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M&B enjoy a better than expected Christmas

The owner of some of Britain’s best known pubs has revealed busier-than-expected Christmas trading despite the economic storm clouds.Read

West Midlands business leaders call for more QE cash for economy

City business leaders called on the Bank of England to pump another £50 billion into the economy after it emerged economic activity shrank in the final quarter of last year, raising fears the UK faces another recession.Read

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce backs elected mayor campaign

Birmingham’s business community is now firmly behind an elected mayor for Birmingham after the Chamber of Commerce formally joined Birmingham Forward in the ‘yes’ camp.Read

Construction industry continues to decline in wait for 2016 projects

The West Midlands construction sector will shrink at an average rate of 1.1 per cent every year until 2016, according to a new report.Read

Hedge fund fined £7.2m after Punch Taverns share sale probe

One of the world’s most high-profile hedge fund managers has been fined £3.6 million after a probe into share dealing at a major Midand pubs company.Read

£1m revamp planned for Birmingham gay club The Nightingale

More than £1 million is to be spent transforming Birmingham’s famous Nightingale club into a venue fit for the 21st century.Read

Pubs group Calco collapses amid 'difficult conditions'

A group that owns dozens of pubs in the Midlands has collapsed into administration after being hit by “difficult market conditions”.Read

WH Smith improves profit margins despite sales fall

Retail giant WH Smith has improved profit margins despite a fall in sales amid tough times on the High Street.Read

'Mediocre standards' holding back construction sector

A West Midlands construction expert has warned that “outdated attitudes” and “mediocre standards” must be eradicated to help the crisis-hit sector back onto its feet.Read

Meriden MP Caroline Spelman calls for supermarket watchdog

A new supermarket watchdog could help keep down the price of food, West Midlands MP Caroline Spelman has insisted.Read

Solihull hotel hails success of apprenticeship scheme

A Solihull hotel’s decision to take on apprentices for the first time has proved so successful it has prompted a move to make apprenticeships part of its recruitment policy.Read

Jobs saved after Cooks The Bakery stores are sold

Dozens of jobs have been saved after six bakery stores were sold off following the collapse of a formerly giant West Midlands firm.Read

Ryanair launches Birmingham to Budapest flight

Ryanair has announced a new route linking Birmingham with the Hungarian capital Budapest.Read

Birmingham charity BXL collapses after being hit by spending cuts

A charity that works to get young people and adults into jobs in Birmingham has collapsed into administration after suffering with a pension deficits and spending cuts.Read

Fall in journeys on M6 toll as economic gloom bites

The number of people travelling on the M6toll road has fallen by more than 10 per cent after demand was hit by tough economic conditions.Read

Supermarkets have key role in West Midlands regeneration, claims property group GVA

Multi-million pound supermarkets are providing a catalyst for some of the most important regeneration schemes in the West Midlands, according to property experts GVA.Read

Record visitor numbers at Cadbury World in Birmingham

Birmingham tourist attraction Cadbury World has revealed a record number of visitors last year.Read

Call for community pubs to be given tax breaks

Pubs which improve community life should be given tax breaks to help them survive, according to a report by a leading think-tank.Read

40 years on from the miners' battle of Saltley Coke works

Jon Griffin marks next month’s 40th anniversary of a Birmingham industrial dispute which signalled the beginning of the end for Prime Minister Ted Heath. Read

Marston’s appoints Guardian Media Group director as non-executive

Pub operator and brewer Marston’s has appointed a Guardian Media Group director as a non-executive.Read