Business News

Top chefs and restauranteurs owners from across the region have joined forces with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce to voice concerns over the imminent reversal of VAT rate reductions.

In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the Chamber and well-known hospitality industry figures such as Simpsons owner Andreas Antona and TV chef Glynn Purnell are calling for an extension to the rates reduction in a bid to drive consumer demand.

With the return to real life dating, singles across the UK are heading back to their go-to spots for first dates.

However, today, more than half (57%) of Black British people in the UK have experienced racism or racial bias on a date.

Coversure Dudley is launching a public awareness campaign to warn property owners of the risks of underinsurance. A recent report from Rebuild Cost Assessment found that 82% of UK properties are underinsured, a problem that could leave landlords and homeowners facing bills for tens-of-thousands of pounds in the event of claim.

The Renters Reform Bill consultation response, which is expected to be published this autumn, is rumoured to cover tenancy rights, deposits, standards of accommodation and social housing. 

The changes that are set to strengthen protection for tenants include banning ‘no fault’ evictions, the introduction of lifetime tenancy deposits, crackdowns on criminal landlords and implementing the charter for social housing residents.

City of Wolverhampton has kicked off its annual Business Week by announcing the launch of one of the largest city centre residential development opportunities in the Midlands.​

The Council through its delivery partnership with Canal & River Trust has assembled the site, which is being marketed as Canalside South for the development of a residential community that will see hundreds of new homes along one of the most historic stretches of canal in the country.

Analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC shows how the West Midlands’ economic recovery can be sped up by reversing cuts to key workers’ pay.

The analysis by the TUC and Landman Economics models the economic impacts of reversing cuts to the value of public sector pay that took place over the period 2010/11 to 2020/21.

Downtown in Business (DIB) recently celebrates the sixth anniversary of its launch in Birmingham. In September 2015, Downtown in Business launched its Birmingham office at an exclusive party at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Birmingham.

Commenting on the sixth anniversary, CEO Frank McKenna said; “I am delighted that DIB has been in Birmingham for six years now.

Redditch-based and family-owned luxury bath and body brand, Baylis & Harding, has bolstered its extensive charitable credentials by supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity during the pre-hospital emergency service’s 30th anniversary year. 

Renowned for luxury hand wash, bathing products and gift sets, Baylis & Harding is contributing to the lifesaving service in a number of ways throughout the partnership.

Water company Severn Trent is set to produce an extra 95 million litres of water – using innovative low carbon methods – to help tackle the growing threat of water scarcity.

Traditional methods of treating water can be carbon heavy, taking 400 tonnes to produce one megalitre of water.

International homeware brand Bedsure has revealed the huge success of its product testing program - with customers invited to try out a range of best-selling blankets, duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases and rate them. 

The program, which launched in March 2021, has seen more than 200 people from across two continents sign up to sample Bedsure’s Amazon items. 

The UK Government is set to pay out tens of millions of pounds to restart production of carbon dioxide at a key plant in the UK amid fears over food supplies and the nuclear industry.

They will meet the full operating costs to run CF Industries' Teesside plant for three weeks.

West Midlands-based business, Your Co-op Travel, is celebrating multiple award-wins, following the prestigious Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards, which took place in London on 16 September 2021.

Part of The Midcounties Co-operative, Your Co-op Travel has its regional head office in Walsall and 76 branches across England’s mid counties, including 19 in the West Midlands.

Travel Forward has confirmed a series of exhibitors for the annual event. The physical show is taking place at ExCeL London from November 1-3, and will be followed by TF Virtual, taking place on November 8-9.

Established globally active brands have been supporting Travel Forward since its launch in 2018. Many have already rebooked for 2021.

After 18 months of downtime the events industry has finally burst back to life as companies across all sectors are witnessing an explosion of exhibition activity.

Dramatically increased exhibitor participation brings about the huge demand for specialist logistics operators capable of transporting products and equipment to venues around the world in time for the exhibition start dates and strict customer deadlines.

Applications are now open for businesses to enter the second annual West Midlands Tourism Awards, which will celebrate the strength and resilience of the region’s visitor economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism and hospitality venues across the West Midlands are encouraged to apply to compete for honours in 14 categories, including Large Visitor Attraction of the Year; Experience of the Year; and the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award.

Wonderful wildflowers and carbon-busting nature plans work hand in hand on a new pilot project, as volunteers work with the City of Wolverhampton Council to lay seeds at Wednesfield Park.

The project – helping to raise awareness of habitat loss for species due to climate change – was launched on September 14 with volunteers from Wednesfield spreading wildflower seed mix to develop a new 800 square metre meadow, as part of the city’s carbon reduction plans.