Official Birmingham Development Thread 38!

[Spread]

Good news from Business Desk:

Birmingham bucks inward investment trend with 37% growth

WHILE the UK as a whole has seen a decline in inward investment, Birmingham has seen a marked increase.

Research from UK Trade & Investment has identified a 2% decline in the number of foreign direct investment projects into the country for 2011/12.

But Birmingham has bucked the trend by recording a 37% increase in projects during that period, according to analysis by the Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory.

Wouter Schuitemaker, investment director for inward investment programme Business Birmingham, said: “For Birmingham to grow its levels of overseas investment in an increasingly competitive market is a considerable achievement, demonstrating that it has developed a strong offer for potential investors.

“The city is taking a national lead in creating specialist economic zones that will support investors in our key target sectors - and can also offer financial incentives, relaxed planning and better connectivity through one of the UK’s only city centre enterprise zones.

“We are now working with more than 100 partners across the city to deliver incentive packages that can include market intelligence, bespoke advice or access to local business networks, complementing the physical benefits provided by Birmingham’s infrastructure and transport networks.

“Investors that we have supported - such as construction group Skanska, architect Gensler and manufacturer NVC Lighting - have all contributed to the 2,750 new jobs that Business Birmingham has helped to create since April last year.”

Meanwhile, a new study by analysts PA Consulting for the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Marketing Birmingham has backed a strategy of prioritising certain sectors.

The results of the support the strategy currently being followed of establishing a number of ‘economic zones’ to provide specific, niche sectors with comprehensive support.

The research identified seven areas that could deliver the greatest employment opportunities from inward investment. They are: automotive, financial services, business and professional services, food and drink, computer services and software, digital media and life sciences.

Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Greater Birmingham area is internationally renowned as the home of cutting edge manufacturing and automotive industries. This reputation had brought investment and jobs to the area and we must continue to provide a supportive environment for these industries to grow and succeed.

“What this research has also shown, however, is that we have strengths and the opportunity - through the growth of sectors such as life sciences, the digital media and food and drink manufacturing - to grow our business community profile, stimulate private sector growth and create jobs.

“Working with Business Birmingham, we have assessed how the sectors we need to target are serviced and accommodated in the city.

“By looking at what they need to choose Birmingham over other locations, we have developed a strategy that will see seven business clusters developed across the area - linking our economic priorities with our spatial planning, and providing businesses in these sectors with the locations, facilities and services they need.”

[morestoreysplease]

Fantastic news! See also how the LEP name has started a shift towards a more collective phrase?

[NeilM]

Originally Posted by morestoreysplease

Fantastic news! See also how the LEP name has started a shift towards a more collective phrase?

It doesn't include the Black Country though, they have/will have there own LEP, although the GBSLEP does include places like Bromsgrove, Tamworth and Lichfield I think?

[sefton66]

With all the focus on office letting, I'd like to know how well our industrial/warehouse lettings are going, seems units are filling up quite quickly and there has been a fair few big lettings in the market.

I know there was a shortage of units last year similar to the Grade A office space. I think we need a focus on industrial/warehouse units


Anyway another unit let, Looks like it will be the Wilmott Dixon UK training centre

Application Details
Application Number 2012/05096/PA
Application Type Full Planning
Site Address Unit 7, Junction 6 Industrial Park 66 Electric Avenue Aston Birmingham B6 7JJ
Proposal Change of use from B1, B2 & B8 to employment use (B1, B2 & B8) and training centre (D1).

[Shel]

Originally Posted by morestoreysplease

Fantastic news! See also how the LEP name has started a shift towards a more collective phrase?

Hallelujah!!!

[Qoasis777]

Originally Posted by Shel

Hallelujah!!!

This ^

[sefton66]

Anyone know where to get the full listing? Can't seem to find it, excellent news though, NIA refurb and the barclaycard tie up should help improve further

LG ARENA, BIRMINGHAM RANKED AMONGST THE TOP TEN VENUES IN THE WORLD
Thursday, July 26, 2012

The NEC Group’s LG Arena has been ranked seventh in the list of top 100 arenas worldwide in Pollstar Magazine's 2012 mid-year rankings.

The list, compiled by the well-respected concert and venue industry publication, reflects tickets sold for music events from 1 January – 30 June, 2012.

Selling a total of 254,666 tickets this year so far, the LG Arena has moved up the chart to seventh place from tenth place in last year’s year-end ranking, reporting ticket sales from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011.

The National Indoor Arena (NIA), also part of the NEC Group and sister brand of the LG Arena, came 50th in the listing, moving up 24 places from last year’s scoring.

Combined, the attendance figure for both venues equals 381,058 – accumulatively placing the NEC Group’s Birmingham venues third in the listing.

Commenting on the results, General Manager for the LG Arena and NIA Guy Dunstan said:

“We are extremely proud of the fact that the LG Arena has retained its place as one of the top ten venues in the world for the second year running. We have had fantastic feedback from promoters, artists and customers and were nominated International Venue of the Year at last year’s Pollstar awards. I believe the £29 million refurbishment of the LG Arena in 2009 has really cementing its position as one of the leading venues in the world.

