|
Top story
|
West Mids budget predictions unveiled
The region’s businesses are calling for a ‘Budget for growth’ when the Chancellor delivers his report on Wednesday. Accountancy firms PwC and RSM Tenon have highlighted the need for Enterprise Zones in the region, while the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is calling on George Osborne to encourage bank lending to small businesses. Roger Bootle, economic adviser to Deloitte, suggests that the planned rise in fuel duty may be abandoned, but insists that “the big squeeze is still coming”.
|
|
Deals
|
Phones4U in £700m sale
Staffordshire-headquartered Phones4U has been sold in a deal believed to be worth £700m. BC Partners has snapped up the mobile phone retailer which has more than 500 stores and employs about 6,000 staff.
|
EV invests in Trekmates
The Birmingham office of venture capitalist EV has secured a minority equity stake in Trekmates, the Nottingham-based outdoor brand. The investment is part of an £8.7m deal.
|
|
Property
|
Crowe Clark Whitehill creates Midlands centre
Audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill has agreed terms on one floor of the newly-refurbished Black Country House in Oldbury. The new office will combine the firm’s Midlands operations, which were previously based in Walsall and Kidderminster.
|
Profits soar at Savills
Pre-tax profit has shot up 173 per cent at property agent Savills. The firm, which has an office in Birmingham, said that profit before tax had reached £36.8m in its year-end results.
|
Kadfire grows into Trafford Park
Redditch-based Kadfire has expanded into premises in the town. The marketing company has moved into more than 10,600 sq ft of office space in Trafford Park Industrial Estate.
|
JP Dillon markets care homes scheme
Property consultant JP Dillon has been appointed to market a site in Bromsgrove town centre for redevelopment as a care village. The 2.3-acre site on the corner of Recreation Road and Market Street is being marketed for a residential scheme suitable for retirement living.
|
|
Business
|
12,000 more millionaires in the Midlands
The Midlands is home to the second highest number of millionaires in the country. According to a report by Barclays Wealth, the number of millionaires in the region has increased by 15 per cent in the last two years.
|
Clegg calls on manufacturing to boost UK
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called on the manufacturing industry to play a main role in rebalancing the UK economy. Speaking at the Global Manufacturing Festival in Sheffield, he said manufacturing is "absolutely central" to driving growth.
|
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.
|
Midlands Business Insider editor Andy Coyne on the necessity for pro-HS2 campaigners to make their voices heard.
