Category Archives: Business

Business, News

Sutton first to host new digital hubs

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Rebecca Hambleton, Street Manager at BT and Raj Mack, Head of Digital Innovation and Partnerships at Birmingham City Council
One of the new Street Hub units in Sutton Coldfield

BT Street Hubs offer free ads for local business and environmental monitoring

Sutton Coldfield has pioneered the introduction of new street digital advertising units, with a town business reaping the benefit of free advertising.

Birmingham is latest UK city to benefit from BT’s new digital street units, with the first three units unveiled in Sutton , and more to follow across the city over the next few months. 

As part of the launch, local businesses in Birmingham are being given the chance to advertise for free on the new Street Hub units.

The first to benefit in the town is Andy Thompson, owner of Live @ Level One, a 200-plus capacity live music venue in Sutton Coldfield, who is enjoying free advertising on the new units,

BT is donating up to £7.5 million of outdoor advertising space to small businesses across the UK, as it continues its nationwide roll out of the new Street Hub 2.0 units – which help build the UK’s digital infrastructure and include services such as ultrafast Wi-Fi, an emergency call button and rapid mobile device charging.

The launch comes as a recent BT study found that more than 60 per cent of small businesses agree that local advertising would help to increase awareness of their business, with 40 per cent saying it would encourage more people to shop at their local high street.

However, almost half (49 per cent) said that cost was a major obstacle to them investing in local Out Of Home (OOH) advertising. BT is now taking action to remove one of the biggest barriers to adoption, with the Street Hub’s digital advertising screens designed to help small firms attract more customers to high streets.

The new digital units can also help local councils achieve their social and economic improvement and sustainability goals. With Birmingham City Council aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030, each Street Hub 2.0 unit is to be fitted with air quality and CO2 sensors.

Birmingham participated in the first trials of air quality data monitoring with BT in 2019, with data collected from modular sensors installed on first generation Street Hubs units. The sensors provided insight to a group of researchers and scientists, led by the University of Birmingham, to help monitor air pollution in the area. 

With the next generation Street Hubs, Birmingham City Council can benefit from real-time, actionable data on Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Particulate Matter (PM1, 2.5 and 10). 

Expanding air quality monitoring across the city will provide Birmingham City Council with the insight needed to take action to improve air quality, contributing to the health and wellbeing of local people.

Street Hubs can also help to enhance digital connectivity and services for communities through features such as ultrafast Wi-Fi, access to  charity helplines, and local wayfinding via an integrated tablet. 

Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, Brigid Jones, said: “The last couple of years has seen a devastating impact on many of our local businesses, charities and community organisations.

“I hope our communities and voluntary sector organisations use this opportunity to raise awareness of the fantastic work they are doing to support our communities and local centres. 

Andy Thompson, Owner of Live @ Level One with his new advertisement

“We welcome this digital investment by BT, enhancing Birmingham’s growing reputation as a welcoming place for digital innovation and investment.”

Rebecca Hambleton, Street Manager at BT, said: “We hope that, by gifting free digital advertising space via our new Street Hub units, we can give small businesses in Birmingham an extra boost.

“Our new Street Hub units can play a vital role in rejuvenating local high streets – whether that’s through building greater awareness of small businesses through free advertising, boosting local digital infrastructure or helping cities to reach their sustainability goals.

“It’s great to see the new units will shortly be providing valuable ‘real time’ data on air quality for the local council, helping to keep Birmingham a clean city to live and visit.”

Andy Thompson said: “I’m already a relentless marketer, promoter, and advertiser but I’m limited to the avenues that we can afford as a small business.

“Local advertising opportunities, like those provided by BT’s new Street Hub 2.0 units, offer more exposure, and give new local businesses like mine a greater chance of survival and success.”

BT’s latest study also revealed that around two thirds (66 per cent) of local businesses think that mobile connectivity could be improved in their local community, to help them work faster and smarter. BT’s new Street Hub 2.0 units will enhance local digital infrastructure by including the option to install mini mobile masts or ‘small cells’ on the structure to further boost 4G and 5G coverage in the local area. 

Subject to local planning processes, BT is aiming to roll out around 300 of its new Street Hub 2.0 units across the UK in the next 12 months, working closely with local councils and communities.

