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 http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-social/john-bright-business-columnist/2008/07/25/john-james-and-the-naked-lunch-65233-21407938/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:05:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-social/john-bright-business-columnist/2008/07/25/john-james-and-the-naked-lunch-65233-21407938/ In comes a call from the South of France. It’s from John James who informs me he is out there with his wife and sunbathing in the nude. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/25/alan-neal-s-major-role-in-the-mfg-success-story-65233-21407184/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:48:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/25/alan-neal-s-major-role-in-the-mfg-success-story-65233-21407184/ Andy Newman meets lawyer Alan Neal – a towering figure in more ways than one. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/25/a-dose-of-recession-might-be-what-we-all-need-65233-21406836/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:22:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/25/a-dose-of-recession-might-be-what-we-all-need-65233-21406836/ We have been spoiled by high disposable income over the last ten years or so and have got used to this lifestyle but it does no harm to occasionally have to pull in one’s horns. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/25/community-focus-the-key-to-longbridge-revival-65233-21406374/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:34:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/25/community-focus-the-key-to-longbridge-revival-65233-21406374/ John Mellor reports on schemes that it is hoped will breathe new life into Longbridge. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/25/sales-rise-at-john-lewis-65233-21406046/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:29:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/25/sales-rise-at-john-lewis-65233-21406046/ Department store chain John Lewis today said demand for fashion ranges helped it exceed last year's weekly sales haul. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/isps-to-help-music-industry-fight-illegal-downloads-65233-21396604/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/isps-to-help-music-industry-fight-illegal-downloads-65233-21396604/ Internet service providers (ISPs) and the music industry have reached an agreement to clamp down on illegal downloads. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/birmingham-chamber-lines-up-for-panto-horse-race-65233-21403017/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:55:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/birmingham-chamber-lines-up-for-panto-horse-race-65233-21403017/ And they’re off – in the panto horse races of the year to raise funds to buy a Variety Club sunshine coach. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/facebook-victim-awarded-22-000-in-damages-65233-21396570/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:53:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/facebook-victim-awarded-22-000-in-damages-65233-21396570/ A businessman whose personal details were "laid bare" in fake libellous entries on Facebook has been awarded £22,000 damages against a former friend who created the profile. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/floors-2-go-yet-to-attract-interest-65233-21403016/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:52:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/floors-2-go-yet-to-attract-interest-65233-21403016/ The search was continuing last night for a buyer for Floors-2-Go, the flooring materials retailer that went into administration this week. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/post-business-desk/2008/07/24/return-of-jaguar-s-glory-days-will-have-mercs-and-bmws-on-their-toes-65233-21403012/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:45:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/post-business-desk/2008/07/24/return-of-jaguar-s-glory-days-will-have-mercs-and-bmws-on-their-toes-65233-21403012/ In nearly 20 years of covering the car industry I’d never heard a chief executive talk about being “entrepreneurial” and “nimble”. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/24/manufacturing-output-still-up-on-last-year-despite-decline-65233-21403010/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:32:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/24/manufacturing-output-still-up-on-last-year-despite-decline-65233-21403010/ Output from the UK’s car plants is still running ahead of last year despite falling for the second month running in June, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/birmingham-s-sch-acquires-isi-as-part-of-expansion-65233-21403005/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:28:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/birmingham-s-sch-acquires-isi-as-part-of-expansion-65233-21403005/ SCH Distribution – part of privately owned Birmingham IT giant SCH – yesterday confirmed its £2 million acquisition of ISI from the Fayrewood group. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2008/07/24/work-begins-on-quarter-s-greenest-new-gem-65233-21402957/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:44:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/commercial-property-birmingham/2008/07/24/work-begins-on-quarter-s-greenest-new-gem-65233-21402957/ Work has started on what is claimed will be Birmingham’s ‘greenest’ mixed-use development in the heart of the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/it-pays-to-live-in-east-midlands-not-the-west-65233-21402897/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:15:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/it-pays-to-live-in-east-midlands-not-the-west-65233-21402897/ Workers in the West Midlands are an average £3,000 a year worse off than their counterparts in the east of the region, according to a survey. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/microsoft-backs-black-country-apprentice-drive-65233-21402895/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:11:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/e-business/2008/07/24/microsoft-backs-black-country-apprentice-drive-65233-21402895/ A Black Country drive to boost the numbers of young people taking up apprenticeships has won support from technology giant Microsoft. