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Top story
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HS2 will give Birmingham 'competitive edge'
The High Speed 2 rail project will give Birmingham a competitive edge when securing investment and new business. That's according to various business organisations throughout the region in the wake of George Osborne's announcement that it will create 8,000 permanent jobs. The Chancellor, speaking yesterday in Birmingham, also said the £17bn project would create 10,000 jobs during construction.
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Deals
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DLA Piper confirms Australia merger
DLA Piper, which has an office in Birmingham, is set to merge with Australian business law firm DLA Phillips Fox. The deal will create what is believed to be the biggest business law firm in the world, which will create an estimated annual revenue of £195m.
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Simply Eat goes to market
Simply Eat has announced plans to open up a franchise offer. The sandwich bar chain currently has outlets in Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Halesowen and Derby.
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Property
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Stratford housing scheme gets underway
Construction will begin at a £4.6m social housing development in Stratford-upon-Avon following a deal between developer Orbit Homes and William Davies.
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Trio in at Topaz Business Park
Three companies have agreed leases at Maximus’ newly completed Topaz Business Park in Bromsgrove. Among the deals agreed with Worcester-based developer Maximus is a ten-year lease taken by actuary Barnett Waddingham.
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Business
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West Mids insolvencies drop 22 per cent
The number of companies declared insolvent in the West Midlands fell by more than a fifth (22 per cent) in 2010. That’s according to accountant RSM Tenon’s latest research, which suggested that businesses in the region are failing at a slower rate than the UK average.
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70 jobs axed as Image Styles Groups enters administration
More than 70 jobs have been lost after a Tipton-based construction company fell into administration. The Birmingham office of RSM Tenon has been appointed as administrators for the Image Styles Group, which blamed the economic downturn for its demise.
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Marston's plans new pubs after "strong" Christmas
Wolverhampton pubco Marston’s has delivered what it calls “an encouraging and robust performance” for the 16 weeks to 22 January 2011. Like-for-like sales in the Christmas trading period rose by more than 11 per cent, and the company said it plans to open a further 45 pubs in the next two years.
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First4Staff eyes Birmingham expansion
A Wolverhampton-based recruitment specialist has revealed plans for growth. First4Staff, which has offices in Chapel Ash and Cannock, is mulling over its expansion options including opening a Birmingham office.
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