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Top story
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Banks in Olympics design snub
Fashion guru Jeff Banks has told Insider he stepped down from the bidding to design the 2012 Olympics Team GB athletes' outfits because the price was too high. Banks, who co-founded Coleshill-based retailer Incorporatewear, said the winning bidder paid about £12m for the design work. The retailer also told Insider about Incorporatewear’s plans to launch a new division of corporate clothing aimed at small businesses.
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Deals
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Aspire follows acquisition trail with £28m loan
The Aspire Group, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been granted £28m of funding to expand the business. The social enterprise group, which secured the investment from Barclays and Lloyds TSB, said it will use the cash to provide 300 new properties and complete a series of acquisitions.
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Property
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Euro Car Parts expands into Warwickshire
Euro Car Parts, the UK’s largest supplier of parts and garage equipment, has relocated its national distribution centre to a 256,000 sq ft logistics facility in North Warwickshire. The site was built by West Bromwich-based Anglo Holt Construction in a contract worth £6.7m.
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Business
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Something for the weekend
This week's offering of the most bizarre stories to land on Insider's newsdesk include: Racing certainty; Dubai dream; In the mix.
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CDU appoints administrators
Administrators have been appointed to Leek-based CDU. CDU, formerly known as Slimma, manufactures women's clothing. T
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Rivo Software launches American dream
A Warwickshire software company has expanded its operations by opening an office in New York. Rivo Software said its overseas launch will help grow its North American client base.
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Beware of remuneration law changes, says PwC
Midlands employers need to review their remuneration practices in light of forthcoming legislation, accountancy firm PwC is warning. New rules could outlaw some forms of avoiding or deferring income tax or National Insurance payments.
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Coventry business network launched
A new business network has been launched in Coventry for graduates of a Warwick Business School programme. Small and medium sized business owners are now being invited to join the Warwick Business Growth Network (WBGN).
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UK retail sales fall in February
The volume of UK retail sales fell by 0.8 per cent in February, it has been revealed.
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Insider Membership – Communicate with Midlands Top Companies
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Community
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Talking Point: Getting in the zone
RSM Tenon’s Carol Barrie defends the track record of Midlands enterprise zones, such as the one that created Merry Hill.
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In Focus: Access some areas
Andy Coyne discusses why work needs to be done to rebuild relationships between banks and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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