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BP increases shareholder payout

BP signalled a further step in its recovery today by hiking its payout for shareholders for the first time since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.Read

Birmingham to compete for conference trade at London event

Birmingham’s business tourism agency aims to bring more conference and convention trade to the city with a strong presence at International Confex 2012.Read

Music Magpie making the most of tough times

A business that buys and sells used CDs, DVDs and video games online enjoyed its busiest ever day last month as people sold unwanted Christmas gifts to free up cash.Read

Chamber wants more quantitative easing

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group has urged the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to increase its quantitative easing programme.Read

Retail trade show Spring Fair comes to Birmingham NEC

Thousands of retail trade buyers and sellers will be at the NEC this week for Spring Fair International 2012.Read

Boris Island v Birmingham Airport: The debate over UK's air traffic expansion

Does the UK need the ‘Boris Island’ airport in the Thames Estuary or is there a solution to be found at existing facilities in the regions? Experts from both camps offer their arguments.Read

Fitness First in talks over loans

The largest health club group in the world - Fitness First - is facing tough discussions with its lenders as it moves close to breaching bank loan terms.Read

Birmingham baker Loaf to raise money through 'bread bonds'

A community bakery in Birmingham is issuing “bread bonds” to help finance its expansion from the owner’s kitchen to a custom built premises.Read

LDC back Pertemps and Network Group Holdings growth plans

Pertemps and AIM-listed Network Group Holdings are set to be reunited through a management buy-out of both businesses by a joint management team.Read

The Works named top Midlands company in private-equity-backed league table

Fourteen Midland companies are featured in the Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s top private-equity-backed companies with the fastest-growing profits over the last two years.Read

Birmingham Airport launches Flight School to inspire children

A new facility at Birmingham Airport aimed at making science and technology more attractive to children has been launched by Business Secretary Vince Cable.Read

Michael Heseltine to speak at Birmingham Chamber annual dinner

Lord Michael Heseltine and John Lewis chief Andy Street have been lined up to speak at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.Read

Oldbury fish and chips restaurant Chamberlains best newcomer in UK

A Black Country fish and chip restaurant has landed a top national award less than a year after opening.Read

£1.2m council aid for Birmingham businesses hit by 2011 riots

Around 900 riot-hit Birmingham businesses received £1.2 million in council aid to recover trade from last August’s disturbances.Read

Birmingham Metropolitan College principal Christine Braddock joins Greater Birmingham LEP board

One of the city’s best known educationalists has joined the board of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership which also needs two new members.Read

Spanish firm CAF preferred bidder for £40m Midland Metro contract

Spanish manufacturer CAF has been picked as preferred bidder to build up to 25 Urbos Three trams for the new £40 million Midland Metro fleet.Read

Private companies invited to take over back office functions at West Midlands Police

Private firms are to bid to run back office functions at West Midlands Police after officials launched a tender for contracts.Read

Two West Midlands LEPs to receive grants worth £23.7m

Two West Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships have successfully applied for grants totalling £23.67 million from the Government’s Growing Places initiative.Read

New hope for Birmingham's Icknield Port Loop canal regeneration project

A high profile regeneration scheme that faltered as the economy collapsed has been given fresh hope after the landowners submitted new plans and the Government pledged funds to kickstart stalled projects.Read

M6 Toll road one of the most expensive in Europe

The M6 Toll is set to become one of the most expensive in Europe after seeing its eighth price rise in nine years.Read