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Top story
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New York and new hotels for UCL
Urban Country and Leisure (UCL), the Birmingham-based pub and restaurant management operator, is eyeing five new hotels for potential refurbishment following the purchase of Warwick’s The Globe hotel. The company’s founder, Ross Sanders, told Insider the company would like to expand overseas and has been “looking over in New York”. Sanders revealed the company's plans to branch out with a £15m expansion plan.
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Deals
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Mitchells and Butlers to sell 333 pubs
Mitchells and Butlers has announced plans to sell 333 of its pubs to the Stonegate Pub Company for £373m. The Birmingham-based pub-chain said the move was part of its strategy to withdraw from the “lower price, drinks led market”.
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Sovereign Capital acquires again
Enable Infomatrix, a Stratford-based software management company, has been sold to private equity house Sovereign Capital. The business will now become part of a group of companies focused on the governance, risk and compliance sector.
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Clearwater advises agricultural deal
Clearwater Corporate Finance's Birmingham team has advised on the sale of a Dublin-based crop protection chemicals developer to agricultural manufacturer Mitsui Agriscience International (MASI). The deal is Clearwater’s eighth in the chemicals sector since January 2008.
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Property
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£75m tower and 500 jobs for Birmingham
A £75m 25-floor building is being lined up for the "Bond Street" of Birmingham. It is estimated the creation of the Queensgate project will create up to 500 jobs.
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St Modwen has the Quay
Birmingham-based regeneration specialist St Modwen has announced five retail lettings at its £15m development in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. Deals have been secured with five new retailers at the six-acre district centre: Greggs, Bargain Booze, Just Go Travel, Corbett bookmakers and Barnardos.
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Bourne care home completed
FE Peacock, the construction company based in Bourne, has completed a 88-bedroom care home on land at Southfield Business Park in Bourne. The home is expected to provide employment for up to 100 people.
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Business
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Birmingham LEP gains another member
Burton and District Chamber of Commerce has joined Lichfield and Tamworth in backing the Birmingham and Solihull LEP. It is now awaiting confirmation from East Staffordshire Borough Council about which LEP it will join after “extensive discussions”.
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Up to 26 applicants per job in West Midlands
Job applicants in the West Midlands are facing tough competition with up to 26 applications being submitted for each vacancy, Insider can exclusively reveal. In the East Midlands, applicants are faring slightly better where up to 16 people are applying for every one vacancy.
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Later retirement will mean more employment tribunals - claim
A Black Country employment lawyer is warning businesses could face an increase in “costly tribunals” brought on by “disgruntled workers” following the government’s move to increase the retirement age.
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£110,000 up for grabs at Morgan Awards
There are three weeks left for Midlands companies to enter the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2010. There are £110,000 in cash prizes and services to be won - including £20,000 for best new business - but entries must be in by September 10. Insider is the media partner of the awards.
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Other News
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Marston's recruits Rowland
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Team Simoco completes water network
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Bosco founder joins The Vinden Partnership
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Do you need help sourcing new clients?
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Community
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In Focus: Our survey said…
There may be lies, damned lies and statistics, but what can we learn from the recent surveys that either foretell disaster or recovery for the region? Andy Coyne has been sorting the wheat from the chaff.
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Talking point: Embracing change
The public sector faces an uncertain future, but it's not all doom and gloom. Martin Yardley director, city services and development at Coventry City Council, gives us reasons to be cheerful.
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Advice
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Trade sales
Simon Chapman, partner at Burgis & Bullock Corporate Finance, is here to share his wisdom in our Ask the Expert feature. He has been examining trade trade sales, so if you have any questions about your business, read on.
For Insider's full guide to selling a business click here.
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Forthcoming Experts
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Finalising the sale & transferring ownership
The final stages of a deal can be the most intense and stressful; you'll need good advice to steer you through. Ran Oren, partner and head of corporate & finance at Flint Bishop, is on hand to help.
For Insider's full guide to Selling Your Business click here.
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