Business Desk West Midlands Headlines

Positive signs for construction sector

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:50:11 +0100

ACTIVITY levels in the West Midlands construction sector edged upwards in the first three months of the year, according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey.Some 4% more chartered surveyors a...

CPBigwood calls for regulation of managing agents

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:57:02 +0100

MIDLANDS property agency CPBigwood has welcomed a new call for greater regulation of the leasehold sector.The push follows a House of Lords debate on the subject and comes despite the Government&rsquo...

Two Snowhill reaches topping out stage

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:57:50 +0100

A TOPPING out ceremony has been held 230ft above the Birmingham skyline to mark a major milestone in the construction of office development Two Snowhill.The rooftop ceremony marked the building reachi...

Quinton Business Park puts up the full sign

Mon, 14 May 2012 12:20:15 +0100

DEVELOPER St Modwen has fully let all available space at its 18 acre Quinton Business Park in Birmingham after securing a lease on 9,600 sq ft with American-owned global software specialist QAD.QAD ha...

Ice contract win for Morgan Sindall

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:07:18 +0100

TELFORD & Wrekin Council has appointed Morgan Sindall as the principal contractor for the extensive refurbishment of the town centre ice rink.The firm will carry out major internal and external improv...

Investment interest still there, says Coventry agent

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:41:34 +0100

A COVENTRY property agent argues there are still outstanding opportunities available for those investors able to take calculated risks.Jonathan Moore, Shortland Penn + Moore’s director of invest...

Telford developer creates 30 jobs after bank funds new scheme

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:02:08 +0100

A PROPERTY developer in Telford has created 30 new jobs after securing new funding to help complete the construction of an apartment block.Established in 2005, Hama Investments Ltd specialises in prop...

Star in the making at Blythe Valley Park

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:00:19 +0100

A FAST-growing firm providing cloud computing and communication services to UK businesses has expanded into the Midlands at Blythe Valley Business Park. Star has opened its sixth UK base at Cornwall H...

Medical supplies firm buys 32,000 sq ft unit at Hortonwood

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:04:54 +0100

SP SERVICES (UK) has acquired a 32,000 square foot unit at Hortonwood Industrial Estate in Telford for £2m.The deal, supported by Barclays, will create ten additional jobs and accommodate increased st...

Trade operators still biting says Mucklow

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:29:03 +0100

BLACK Country property developer and investor A & J Mucklow Group says the Midlands industrial occupier market is showing some encouraging signs of improvement.In its interim management statement cove...

Cornwall nice this time of year for Shaylor

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:23:58 +0100

ALDRIDGE-based contracting group Shaylor has won a place on the new framework with Cornwall Council, adding to its growing workload in the South West.The addition of the four year contract will help g...

Hill & Smith trading ahead of expectations

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:08:14 +0100

CONSTRUCTION products supplier Hill & Smith has said its performance during the first five months of the year has beaten expectations, with the momentum of the stronger trading seen in the second half...

Auto firms facing difficulties maximising JLR opportunities

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:58:13 +0100

AUTOMOTIVE component firms in the West Midlands face a difficult task in maximising opportunities presented by the £1bn extension of orders from Jaguar Land Rover.Many firms need investment if they ar...

Tough environment for Toye & Co but Queen’s Jubilee contract gives firm a boost

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:55:09 +0100

BIRMINGHAM’S oldest manufacturer Toye & Co has blamed difficult trading conditions, fierce competition and the winding down of a significant contract for a dip in turnover. The Jewellery Quarter...

Trading conditions encouraging, says Arden Partners

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:32:40 +0100

STOCKBROKER Arden Partners has reported that trading in the six month period to the end of April has been better than expected.The firm, which has a major operation in Birmingham, says both revenues a...

Plans for £20m facelift to NIA to go on public display

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:38:58 +0100

THE public are being the chance to view plans for the £20m facelift to Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.A public exhibition on the scheme takes place on Friday and Saturday at the ICC prior to...

DLA Piper strengthens Birmingham office with new promotions

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:49:57 +0100

LAW firm DLA Piper has strengthened its Birmingham office with a series of promotions. The move has seen Tim Lake and Ben Gorner step up to become partners.Other changes at the office in Victoria Squa...

Food business trebles in size after new funding

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:50:23 +0100

A MIDLANDS bistro and convenience store business has tripled in size after securing new financing.VSN Stanwick Ltd has been operating the Stanwick village convenience store and post office since 2006....

Recruiter looks to £1m turnover growth as SMEs strive for success

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:49:47 +0100

BIRMINGHAM-based recruitment firm Odgers Interim is targeting a £1m increase in UK revenues as SMEs look to short term appointments to solve specific growth and staffing problems.The firm’s SME ...

Engineering firm targets £1m sales hike after surge in interest

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:29:19 +0100

A BIRMINGHAM engineering firm is targeting a £1m hike in sales after securing new business leads following a major trade exhibition.Bruderer UK invested more than £50,000 to participate in the MACH 20...