|
Top story
|
Coventry Building Society 'to launch Northern Rock bid'
Coventry Building Society has expressed an interest in buying nationalised bank Northern Rock. The building society said Northern Rock’s customers would benefit if the bank was remutualised as part of the Coventry organisation, which said it has performed well throughout the financial crisis.
|
|
Deals
|
Birmingham bankers back Judges Scientific
The Birmingham office of Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets has agreed a £2.4m funding package for AIM-listed Judges Scientific. The company, which designs and produces scientific instruments, said the investment would boost growth following its acquisition of microscope specialist Deben.
|
Major deal done for undisclosed sum
A major West Midlands company has today made an acquisition of an unnamed company for an undisclosed sum. One of the advisers on the deal, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “This is a cracking deal and sends out a clear message that the professional and financial community can work together to complete deals.”
|
Davey unveils changes to ‘pre-packs’
New rules for controversial 'pre-pack' administrations could make it harder for business owners to regain control of failing companies. They have been revealed by Ed Davey, the BIS minister with responsibility for the insolvency regime.
|
|
Property
|
Multibuild to create Birmingham Hilton
Contractors have been appointed to build Birmingham’s Hampton by Hilton hotel. Multibuild will transform a disused 17-storey office block into Europe’s largest Hampton by Hilton site.
|
JBP expands into Birmingham
Bristol-based JBP has opened up at Brindley Place in Birmingham. The PR and parliamentary affairs specialist has expanded with the aim of increasing its West Midlands client base.
|
Banks are hurting property market - LSH
A lack of bank lending is threatening the recovery of the Midlands property market. That's the view of Ian Kibble, regional director of the Birmingham office of Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
|
|
Business
|
Something for the weekend
This week's dose of West Midlands satire includes: By George, Skinner's frank approach and Too much pressure
|
Business needs more money - Bailey
There is not enough money available for business support and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are "unproven as yet". That's according to Adrian Bailey, the House of Commons' Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee chairman, who told Insider he fears small businesses could "lose out" following the axing of the regional development agencies (RDAs).
|
Fusion grows with 100 new job roles
Coventry-based call centre Fusion is creating 100 new jobs at its Mile Lane site. The recruitment drive follows the company’s move in October last year, when another 100 employees were recruited.
|
