Town Hall and Symphony Hall named among top 100 best places to work

BIRMINGHAM’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall has been named as one of the UK’s leading non-profit organisations to work for.

Performances Birmingham Ltd, the registered charity which manages Town Hall & Symphony Hall, has been named in the not-for-profit category of the Top 100 ‘Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For’.

Performances Birmingham was awarded Best Companies’ One Star Accreditation and is 68th in the overall list. The organisation is the only music and arts charity to feature in the final selection.

The commendation recognises the company’s commitment to its workforce and to making the day-to-day working life of its staff the best it can be.  

Andrew Jowett, Director of Performances Birmingham, said: “This is a great achievement for any company, and particularly welcome for us in Symphony Hall’s 21st anniversary year.  Our staff are our greatest asset and fundamental to our ability to deliver the world class performances and superbly professional service for which Town Hall & Symphony Hall are known.”   

Southside venues prepare for Best Bar None awards

BARS and clubs in Birmingham’s vibrant Southside district are preparing to go under the microscope as Birmingham City Council launches its city-wide hunt for the best licensed venues.

The Best Bar None Awards for 2012 are run in partnership with West Midlands Police and Fire Service. The awards, issued in 10 categories including Best Student Venue and Best Hotel Bar, will be judged on criteria including the promotion of responsible drinking and the prevention of alcohol-related crime.

Southside businesses have had a string of successes in the awards over recent years. Mono Bar in The Arcadian will host the scheme’s 2012 launch event as it prepares to defend its 2011 title as Birmingham’s Best Independent Venue, while neighbour Reflex will be hoping to repeat its victories in last year’s Best Nightclub and Best Overall Venue categories. In 2010, fellow Southside venues The Loft Lounge and the Radisson BLU Hotel also took home trophies.

Omer Butt, manager of Mono Bar, said: “We work closely with the authorities on a continuous basis through the Southside Leisure Watch scheme, and the progress this has helped us make in improving safety and security is, I believe, part of the reason for our award success. I’m delighted our hard work has been recognised.”

Jacqui Kennedy, Director of Birmingham City Council’s Regulatory Services, said: “The Best Bar None Awards exist expressly to assess the safety and security provision in our venues, and we are lucky that so many of our licensees treat their responsibilities with the utmost professionalism. That people can socialise in Birmingham with confidence has tremendous repercussions in terms of attracting tourists, businesses and students to the city, which can only be good for local firms.”

Beer Geek celebrates new range at launch party

A NEW micro-brewery, which is producing a real ale targeted at women, is staging its launch party in Birmingham.

Beer Geek Brewery, based in Aston, will be staging the event at the newly-refurbished Post Office Vaults in New Street between 3-7pm on Saturday.

A of local pubs have already agreed to stock its products, while Black Country Ales, which has 19 free houses, has also said it will take the brewery’s beer.

The brewery is the brainchild of doctor of engineering Paul Bennett and his wife Karen.

Its range includes Chic Geek, a floral pale ale aimed at women.