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/else-solicitors-backing-women-s-careers-65233-21399875/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:02:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/else-solicitors-backing-women-s-careers-65233-21399875/ A strategy of nurturing the careers of talented women by promoting them into key positions is shaping the culture of a Midland law firm. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/red-tape-denying-widows-their-inheritance-tax-65233-21399833/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:59:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/red-tape-denying-widows-their-inheritance-tax-65233-21399833/ Widows and widowers are struggling to claim inheritance tax rights because of HM Revenue and Customs red tape, accountants Horwath Clark Whitehill have warned. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/council-house-sales-could-lead-to-homelessness-65233-21399333/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:54:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/council-house-sales-could-lead-to-homelessness-65233-21399333/ A Government scheme to bring social housing up to reasonable standards could leave people homeless, it has been claimed. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/redundancies-are-no-easy-option-for-a-business-65233-21399324/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:51:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/redundancies-are-no-easy-option-for-a-business-65233-21399324/ Companies turning to redundancies to help through the economic downturn may find it is not an easy solution, according to employment adviser Croner. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/oranjuik-joins-harvey-ingram-s-team-in-birmingham-65233-21399316/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:48:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/oranjuik-joins-harvey-ingram-s-team-in-birmingham-65233-21399316/ Harvey Ingram’s litigation work in the West Midlands has been given a boost with the arrival of specialist commercial litigator Andrew Oranjuik, who has joined from Clarkes Solicitors in Telford. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/easyjet-profits-warning-as-fuel-prices-bite-65233-21397630/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/easyjet-profits-warning-as-fuel-prices-bite-65233-21397630/ Airline EasyJet showed the strain of rising costs after warning that annual profits could be as much as 42% lower than last year. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/jjb-stores-show-signs-of-recovery-while-health-clubs-grow-65233-21396588/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:56:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/jjb-stores-show-signs-of-recovery-while-health-clubs-grow-65233-21396588/ Sportswear retailer JJB Sports has said its estate of health and fitness clubs continued to grow revenues despite the current economic turmoil. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2008/07/24/bournville-students-land-birmingham-airport-award-65233-21397109/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:22:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/business-entrepreneurship/2008/07/24/bournville-students-land-birmingham-airport-award-65233-21397109/ Year 10 students at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Technology College have won this year's ‘Birmingham International Airport Communication Award’. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/nevill-boyd-maunsell/2008/07/24/inflationary-wage-rises-still-waiting-to-happen-65233-21395708/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:17:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/business-comment/nevill-boyd-maunsell/2008/07/24/inflationary-wage-rises-still-waiting-to-happen-65233-21395708/ This week it is the turn of the Passport Office to face the public sector unions’ campaign to test the Government’s determination to stick by pay deals that no longer match inflation. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/b-q-owners-see-sales-stabilise-65233-21396624/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:04:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2008/07/24/b-q-owners-see-sales-stabilise-65233-21396624/ A better-than-expected sales performance at DIY chain B&Q caused shares in retail business Kingfisher to jump by more than 10%. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/rebecca-crowley-boosts-tax-consultancy-team-at-btg-65233-21400163/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:34:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/rebecca-crowley-boosts-tax-consultancy-team-at-btg-65233-21400163/ BTG Tax, the former Shaws practice acquired by the Begbies Traynor Group this year, has appointed Rebecca Crowley as a tax consultant. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/mercedes-is-new-partner-at-mfg-solicitors-65233-21400171/ Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:38:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/legal-business-financial/2008/07/24/mercedes-is-new-partner-at-mfg-solicitors-65233-21400171/ A specialist in matrimonial finance has joined MFG Solicitors as partner in its family division. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/23/jaguar-land-rover-boss-targets-india-as-key-market-65233-21393744/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:59:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/23/jaguar-land-rover-boss-targets-india-as-key-market-65233-21393744/ Jaguar Land Rover is setting its sights on expanding into India following its acquisition by Tata Motors in June. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/manufacturing-business/2008/07/23/uk-manufacturing-beating-the-downturn-65233-21393316/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:52:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/manufacturing-business/2008/07/23/uk-manufacturing-beating-the-downturn-65233-21393316/ Large parts of UK manufacturing are not only defying the economic slowdown, but outperforming the rest of the economy and growing at breakneck speed according to a new report. http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/23/lord-stokes-dies-aged-94-65233-21393592/ Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:11:00 GMT http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/automotive-business/2008/07/23/lord-stokes-dies-aged-94-65233-21393592/ Industrialist Lord Stokes, the former chairman of British Leyland in the 1970s, has died aged 94.