Home Business Business News Other UK business news

Colmore BID launch sees strong support from Birmingham business

The prospectus for a new initiative that will encourage businesses in the Colmore quarter to contribute towards improvements to the area has been launched. Read

Dairy farms hit hard by severe cutbacks

With recent high food prices you could be fooled into thinking that British farmers are now laughing all the way to the bank. Read

Nailcote Hall boss counts the cost as RBS cancels Christmas party

A Warwickshire hotelier is set to lose thousands of pounds after under-fire bank managers bowed to pressure and cancelled their Christmas party. Read

Capita to create 280 jobs in Birmingham

Government services contractor Capita is set to create 280 new jobs in Birmingham after taking over the controversial Education Maintenance Allowance and launching a new recycling scheme. Read

How video conferences meet the needs of the crunch

As the recession tightens its icy fingers around the neck of the business community, companies study their balance books with increasing trepidation. Read

Claimar boss disappointed with results despite success

The chairman of healthcare group Claimar has announced his company’s “disappointing” trading results - despite an increase in turnover of 136% and the creation last week of an extra 1,500 jobs. Read

Mitchells & Butlers chief bullish over market prospects

The top man at Mitchells and Butlers has come out fighting and predicted major market share gains for the Birmingham pub group – despite a huge profits slump. Read

Halfords to cut staff at head office in Redditch

The economic downturn looks set to strike another big High Street name this week amid claims that Halfords is set to cut a quarter of its head office staff. Read

Call for Asian business leaders to have a greater say in West Midlands

A prominent figure in the Asian business community has challenged large institutions in the West Midlands to address an undercurrent of prejudice limiting opportunities for Asian business leaders. Read

Institute of Asian Business teams up with Birmingham Chamber

After fears that it may close, the Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) has agreed a five-year investment plan with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to bolster the influence of Asian business leaders on regional economic policy. Read

Acme Whistles chief is new head of West Midlands Chambers

City business boss Simon Topman has taken up the top job at the newly renamed West Midlands Chambers. Read

Snook has smile in recession

A training and qualifications firm based in the West Midlands is one of the few businesses to raise a smile during the recession. Read

CBI warns of Christmas meltdown on High Street

Business leaders warned of a Christmas sales meltdown today after a bigger than expected fall in high street sales in the first half of November. Read

John Lewis sees sales fall 20 per cent

Five John Lewis stores saw sales fall by more than 20% last week as the department store chain faced up to heavy discounting by rivals. Read

Care group Claimar to create 500 jobs in Midlands

Birmingham-based care provider Claimar has pierced the economic gloom with plans to create around 500 jobs in the Midlands as part of a huge national expansion programme. Read

Woolworths attracts several interested parties, says administrator

The administrators of ailing retailer Woolworths today said they would be looking for a "suitable buyer for all parts of the business". Read

Mitchells & Butlers shares rise despite dividend cut

Investors raised a glass to Mitchells & Butlers yesterday even though the Birmingham-based pubs operator scrapped its final dividend and told shareholders not to expect a resumption before 2010. Read

Birmingham Airport expects to fill gap left by Bmibaby

Birmingham International Airport yesterday pledged to find new carriers to take over after one of its customers cut a number of routes because of the global financial downturn. Read

What went wrong at Woolworths?

The decision to place Woolworths' ailing retail and wholesale divisions into administration has raised fears for the future of its 30,000 staff and one of Britain's best known names on the high street. So what caused the failure of the 99-year-old firm. Read

Profits up for Britvic despite downturn in juice sales

Soft drinks maker Britvic produced a 14 per cent rise in profits after its Robinsons squash, Pepsi and Fruit Shoot brands outperformed the market. Read