May
2009
Articles from 5th May 2009
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Free tips for family-run businesses to beat credit crunch
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
Tips on beating the credit crunch will be offered to family-run businesses at a free business forum in Warwickshire. Read
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Birmingham club Oceana fined £85,000 after man's death
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
A Birmingham nightclub has been fined £85,000 for failing to protect a customer who died in its car park during a night out with friends. Read
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Birmingham man injured in collision with bus
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
A teenager was taken to hospital after he was in collision with a bus near a Birmingham primary school. Read
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MP seeking 'openness' on £100m Shirley plan
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
The fate of a £100 million development to revive Shirley town centre has been shrouded in secrecy, an MP says. Read
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Birmingham City to decide how to celebrate promotion
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
Bosses at Birmingham City are set to decide what kind of celebrations they’ll have to mark the club’s re-entry into the Premier League. Read
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Man dies in Edgbaston crash during police pursuit
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
An innocent motorist died after his vehicle was hit by a car which is believed to have sped through red traffic lights as it was pursued by police in Birmingham. Read
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President, unique to UK's waterways, celebrates 100th birhday
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
A one hundred-year-old narrowboat that has been painstakingly restored by volunteers has drawn big crowds to the Black Country Living Museum. Read
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Hundreds of part-time Midland soldiers face axe
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
Hundreds of part-time soldiers in the region are facing the axe after the Government announced plans to restructure its reserve forces. Read
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West Midlands police officer knocked down by speeding car
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
A West Midlands police officer was seriously injured yesterday when he was struck by a car in a suburban street. Read
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Fears for 5,000 acres of West Midlands green belt
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
Up to 5,000 acres of green belt land could be developed if the West Midlands is forced to draw up plans to build 445,000 new homes, a leading conservation group has claimed. Read
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Birmingham Airport on alert as flight arrives from Mexico
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
A further case of swine flu has been confirmed in the West Midlands as a major screening operation was being put in place at Birmingham Airport for a flight arriving from Mexico. Read
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Six arrested after policeman is injured in hit-and-run
May 05 2009 | West Midlands News
Detectives investigating a hit-and-run incident in Stourbridge which left a police officer seriously injured have arrested six people on suspicion of attempted murder. Read
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Staffordshire launches pottery campaign
May 05 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
An event is being launched today to revitalise Staffordshire’s pottery industry after a series of high profile blows. Read
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New 145mph racing car is built out of vegetables and powered by chocolate
May 05 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Designers at the University of Warwick have unveiled a new racing car made of vegetables and powered by chocolate that will hit speeds of 145 miles per hour. Read
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Stimulus money to be ploughed into high-speed trains
May 05 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
Alstom, the manufacturer of France’s 199mph TGVs and Virgin’s Pendolinos, expects the rail sector to benefit as governments from the United States to China invest in high-speed railways as part of economic stimulus plans. Read
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Search for new chief of Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands
May 05 2009 | Manufacturing & Skills
The search is under way for a new chief executive of Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands after the previous incumbent announced he was stepping down. Read
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Villa are on the up, says John Carew
May 05 2009 | Aston Villa FC
John Carew believes Aston Villa are "going in the right direction" despite an end-of-season slump costing them the chance of a Champions League spot. Read
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Villa end winless sequence and leapfrog Everton
May 05 2009 | Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa 1 Hull City 0 - It was lucky 13 for Martin O’Neill’s men who ended a sequence of 12 games without a win and a clean sheet to leapfrog Everton into fifth place. Read
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Liam Ridgewell deserves Birmingham City cheers
May 05 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Euphoric scenes greeted the triumphant Birmingham City players as they dashed towards the Madejski Stadium’s away end on Sunday, but the biggest cheer was saved for a man not wearing the club’s unfamiliar red kit. Read
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Gold insists lessons have been learned at Birmingham City
May 05 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Chairman David Gold has insisted Birmingham City will "never again" be dragged into the off-field turmoil which he believes led to them being relegated from the Premier League last season. Read
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Schools advised as flu total rises
May 05 2009 | UK News
Legal advice on dealing with swine flu has been issued to private schools across the country as it was confirmed that another person has the virus. Read
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Swine flu leaflets delivered in UK
May 05 2009 | UK News