Guy went on to add: “We are also delighted that the NIA has moved up 24 places from being ranked 74th last year, to 50th in this year’s report. We have already had some massive names playing at the NIA this year, including One Direction, Nicki Minaj and Madonna, who came to the Midlands for the first time ever as part of her MDNA tour this summer.

“The improvement in the NIA’s ranking is particularly significant as music events only make up 30 per cent of the NIAs content. The NIA has hosted over 30 different sports in its 20 year history and more world championships than any other arena in Europe.

“The increase in music events at the venue is mainly down to its city centre location and the flexibility of the arena, which allows our teams to easily adapt to the requirements of any show. In the same week we have had Noel Gallagher playing to an audience of 13,500 fans one day, and the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships a few days later. The diversity in the programme of events hosted at the NIA is a real USP of the venue.

“With the £20.5 million refurbishment of the NIA set to start work in January 2013 and our recent partnership with Barclaycard, it is an exciting time for the region and music events at the NIA.”

http://www.necgroup.co.uk/news-and-m...the-world-(1)/

[Bureau des etrangers]

Long time no see gentlemen!!

sorry i haven't been around for quite a while, been rather busy....this forum has certainly changed since i was last on it....seems much quieter, with petty arguments going on here and there! Jees i only leave you lot alone for 5 minutes!!

[Qoasis777]

Originally Posted by Bureau des etrangers

Long time no see gentlemen!!

sorry i haven't been around for quite a while, been rather busy....this forum has certainly changed since i was last on it....seems much quieter, with petty arguments going on here and there! Jees i only leave you lot alone for 5 minutes!!

Welcome back

[morestoreysplease]

Bonsoir BdE!! Could do with some walkabout snaps from you!

[sefton66]

As I have previously pointed out on here, Office take up may be slow but were heading for a real shortage on industrial warehouse units, Think we should focus on getting some business/industrial parks built

Space shortage in West Mids after shedloads of lettings
27 July 2012 | By Patrick Gower

Occupiers in talks on nearly 1m sq ft in region as lack of spec development drives occupiers into vacant units

http://www.propertyweek.com/news/new...040340.article



And another 70,000 sq ft unit gone..

70,000 sq ft Hams Hall warehouse sold

Last updated: 30th Jul 2012 at 08:14am

A Coleshill warehouse has been sold to international freight forwarder Davies Turner for more than £5m.

Property advisers BNP Paribas Real Estate and North Rae Sanders have sold Unit B in Edison Road in Hams Hall on behalf of a pension fund client.

The 72,556 sq ft warehouse was the only cross-docked unit available in the Midlands, and was sold within six months of the site becoming vacant, BNP Paribas said.

"Due to the lack of similar product on the market we received good competition and we were able to complete this sale at a price representing the quality of the site and building, in a relatively short period of time," added Peter Monks, BNP Paribas Real Estate associate director.

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/...old/index.html

[sefton66]

maybe the answer to the above then

Major regeneration project for Aston
Last updated Sun 29 Jul 2012

A major regeneration project which will see the creation of 3,000 jobs and the redevelopment of 20 hectares of land in Aston, is to be put before Birmingham City Council’s cabinet tomorrow.

The Regional Investment Site is the key proposal within the Aston, Newtown and Lozells Area Action Plan which was adopted by the council earlier this month.

The Regional Investment Site has been designated as the city’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub and is expected to attract companies in the growing automotive sector building on the recent investments announced by Jaguar Land Rover and BMW.

"this important regeneration project will see the area undergo a huge transformation, with the creation of new jobs, particularly in growth sectors such as automotive and aerospace engineering, providing better choice and quality of employment.

"We will support existing businesses and industry and improve access to employment and training for local residents so that they can benefit from these new opportunities.”

– COUNCILLOR TAHIR ALI – CABINET MEMBER FOR DEVELOPMENT, JOBS AND SKILLS

http://www.itv.com/news/central/upda...ect-for-aston/

[woodhousen]

haha they may not be the sexiest form of development but large sheds and manufacting/distributionn developments are key to the midlands economy... and the shortage is space available is very frustrating...

thanks for the news

[morestoreysplease]

Wouldn't Wholesale Markets come under a similar kind of arrangement? A huge warehouse in Aston?

[Nacho]

I was thinking the same thing MSP.

[DBadger]

All this makes me wonder why Citygate Park is still empty. It's been there what, 10 years or something? http://www.citygatepark.com/ I'm surprised it hasn't been knocked down and engulfed by Goodrich.

Wholesale markets sounds good. Or that large plot in Aston.

[giocoliere]

demolition of former Bournville College to resume tomorrow: https://www.bvt.org.uk/news-and-even...te-demolition/

[ReissOmari]

Does anyone know the official reason this building has been scaffolded for so long? https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en...1.23,,1,-11.98

[U475 Foxtrot]

Could the Builder have gone bust? Just speculating.

[sefton66]

it's Ben in scaffolding for years, maybe the cladding is falling off?