|
Top story
|
High-speed positions harden
The debate over HS2 - the high-speed rail line that would link Birmingham and London in 49 minutes - appears to be polarising with business interests in the 'yes' corner and opposition coming predominantly from those representing residents and the environment. A special feature on the subject will appear in the July issue of Midlands Business Insider and it confirms that business opinion formers in the Birmingham area are foursquare behind the plans, which they see as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city and wider region.
|
|
Deals
|
Jumar develops down under
Jumar has set up an Australian subsidiary. The Birmingham IT recruitment and services provider has created Jumar Solutions Australia following a joint venture with Australian company Encode Services.
|
Sharp slowdown in M&A activity – survey
There was a sharp decrease in merger and acquisitions activity at listed companies in the UK during the first quarter of the year, according to research by law firm Wedlake Bell.
|
Aston Business School gets food study funding
Aston Business School has received €217,000 (£192,402) in European Union funding. The cash will help support its research into how the internet will affect the journey of food products in future.
|
|
Property
|
£13.5m leisure project gets green light
Plans to create a community swimming pool and leisure centre in Sparkhill have come to fruition after Birmingham City Council agreed to give the go-ahead. Officials said they are confident "significant savings" can be made from the £13.5m estimated cost of the venture.
|
Tradewind breezes into Birmingham
Tradewind Recruitment has chosen Birmingham as the location for its first venture outside London. The agency has taken a lease on office space at 2 Blucher Street in the city centre.
|
Coventry tower trio in £4m boost
Three of Coventry’s high rise blocks are set to receive a £4m upgrade. The funding, provided by Whitefriars Housing, will go towards internal refurbishments and new roofing.
|
|
Business
|
Birmingham could lose second city crown
Former trade minister Lord Jones has said Birmingham is in "grave danger" of losing its second city title if universities, transport, skills bases and civic leadership were compared to that of Manchester. He added that the city has "almost the lowest skills base in the country".
|
Taxi sales plunge at Manganese Bronze
Sales of Manganese Bronze Holding's London taxi cabs have dropped by 5.2 per cent in the UK for the first quarter of 2011. The Coventry-based company said taxi driver earnings and confidence had been "negatively affected" by the economic climate.
|
Profits fall at Enterprise Inns
Solihull pubco Enterprise Inns has experienced a £30m drop in pre-tax profit. The company said it netted £61m before tax for the six months ending 31 March in an interim statement this morning, where it added it had agreed terms on a £625m new forward start facility.
|
Insider Membership – Communicate with Midlands Top Companies
Looking to develop your business? Want to expand your commercial reach? Try a sample of our Midlands Top 500 Companies marketing data list. Insider membership provides its members with up to date local business data, editorial, advice, networking events. Request a free data sample and membership information today.
|
