EBC Group (UK) becomes a Black Country Chamber patron

MANAGED offices services firm EBC Group (UK) has become a patron of Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

The company, which offer a range of services from managed print solutions and document management, to IT Services, cloud computing, disaster recovery and voice and unified communications, said it hopes to utilise the Chamber’s links with the local business community to develop further partnerships with fellow members.

Richard Lane, the firm’s managing director, said “I am delighted that EBC Group has become a Patron of the Black Country Chamber and will support the crucial role that it plays assisting local businesses and promoting the region’s economy.

“As one of the fastest growing IT and technology providers in the region, EBC Group already work with a range of businesses from the Black Country area.”

Coventry gigabit scheme gathers momentum

A NUMBER of partners have joined up to a scheme to transform Coventry into one of the fastest connected cities in the world.

Businesses throughout the city will soon be able to benefit from gigabit speed internet connectivity with the Coventry CORE signing up partners to deliver ultra-fast broadband.

Six local internet service providers have joined forces with CityFibre, the team behind the Coventry CORE pure fibre network, to give businesses access to next generation broadband speeds which are 100 times faster than the UK average.

They are ACUTEC, Connection City, HBT Communications, Netmetix, PS4B and Shiva Technology.

Each provider will deliver tailored communication packages over the Coventry CORE network with benefits including seamless online communication, VoIP technology, cloud omputing and remote data storage.

More than 200 businesses have already registered their interest in the scheme.

Brett Marshall, of Coventry CORE, said: “We are delighted to announce our first partners that will be able to deliver a wide range of internet and communication packages over the Coventry CORE network to meet the needs of businesses across the city.”

Solihull BID signs up firms to add colour to Christmas

SOLIHULL Business Improvement District (BID) has secured sponsorship deals with flight and holiday operator Thomson and Farrow & Ball interiors to transform Solihull’s Christmas lights and give the town’s Christmas market chalets a festive coat of paint.

Thomson Holidays is the headline sponsor of the new Solihull Christmas lights which will be revealed at the annual lights switch-on event on Saturday November 22.
 
Management of the Christmas lights was recently taken over by Solihull BID and the additional investment by Thomson will bring Solihull’s festive decorations up to date.
 
Meanwhile, the 60 chalets of the 2014 Solihull Christmas Market will get a festive makeover with more than 7,000 litres of Farrow & Ball paint and exclusive design wallpaper inside the Children’s grotto. 
 
 Melanie Palmer of Solihull BID, said: “We are determined to make sure Solihull is the ultimate Christmas destination in the Midlands by creating a winter wonderland feel for families.”

 
Biddle’s Simply Fresh scoops up multiple accolades at retail awards

BIDDLE’S Simply Fresh in Redditch has been crowned winner of the Independent Retailer of the Year award and highly commended in the Chilled Retailer of the Year (Independent) category, at the 2014 Retail Industry Awards.

The black tie awards ceremony was held at London’s five star Grosvenor House Hotel with comedian, Andy Parsons, among the main presenters.

Retailer Simon Biddle, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with our winnings. I’d like to thank all of our consistently hard working staff and also our customers for their support and loyalty to Biddle’s throughout the years.

“We could not have done this without the support of our staff and our community.”