A nationwide leaflet campaign giving information about swine flu is due to start after 27 cases of the virus were confirmed in the UK. Read
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Baby put on a 3,000 calorie diet
May 05 2009 | UK News
A baby born prematurely is eating 3,000 calories every day to help her reach a healthy weight - more than the NHS daily recommended intake for men. Read
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Stab victim 'wrote name in blood'
May 05 2009 | UK News
A British student tried to write the name of his German love rival in his own blood as he was stabbed to death, a court has heard. Read
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'Royal support' for Gurkha campaign
May 05 2009 | UK News
A senior member of the Royal Family has privately expressed support for Joanna Lumley's campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, the actress revealed. Read
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16 on ban list 'named and shamed'
May 05 2009 | UK News
Sixteen people banned from entering the UK have been "named and shamed" by the Home Office. Read
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Smith support for Brown leadership
May 05 2009 | UK News
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has become the latest Cabinet member to back Gordon Brown's leadership after a weekend of speculation about his future. Read
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PM: Parent power to push councils
May 05 2009 | UK News
Local councils will be obliged to take action to improve education standards if there is "significant dissatisfaction" among local parents about secondary schools in their area, under proposals outlined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Read
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'Hit and run' death suspect named
May 05 2009 | UK News
Police have taken "an unusual step" and named a woman wanted in connection with a suspected hit and run collision which left an 11-year-old boy dead. Read
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EuroMillions jackpot soars to £110m
May 05 2009 | UK News
An estimated £110 million is up for grabs in this Friday's EuroMillions lottery jackpot. Read
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Union: Parent power plan is 'spin'
May 05 2009 | UK News
A teaching union has dismissed Gordon Brown's proposals to force local councils to improve schools if parents were unhappy, as "populist spin". Read
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Smith backs Brown's leadership
May 05 2009 | UK News
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has become the latest Cabinet member to back Gordon Brown's leadership after a weekend of speculation about his future. Read
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Race car gets chocolate power
May 05 2009 | UK News
A racing car which is powered and built from natural ingredients including chocolate, carrots and potatoes has been unveiled by researchers at the University of Warwick. Read
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Government rejects Mail compromise
May 05 2009 | UK News
The Government remained set for a clash with Labour MPs and unions after rejecting a new plan to help boost the finances of the Royal Mail without resorting to a controversial sell off of part of the business. Read
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Laos 'pressed' over pregnant Briton
May 05 2009 | UK News
The Government is "pressing" the authorities in Laos to ensure a pregnant British woman facing a possible death sentence gets legal representation, the Foreign Office has said. Read
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Peer's 'empty flat' expenses probed
May 05 2009 | UK News
A Labour peer is to be investigated by House of Lords officials over allegations that she used an empty flat to claim around £100,000 in taxpayer-funded expenses. Read
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Duchess 'backed Gurkha campaign'
May 05 2009 | UK News
The Duchess of Cornwall has privately backed the campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, it has been reported. Read
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'Glorious day of change' - Cameron
May 05 2009 | UK News
Tory leader David Cameron has launched his party's local election campaign - urging voters to give Gordon Brown's Government "a message it won't forget". Read
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Pregnant Brit 'will escape death'
May 05 2009 | UK News
A British woman accused of smuggling heroin in Laos will not face the death penalty if convicted because the country's law bans executing pregnant prisoners. Read
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Deal agreed to save van maker LDV
May 05 2009 | UK News
A last-ditch deal to save van maker LDV from going bust has been agreed with a Malaysian firm, safeguarding hundreds of jobs. Read
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44 shot dead during Turkey ceremony
May 05 2009 | UK News
Eight gunmen suspected of fatally shooting 44 people at an engagement ceremony in south-east Turkey have been arrested. Read
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44 die in 'feud' attack on wedding
May 05 2009 | UK News
Masked gunmen have attacked a wedding ceremony in south-eastern Turkey with automatic weapons, killing 44 people, including the bride and groom. Read
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Cameron launches May polls campaign
May 05 2009 | UK News
David Cameron is set to urge voters to tell Gordon Brown "enough is enough" as he launches the Tories' local election campaign. Read
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Worst of recession over, say firms
May 05 2009 | UK News
Businesses increasingly believe that the worst of the recession could be over, says a new report. Read
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Bid to crackdown on rogue landlords
May 05 2009 | UK News
A national registration system could be introduced to protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords, it is reported. Read
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Fifth school shuts over swine flu
May 05 2009 | UK News
Five UK schools are to remain closed as nine more cases of swine flu were confirmed, bringing the total number to 27. Read
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Legal help for Briton in Laos jail
May 05 2009 | UK News
A UK official and lawyer has flown to Laos to offer a pregnant British woman being held in jail support and advice. Read
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Excavation of mass war grave begins
May 05 2009 | UK News
Teams of experts are due to begin excavating the biggest Great War grave discovered in decades. Read
