. Lichfield West Midlands Traded Services (LWMTS) has donated funds from its annual surplus as part of its commitment to give back to the local area.

LWMTS is the wholly owned trading company of Lichfield District Council. It exists to deliver high-quality services to residents on behalf of the council. It also shares its award-winning expertise with other councils and organisations across the country. What makes LWMTS unique is its model and its values. All surpluses are reinvested back into local public services with the ability to donate to good causes in the district.

Alex Farrell, Chair of LWMTS said, “I’m delighted to make this donation. LWMTS has had an excellent year where we have been able to make significant returns to Lichfield District Council which will, in turn, be used to benefit local people. In addition, we can make donations to organisations we feel make a difference across the district.

“We Love Lichfield has raised and distributed over £420,000 to more than 400 different groups since it started a decade ago. It specifically helps smaller groups, who may not receive the limelight, but are the bedrock of the local voluntary community.

“By making this donation to We Love Lichfield and their unique knowledge and connections in the local voluntary sector, we are maximising our reach and benefitting as many people as possible who make a difference across the district.”

Some of the organisations to receive We Love Lichfield grants over the years include Spark in Burntwood, Whittington Community Computer Club and Friends 2 Friends.

Esther Allen from Spark Burntwood said, “Our groups have received multiple grants from We Love Lichfield which has helped us to provide vital services to local people. Without grants from We Love Lichfield we wouldn’t have been able to do much of our work for the community.”

Simon Price, Patron of We Love Lichfield said, “Wow. A huge thank you for this kind donation which will have a massive, positive effect on local voluntary groups across Lichfield, Burntwood and the surrounding villages.

“My thanks also go to Lichfield District Council for entrusting We Love Lichfield in assisting them in their grant and Community Lottery funds. To have the council as a partner gives us a boost to strive even harder to make a difference across our district.”

Grant applications can be made at any time throughout the year and We Love Lichfield are always looking for groups to apply for the first time. Grant awards are made twice a year in the Summer and at Christmas. For more information, please visit our website www.welovelichfield.com where you can find all the details.

We Love Lichfield is one of the Community Foundation For Staffordshire and Shropshire’s place based funds. It provides grants to a wide range of projects operating across the district of Lichfield. The fund considers applications from local groups in need twice a year. It raises money and then the returns are given away. Companies and individuals make up the bulk of the donors to the fund, either through direct donations, or by fundraising.

Since it started over a decade ago, We Love Lichfield has given away just over £420,000 in 428 grants to 228 organisations.

All the money raised is invested through an endowment fund in line with charity commission guidelines. The financial return from the fund is then distributed as small grants across the area. The beauty of this model is that it will provide a source of sustainable funding that can be used for grants long in to the future. It’s almost like a pension scheme set up to support community and voluntary groups across Lichfield. Individuals and businesses can raise money for We Love Lichfield. They can fund raise or they can donate via Enthuse here: https://cfss.enthuse.com/welovelichfield

Picture is Simon receiving a cheque from LWMTS’s Alex Farrell together with WLL and LWMTS representatives

May 12, 2025

New Trilogy of Talks about Lichfield announced

Local historian Jono Oates has announced a new trilogy of talks on Lichfield through the years in association with Arthur Price, with proceeds to We Love Lichfield.

In his first talk on Tuesday 20 May at 11am, Jono will be talk about the wide range of independent businesses of Lichfield during the mid to late Victorian period.

The second will chart the next small, but interesting period up to the beginning of World War I including Lichfield’s connection with the fated HMS Titanic – this talk is Tuesday 24 June at 7pm.

The final talk is the first time this period has been explored and showcased by Jono…the swinging sixties through to the early, and electric, eighties…a time of great change internationally and how this affected Lichfield. This talk will be on Friday 3 October at 11am.

Each talk costs £10 with proceeds to We Love Lichfield. All talks are being held at the Arthur Price Factory Shop, Britannia Way, Lichfield, WS14 9UY. There’s free parking right outside and refreshments will be served. There will also be an opportunity to browse the Factory Shop with an exclusive discount for talk attendees.

Places are limited. To book visit the Arthur Price Factory Shop or book online here:

The Victorian businesses of Lichfield – Victorian businesses of Lichfield

The beginnings of the 20^th Century in Lichfield – The beginnings of the 20th Century in Lichfield

Lichfield – The swinging sixties to the electric eighties – Lichfield: Swinging 60s to electric 80s

Jono Oates said, “I welcome everyone to these talks, which are going cover not just key periods in recent history but how international events and changes in society had an effect on Lichfield.. A huge thanks to Arthur Price for hosting which has the added benefit of free parking right outside. Simon Price is going to join us who will be able to give everyone an insight into the Arthur Price history during these three periods.”

Arthur Price Forges Partnership With Staffordshire Artist

We are delighted to announce a partnership with Staffordshire artist Jackie Roberts. Jackie’s prints and other merchandise, depicting local landmarks, are now sold at the Arthur Price Factory Shop on Britannia Way, Lichfield.

Jackie is a Staffordshire-based artist who draws local towns, cities and villages, inspired by the landmarks around her. Her prints, tea towels, coasters, tote bags, magnets and key rings of Lichfield landmarks and buildings including the Cathedral, Samuel Johnson’s birthplace, the Guildhall, Erasmus House and Donegal House, can now be bought at another recognisable venue, the Arthur Price Factory Shop.

Jackie said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be partnering with a well-known British brand like Arthur Price. They reached out to me saying they wanted to include my work because they love Lichfield and want to support other local businesses. I’ve got a fantastic display in their shop and I think it’s wonderful we are working together, which can only benefit us both.”

Bev Shepherd, Factory Shop Manager said, “We are all very proud Lichfieldians and it’s great to have such a talented local artist as Jackie selling her fantastic work in our shop. Just seeing Jackie’s work reminds me of how lucky we are to live in an area with so many beautiful buildings.

Simon Price, CEO of Arthur Price said, “Welcome Jackie. I’m a great believer in business partnerships. And as the challenging retail environment continues, partnerships and friendships are the way forward.”

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.

(Richard serving Simon inside the Auction Cafe)

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.

January 8, 2025