http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/ Check out UK and local Birmingham business news from the Birmingham Post. Latest news, comment, business sector news, updates on business awards and more. en-gb Birmingham Post no Check out UK and local Birmingham business news from the Birmingham Post. Latest news, comment, business sector news, updates on business awards and more. UK business, birmingham business, birmingham news, Birmingham Post, business sector news, business awards http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/international-automotive-consultancy-ricardo-expand-test-facilities-in-germany-65233-24079800/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/international-automotive-consultancy-ricardo-expand-test-facilities-in-germany-65233-24079800/ Ricardo, the international automotive consultancy with a major operation in the West Midlands, has expanded its test facilities in Germany to accommodate what it said was a “significant increase in demand”. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/fleet-manager-urged-to-drive-out-mobile-phone-abusers-65233-24079801/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/fleet-manager-urged-to-drive-out-mobile-phone-abusers-65233-24079801/ Company owners and fleet managers are being urged to change business practices and sack – or severely discipline - staff found guilty of breaching the laws on the use of mobile phones while driving. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/wto-warns-countries-act-unfairly-in-trade-restrictions-65233-24079802/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/wto-warns-countries-act-unfairly-in-trade-restrictions-65233-24079802/ Governments are unfairly blocking trade in response to the global downturn, squeezing automotive and steel exports and hurting wealthy economies most, the head of the World Trade Organisation has claimed. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/french-aiming-for-bigger-slice-of-supermini-market-65233-24079803/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/french-aiming-for-bigger-slice-of-supermini-market-65233-24079803/ A rash of new superminis will soon be hopping across the Channel from France. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/former-ldv-dealer-imperial-commercials-has-new-lease-of-life-65233-24079804/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/former-ldv-dealer-imperial-commercials-has-new-lease-of-life-65233-24079804/ A former LDV dealer hit by the collapse of the Birmingham vanmaker has reopened for business under the Ford brand name. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/rent-to-own-schemes-help-brighthouse-to-hefty-jump-in-profits-65233-24079870/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/rent-to-own-schemes-help-brighthouse-to-hefty-jump-in-profits-65233-24079870/ Credit-based community retailer BrightHouse has seen a hefty jump in profits as more people turn to rent-to-own schemes to buy household goods. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2009/07/06/ashford-construction-collapse-halts-rugby-power-worker-college-65233-24079871/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2009/07/06/ashford-construction-collapse-halts-rugby-power-worker-college-65233-24079871/ Building work on a £35 million college to train power workers in the Midlands has ground to a halt following the collapse of contractor Ashford Construction. Commercial Property http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/young-people-in-this-country-are-suffering-from-something-of-a-perception-problem-65233-24080031/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/young-people-in-this-country-are-suffering-from-something-of-a-perception-problem-65233-24080031/ According to recent research by childrens’ charity Barnardos, there is a widely held assumption that the blame for the majority of crime can be laid at the feet of the nation’s youth. The reality is that crimes committed by young people make up just 12 per cent of the total. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/post-business-desk/2009/07/06/golden-gordon-brown-is-rapidly-fading-65233-24080032/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/post-business-desk/2009/07/06/golden-gordon-brown-is-rapidly-fading-65233-24080032/ So where are those green shoots we keep hearing about? Spurious surveys by PR firms trot out the mantra on behalf of publicity-hungry clients, irrespective of a wealth of evidence to the contrary. City View http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2009/07/06/rural-area-of-west-midlands-can-lead-climb-from-downturn-65233-24080044/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2009/07/06/rural-area-of-west-midlands-can-lead-climb-from-downturn-65233-24080044/ Enterprise leaders have told a regeneration conference that the rural west has a major role to play in dragging the West Midlands from the economic downturn. Enterprise & SMEs http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2009/07/06/shropshire-enterprise-bid-includes-home-entrepreneur-display-65233-24080045/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2009/07/06/shropshire-enterprise-bid-includes-home-entrepreneur-display-65233-24080045/ Business people from Shropshire have put on a ‘home entrepreneur’ display as part of a bid to be named Britain’s most enterprising place. Enterprise & SMEs http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/uk-s-economic-recovery-still-very-fragile-65233-24080046/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/uk-s-economic-recovery-still-very-fragile-65233-24080046/ New figures show the fragile state of the UK’s economic recovery after recent progress in the services sector stalled during June. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/birmingham-hydraulics-hire-firm-goes-into-administration-65233-24080047/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/birmingham-hydraulics-hire-firm-goes-into-administration-65233-24080047/ Doubts have been cast over jobs at hydraulic equipment hire business EPL Access after the firm fell into administration. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/220-jobs-under-threat-as-food-supplier-considers-closure-of-fradley-park-depot-65233-24080117/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/06/220-jobs-under-threat-as-food-supplier-considers-closure-of-fradley-park-depot-65233-24080117/ Major doubts have been cast over 220 jobs at food supplier 3663 First for Foodservice’s depot near Lichfield after the company announced plans to close it. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/06/accountant-adele-to-represent-britain-at-world-triathlon-championships-65233-24080118/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/06/accountant-adele-to-represent-britain-at-world-triathlon-championships-65233-24080118/ A Birmingham accountant has proved that triathlons are not too taxing by qualifying for the world championships. Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/birmingham-s-supersonic-arts-festival-has-global-appeal-65233-24080120/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/birmingham-s-supersonic-arts-festival-has-global-appeal-65233-24080120/ Birmingham’s Supersonic festival is set to double the number of international visitors this year by taking inspiration from Barcelona’s Sonar Festival. Creative industries http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/freestyle-interactive-designs-website-for-rebecca-adlington-65233-24080121/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/freestyle-interactive-designs-website-for-rebecca-adlington-65233-24080121/ Double Olympic gold-medal winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington has launched a new website designed by Warwickshire-based digital agency Freestyle Interactive. Creative industries http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/waa-wins-birmingham-business-tourism-contract-65233-24080122/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/creative-industries-news/2009/07/06/waa-wins-birmingham-business-tourism-contract-65233-24080122/ Advertising agency WAA is celebrating a hat-trick of new business wins, including a project to boost Birmingham as a first-class meeting place. Creative industries http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/06/marketeers-struggling-to-get-message-right-for-over-50s-65233-24080123/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/06/marketeers-struggling-to-get-message-right-for-over-50s-65233-24080123/ A recent study by McCann Erickson Communications House (MECH) found that 67 per cent of over-50s say that advertising does not reflect their life nowadays and 62 per cent say they find a great deal of advertising patronising....so just where are marketers going wrong? Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-social/john-bright-business-columnist/2009/07/06/champions-kpmg-called-to-account-as-ernst-young-inflict-john-bright-trophy-defeat-65233-24080231/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-social/john-bright-business-columnist/2009/07/06/champions-kpmg-called-to-account-as-ernst-young-inflict-john-bright-trophy-defeat-65233-24080231/ Birmingham is going to have a new corporate cricket champion after the Battle of the Accountants. John Bright http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/phoenix-anger-as-fraud-claim-delays-mg-rover-report-65233-24080803/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/06/phoenix-anger-as-fraud-claim-delays-mg-rover-report-65233-24080803/ John Towers’ Phoenix Four have accused the Government of letting down more than 6,000 former Longbridge workers and deliberately stalling a long-awaited inquiry report until after a General Election. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/05/serious-fraud-office-to-probe-collapse-of-mg-rover-65233-24079874/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:54:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2009/07/05/serious-fraud-office-to-probe-collapse-of-mg-rover-65233-24079874/ The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is to investigate the collapse of MG Rover after a four-year probe into the Midlands carmaker's demise, it was reported today. Automotive Business http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/05/business-diary-key-events-for-the-week-ahead-65233-24078435/ Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:58:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/05/business-diary-key-events-for-the-week-ahead-65233-24078435/ A Treasury White Paper on key reforms to financial regulation will be the highlight of the week, while a host of housebuilders will give their latest snapshot of the market. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2009/07/03/birmingham-property-businessman-richard-graves-dies-65233-24070354/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:22:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2009/07/03/birmingham-property-businessman-richard-graves-dies-65233-24070354/ A Birmingham business legend whose company helped build the NEC has passed away after a long illness. Commercial Property http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/03/poundland-moves-in-on-more-empty-woolworths-stores-65233-24061190/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:01:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2009/07/03/poundland-moves-in-on-more-empty-woolworths-stores-65233-24061190/ Black Country retailer Poundland has targeted eight former Woolworths stores as part of recession-defying expansion plans. Other UK business news http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/cash-in-on-sharesave-scheme-65233-24061373/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/cash-in-on-sharesave-scheme-65233-24061373/ It’s a great way to save, and profitable too – especially if you work for a company performing well on the stock market. Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/investing-in-woodland-and-forestry-schemes-can-end-up-being-pulp-fiction-65233-24062523/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/investing-in-woodland-and-forestry-schemes-can-end-up-being-pulp-fiction-65233-24062523/ Don’t be drawn into “pulp fiction” when it comes to investing in woodland and forestry schemes, a Midland financial adviser has warned. Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/credit-cost-warning-to-rate-tarts-65233-24062524/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/credit-cost-warning-to-rate-tarts-65233-24062524/ Rate “tarts” who switch credit cards to dodge interest charges in the introductory period of a new deal will be scorched to the tune of £535 million in the next year, predicts price comparison service uSwitch.com Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/workers-spend-larger-chunk-of-year-paying-off-interest-on-nation-s-debt-65233-24062525/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/workers-spend-larger-chunk-of-year-paying-off-interest-on-nation-s-debt-65233-24062525/ With Britain’s public debt set to hit £1,000 billion next year, public spending will soon account for half the economy – and workers will spend a larger chunk of their year earning the money to meet the interest payments arising from this massive debt. Financial http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/mortgage-and-loans-grip-eases-bank-of-england-65233-24062646/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/financial-business-news/2009/07/03/mortgage-and-loans-grip-eases-bank-of-england-65233-24062646/ The credit crunch is losing some of its grip on mortgages and bank loans to businesses, but the squeeze on credit cards and other unsecured lending remains as tight as ever. Financial