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Disabled 'pay more for journeys'
May 05 2009 | UK News
Disabled travellers often pay more for public transport than able-bodied passengers and suffer a worse service, according to a new report. Read
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Watchdog to handle Taser complaints
May 05 2009 | UK News
Police forces will have to pass all complaints about Taser guns to the police watchdog. Read
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45 die in 'feud' attack on wedding
May 05 2009 | UK News
Masked assailants with grenades and automatic weapons have attacked a wedding ceremony in south-east Turkey, killing 45 people and wounding six others. Read
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Cautious Mexico eases restrictions
May 05 2009 | UK News
Swine flu-hit Mexico has announced a return to normality. Read
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Projects will end mixed sex wards
May 05 2009 | UK News
More than 700 projects are planned across 200 health trusts in England as part of a drive to eliminate mixed sex accommodation in hospitals, Health Secretary Alan Johnson has announced. Read
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Brown to unveil new schools policy
May 05 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown is set to signal an extension of 'parent power'. Read
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NHS apologises after mother killed
May 05 2009 | UK News
A mental health trust has apologised to the family of a woman who was killed by a paranoid schizophrenic man after an independent report criticised his care. Read
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'Dr Death' holding suicide workshop
May 05 2009 | UK News
A controversial euthanasia activist dubbed Dr Death is due to hold the first of his suicide workshops across the UK to a seaside retirement town. Read
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Royal Mail compromise plan rejected
May 05 2009 | UK News
The Government remains on a collision course with Labour MPs and unions over the future of the Royal Mail after rejecting a compromise to its controversial plan to part-privatise the postal group. Read
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Tributes at Great War mass grave
May 05 2009 | UK News
Generals, ministers and villagers have gathered in a muddy corner of the French countryside to pay their respects to those buried in the biggest Great War grave discovered in decades. Read
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Pregnant Brit refused legal advice
May 05 2009 | UK News
A pregnant Briton who faces death by firing squad in Laos if convicted of drug smuggling has been allowed to see a British government official but refused the chance to speak to a lawyer. Read
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Symonds gets Australia nod
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been selected in Australia's 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in England next month. Read
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Dyson admits to Gayle concerns
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Frustrated coach John Dyson fears the West Indies could live to regret their decision to allow Chris Gayle to play in the Indian Premier League so close to the Test series against England. Read
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England won't regain Ashes - Boycott
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Geoffrey Boycott believes England's turbulent year off the the field could have cost them the chance of regaining the Ashes and is not convinced Andrew Strauss is a "natural captain". Read
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Hyypia wants regular role
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Sami Hyypia has revealed a desire for regular first-team football was behind his decision to leave Liverpool after 10 years - but he has not ruled out a return to Anfield in a coaching capacity. Read
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Cissokho claims Spurs interest
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Porto left-back Aly Cissokho is set to make a decision on his future at the end of the season after claiming Tottenham are interested in him. Read
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Barton suspended by Magpies
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has been suspended from the club until further notice. Read
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Villa boss O'Neill impressed with improved Carew
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa striker John Carew has answered his demands to show more consistency as his winner against Hull clinched a second successive season in Europe. Read
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Quins pair land awards
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Harlequins' Chris Robshaw and Jordan Turner-Hall claimed the top playing honours at Tuesday night's Guinness Premiership awards ceremony in London. Read
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Ronaldo materclass sends Reds to Rome
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Manchester United cruised into the final of the Champions League for the second successive season with a 3-1 win at Arsenal - a 4-1 aggregate victory. Read
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Ronaldo masterclass sends Reds to Rome
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson will attempt to rule Rome in the Champions League final in three weeks' time after 10-man Manchester United produced an awesome attacking display to destroy Arsenal 3-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate. Read
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Gillett optimistic about grand prix
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Donington Park chief executive Simon Gillett is "100% certain" the East Midlands circuit will host the 2010 British Grand Prix despite ongoing doubts over the financial viability of the project. Read
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United on the goal trail
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Sir Alex Ferguson will order his Manchester United team to go for goals as they look to secure a place in the Champions League final at Arsenal on Tuesday. Read
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Hatton 'devastated' after defeat
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Ricky Hatton has been left "devastated" by his knock-out defeat to Manny Pacquiao in their light-welterweight fight in Las Vegas at the weekend. Read
