Updated 4:47am 28 May 2012

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Jewellery Quarter

Jewellery Quarter firms vote for business improvement district

COMPANIES in the Jewellery Quarter have voted in favour of creating a business improvement district for the area.Read

More appointments at Hotel Indigo owner Sanguine Hospitality

A Birmingham hotel and restaurant has announced further members of its new senior management team.Read

Ben Reid

Profits rise for Midcounties Co-operative despite tough climate

Retailer Midcounties Co-operative has revealed a 15 per cent rise in operating profits despite the tough climate on the High Street.Read

Other UK business news

£15.2m Medicals Direct Group sale advised in Birmingham

Midland-based Catalyst Corporate Finance has advised on the sale of Medicals Direct Group to Capita for up to £15.2 million.Read

Midlands LEP looking for new chair after surprise resignation

The chairman of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership has stepped down to concentrate on his own business dealings - and to allow the LEP to grow.Read

A shopper battles against the rain outside Birmingham's Mailbox

Wet April spells disastrous month for retailers

Heavy downpours during April hit footfall on Britain’s high streets as town centres witnessed the worst decline in shopper numbers since November 2009, a report has revealed.Read

Punch Taverns

Pub group Punch set for battle over control amid plans to reduce debt mountain

Britain’s biggest pub operator has reportedly started controversial talks to reduce its £2.3 billion debt mountain, which are set to spark a bitter battle for control of the company.Read

Santander

Santander boss tells Birmingham firms: Your money is safe with us

Santander’s head of UK banking has moved to reassure Birmingham business leaders that their money is safe amid fears of a run on Spanish banks.Read

Housing estate

Soaring energy costs hitting tenants harder than homeowners, says RICS

Private tenants are harder hit by soaring energy costs than homeowners – with those in the West Midlands spending the most in the UK to fuel their homes.Read

The Future Commission

Future Commission seeking to attract professional talent to Birmingham

How Birmingham can attract and retain the best young professionals – rather than them finding themselves in the city by accident – is set to be the subject of a major new study.Read

farming

The drought and the deluge that left Midlands farmers on the brink

With the wettest April on record coming just weeks after a drought was declared, it is not surprising the region’s farmers and food suppliers have been facing a nervous few months.Read

BYPY trophies

Photos: Aktar Islam named Birmingham Young Professional of the Year

One of Birmingham’s leading restaurateurs has become the latest winner of the Birmingham Young Professional of the Year title.Read

Aer Lingus to run Birmingham-Knock route after bmibaby closure

Irish airline Aer Lingus is to take over the route linking Birmingham Airport with Knock in the west of Ireland after the closure of budget airline bmibaby was announced.Read

Digby Jones

Lord Digby Jones blasts 'lynch mob' mentality which attacks top earners

The “lynch mob” mentality that cost Fred Goodwin his knighthood and fellow banker Stephen Hester his bonus will damage British business, Lord Jones of Birmingham has warned.Read

Food focus helps Marston’s achieve sales rise

Midland brewer Marston’s has revealed a 7.6 per cent increase in sales on the back of a focus on food revenue.Read

Birmingham Post

Fall in insolvency - but parts of West Midlands remain hardest hit

The number of people being declared insolvent in the West Midlands has fallen to the lowest level since before the banking collapse – but parts of the region remain among the hardest hit.Read

club cricket

Warwickshire Taverners Trophy: Clement Keys edge past Gateleys

Rain has continued to play havoc with the Warwickshire Taverners corporate cricket tournament.Read

Jobs boost after £4m Hogarths hotel work completed

A major £4 million development at hotel and wedding venue Hogarths has been completed.Read

Boost for Birmingham Science Park photonics team with new appointment

A business development manager has been appointed to source new revenue streams for a lighting research centre at Birmingham Science Park.Read

Home care franchise pledges 500 jobs in the West Midlands

A home care franchise has pledged to create 500 jobs in the West Midlands this year due to increasing demand for its services.Read