Something for the weekend
Band on the Brum
What it is to be immortalised in song. Warren Beatty in You're So Vain, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana in Candle in The Wind…err…There's a Guy Works Down the Chipshop Swears He's Elvis. Ah, there’s nothing like a haunting melody and some gentle lyrics to catch the soul of a person in the heart and history. But why stop at people?
Birmingham Improvement District (BID) is having its work in tarting up – I mean improving the public realm - around Colmore Row captured in a ditty by jazz band Tipitina entitled "Taking Care of Business" on their next CD. Apparently it's an homage by the band after BID booked the band at this summer's jazz fest and recorded a live set here. Think we may talking a Mercury Prize or even a Grammy at the least.
Round at the Baskervilles
"Key business organisations are set to create a new nerve centre for economic development!" roared some of the local press to its readers last week about the plans to move a bevvy of biz bodies to Baskerville House (trying saying that after a couple of shorts at Metro Bar).
Among those apparently upping sticks is Aston Reinvestment Trust, all of which came as a bit of a surprise to chief exec Steve Walker. "Knew nothing about the announcement," added Steve. "We've been looking at it but our board has still yet to confirm the move." Still he admits that having a closed office "something to do with financial regulations" on an open plan floor does have its attractions.
'tis the season…
Lots of Midlands businesses think it’s time to take a Christmas break – a break from the comfort and joy bit, that is. According to Close Invoice Finance, who reckon themselves to be experts in all things festive despite being asset-based lenders, two-fifths of Midlands companies have scrapped the annual staff booze-up and under-the-mistletoe snogathon to save a bit of cash.
Were that not enough, a good number are making the Christmas break shorter and have reminded staff that unauthorised absence – otherwise known as a duvet day nursing a hangover - will result in disciplinary action. So with that in mind may we wish you all a low alcohol, harder working, company policy observing, shorter and more productive Christmas. Bet that's got you all in festive the mood...