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Higgins eyeing more world titles
May 05 2009 | National Sport
John Higgins has set his sights on winning another two world titles after joining the small band of players to have triumphed three times. Read
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Wenger: Fans will be vital
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Arsene Wenger feels the Emirates Stadium crowd can prove "vital" in Arsenal's quest to overturn holders Manchester United and reach the final of the Champions League on Tuesday. Read
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Collingwood worries for Test future
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Paul Collingwood believes the financial rewards of playing Twenty20 must be relayed to Test cricket if the longest format of the game is to remain the "ultimate" goal for young players. Read
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Hatton undecided over future
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Ricky Hatton has admitted he does not know yet whether he will retire in the wake of his crushing defeat against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Read
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IPL players undercooked - Flower
May 05 2009 | National Sport
England coach Andy Flower concedes that his side's IPL contingent are short of match practice ahead of Wednesday's first Test against the West Indies. Read
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Gold learns lesson from takeover trauma
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Chairman David Gold has insisted Birmingham will "never again" be dragged into the off-field turmoil which he believes led to them being relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season. Read
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Hiddink key to Blues stars' future
May 05 2009 | National Sport
Guus Hiddink has warned Chelsea's players their future could be in his hands - even though his future is not at Stamford Bridge. Read
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England to bid for 2015 World Cup
May 05 2009 | National Sport
The Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will submit a bid to host the World Cup in 2015. Read
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Ian Westwood has high hopes of success as Warwickshire captain
May 05 2009 | Cricket News
Although it came sooner than expected, Ian Westwood’s wait to captain Warwickshire must have felt like an eternity. Read
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Saab slams brake on deal with Fiat
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
Saab yesterday slammed the brakes on speculation that it could be included in any bid by Fiat to take over General Motors’ European operations. Read
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LDV saved in last-ditch deal with Weststar
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
A last-ditch deal to save van maker LDV from going bust has been agreed with a Malaysian firm, safeguarding hundreds of jobs, according to reports. Read
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LDV saved in Weststar deal - but it depends on £5m Government loan
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
A last-ditch deal to save van maker LDV from going bust has been struck - just hours ahead of a hearing in the High Court to put the Birmingham vanmaker in administration. Read
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Huge awards for Royal Dutch Shell directors
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
Royal Dutch Shell could face protests over huge awards for top directors despite missing performance targets. Read
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BAA's losses widen as soaring debt charges hit hard
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
Airport operator BAA’s £9.6 billion debt mountain weighed it down in the first three months of 2009 despite a boost from higher airport fees. Read
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LDV tight-lipped over reports of takeover by Weststar
May 05 2009 | Automotive Business
LDV has said it could not confirm reports that it was being bought by Malaysian company Weststar only hours before it was due to go into administration. Read
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Former front row forward saves the day at Bard’s bash
May 05 2009 | John Bright
I couldn’t make it myself to the recent Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon, but apparently it was a greatly refreshed event, replacing the rather “fuddy duddy” effort of recent years. Read
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Cousins law firm doing good business one year on
May 05 2009 | Legal
An online Birmingham business law firm has marked its first birthday by expanding with the recruitment of an additional specialist litigator. Read
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New president takes the helm at Birmingham Law Society
May 05 2009 | Legal
A solicitor who started practice in Birmingham more than 40 years ago has a new role as president of the Birmingham Law Society. Read
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Green law group celebrates its 100th member
May 05 2009 | Legal
The Legal Sector Alliance – a group of law firms trying to reduce the environmental impact of their work – is celebrating the signing of its 100th member. Read
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Off-the-shelf wills could lead to trouble
May 05 2009 | Legal
Cheap, off-the-shelf wills are becoming more popular but may not stand up to the rigours of a court case in the event of a complex dispute, a lawyer has warned. Read
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Martineau appoints new property lawyer Amanda
May 05 2009 | Legal
Martineau has defied the collapse in the property market with the appointment of a new lawyer Amanda Hanmore to its real estate team. Read
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Credit crunch sees harmony break out between car rivals
May 05 2009 | City View
There is nothing like a credit crunch to encourage harmony between age old rivals. Read
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Lessons to be learnt at university
May 05 2009 | Agenda
People are often surprised that the head honcho of a university is actually the vice-chancellor. The chancellor’s role is ceremonial, rather like the Lord Mayor. Read
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Investbx offer free workshops to help firms seeking expansion funding
May 05 2009 | Innovation & Technology
Companies seeking to secure funding to finance expansion plans are being offered the chance to attend workshops with leading experts to find out more about options available. Read
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Apprentice trio have a Whale of a time at Solihull firm
May 05 2009 | Innovation & Technology
Solihull manufacturers Whale Tankers are innovating their way out of the recession – by providing a career lifeline to a trio of youngsters who recently completed an intensive four-year apprenticeship scheme. Read
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Companies still looking to invest in new IT
May 05 2009 | Innovation & Technology
More than 70 per cent of small firms in the West Midlands say they still plan to invest in IT despite the recession, according to a new e-Innovation survey. Read
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Sir Willard White at The Artrix, Bromsgrove
May 05 2009 | Music
A buzz of anticipation from a capacity crowd filled the Bromsgrove Artrix auditorium for Robeson Re-Explored, a captivating multi-faceted entertainment of the singer’s life delivered through words and music. Read
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Cheltenham Jazz Festival reviewed
May 05 2009 | Music
Peter Bacon reviews some of the highlights of the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Read
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Tasmin Little and Martin Roscoe, at Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon
May 05 2009 | Music
This was a beautifully balanced collaboration, the rapport between these two musicians permitting teasing little expressive nuances. Read
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Richard McComb: The baby game is no longer for us
May 05 2009 | More Columnists
It must be something in the water – there appear to be babies all around me. Read
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FSB will name and shame late payers
May 05 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Firms paying bills late are to be “named and shamed” after new research showed smaller firms were waiting longer for their money. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said £26 billion was owed to small firms. Read
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Stearman riposte to Wolves dressing-room banter
May 05 2009 | Wolves FC
Richard Stearman was delighted his goal ensured Wolverhampton Wanderers’ season ended on a high even though he later admitted he had left it late to score his first of the season! Read
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Standard Chartered's 'record levels of income and profit'
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Standard Chartered re-fuelled the stock market’s re-rating of bank shares yesterday with a management statement reporting “record levels of income and profit” in the first quarter of this year. Read
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Premium income boost for BHSF
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Birmingham-based health insurer BHSF increased its premium income by 25 per cent over the last year, despite the global financial downturn. Read
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Punch Taverns seeks advice on £4.5bn debts
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Debt-laden Midland pub company Punch Taverns is looking to appoint financial advisers to help it restructure if it breaches its debt covenants, according to reports. Read
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Survey sees consumer confidence soar
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
The first burst of spring sunshine and predictions of a sizzling summer have been accompanied by the biggest leap in nearly two years in Nationwide’s consumer confidence index last month. Read
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MPs warn pre-pack administration deals damage public confidence
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Pre-pack administrations – where struggling firms continue to trade after being sold debt-free to management – are damaging confidence in the insolvency system, MPs have said. Read
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Adidas profits shock
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Sportswear giant Adidas will be hoping for a World Cup-inspired boost after revealing a 97 per cent slide in profits for the first three months of this year. Read
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Rok campaigns against tax rates
May 05 2009 | Other UK business news
Maintenance and repair firm Rok has launched a campaign against tax rates they say are putting 250,000 construction jobs at risk. Read
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Kirkland insists there will be no favours for West Brom
May 05 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland admits there will be no room for sentiment when he returns to former club West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. Read
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Cautious West Bromwich Albion well-placed to avoid financial mire
May 05 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Chasing the dream of competing with the big boys may inspire the supporters but failure can have a catastrophic effect, as the fans of Leeds United and Leicester City will testify Read
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Buoyant start for London markets
May 05 2009 | Financial
The FTSE 100 Index surged more than two per cent ahead as investors rode a wave of economic optimism and played catch-up after the bank holiday weekend. Read
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Swiss bank UBS suffers £1.2bn loss after £1bn write-down
May 05 2009 | Financial
Ailing Swiss bank UBS has confirmed it made a £1.2 billion loss in the last quarter after writing down more than £1 billion worth of investments. Read
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Survey shows business confidence rising
May 05 2009 | Financial
A new report shows businesses believe the UK will avoid a period of deflation and rising confidence suggests the worst of the recession could be over. Read
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Gains and losses for Midland business in Budget
May 05 2009 | Financial
As the dust settles on Alistair Darling’s Budget, Ashley Hollinshead, head of entrepreneurial business tax in the Midlands at professional services firm Deloitte, considers the impact for the region Read
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Honourable Arshavin deserves our respect
May 05 2009 | Sports Comment
Pictures of the Automobile Association towing away another high-powered sports car after a crash are unlikely to stop footballers racing round in flashy boys’ toys. Read