Business, Food and Drink, Lifestyle, News

Cheers as Four Oaks opens after facelift

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The Four Oaks in Sutton Coldfield has reopened after a huge facelift

Upmarket features and outdoor dining featured in multi-million pound refit

A second pub in Sutton Coldfield has opened after undergoing a multi-million pound facelift, offering an upmarket feel and an extra bonus for electric car drivers.

Following the reopening of the former Blake Barn, the Four Oaks pub in is now open, with a remodelled and striking interior, beautiful outdoor spaces and an exceptional food offering that celebrates the very best of British produce.

Not only that, the pub also offers much-needed multiple electric car charging points on the car park for the convencience of the local community.

Sitting in a prime location next to Sutton Park and the historic four oak trees giving rise to its name, The Four Oaks pub has been radically transformed, both inside and out, to showcase an outstanding venue that provides the perfect setting for all social occasions all year round. The extensive restoration has also created 54 new jobs locally.

From its beautifully elevated main entrance to its stunning interiors, The Four Oaks pub has been extensively re-designed and every detail carefully re-imagined to create a hand-crafted feel to inspire and welcome its guests.

Internal features include a new walnut bar, blackened steel bar fonts and limestone flooring, offset with elegant velvet upholstery in earthy tones, and real oak. The impressive crittall wine room, raised private dining room and Scandi inspired spaces, with warming fires throughout, beautifully blend tradition with innovation to offer a relaxed and cosy environment.

Guests looking for an al-fresco spot to socialise with family and friends can choose to enjoy the terraced patio at the side of the pub or scandi-style garden at the rear of the pub, featuring fire pits and a fully-stocked outdoor bar.

Liam Smith, general manager at The Four Oaks, said: “We have created a beautiful and inviting space to welcome guests at any time of day – whether they’re joining us for brunch or for Sunday lunch after a family or dog walk in Sutton Park, or for an evening with friends. 

“With increased dining capacity for 180 guests inside and 100 outside, the food and drink offering at The Four Oaks showcases the best of British farms and vineyards and the new menu focused on outstanding food, from exceptional Sunday roasts to small plates and stix, perfect for shared grazing. There is an extensive selection of drinks, including special craft ales and lagers, classic and crafted cocktails, plus an array of non-alcoholic drinks. 

“We can’t wait to share our impressive new space with our surrounding community and look forward to welcoming our guests – both old and new – to The Four Oaks.”

For more information, please visit www.thefouroaks-royalsuttoncoldfield.co.uk.

Business, Lifestyle

Deserted Parade paints a grim picture

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This is the slightly eerie picture of The Parade in Sutton Coldfield at 7.30pm on December 16, virtually devoid of revellers just a week before Christmas.

There’s little sign of the festive season and the Christmas lights and decorations looking slightly out of place in the deserted street.

The place would normally be packed with works Christmas party-goers, but it would appear people have voted with their feet to avoid the Omicron virus.

While many of the pubs and restaurants had people on their premises, they were far from full and most had emptied by around 9pm.

Maybe people are saving cash or waiting to get further news of the virus and its spread, but its clear that yet again hospitality is suffering more than any other sector and prosperous Sutton Coldfield is no exception.

Business

Best in the business

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Jo Edwards and Paul Edwards at the Sutton firm’s office
Some of the successful JE Consulting team

Sutton Coldfield firm wins recognition for supporting clients during lockdown

A leading consultancy firm involved with delivering more than 3.6 communications to businesses across the UK during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has scooped a prestigious award.

Judges at this year’s Just.Marketing Awards have announced Sutton Coldfield marketing agency, JE Consulting, as a winner of Best Performance During COVID-19 category for its support of accountancy and legal firms during the pandemic.

The firm helped deliver this staggering number of communications to the clients of some of the UK’s top professional service firms during the last year.

The hard work and commitment not only helped them to retain clients during the most difficult of circumstances but also win new clients.

The win places them alongside top campaigns produced by Sage UK, Mazda and Green Cola.

This achievement and its team’s wider work to support these sectors impressed the judges at the awards that were organised with the help of the PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) and backed by the Creative Marketing Council.

They were particularly impressed with the speed and effectiveness of the content produced by the firm’s Recover and Rebuild campaign.

Working with more than 100 firms of accountants and solicitors, JE Consulting’s team helped their clients to educate and inform businesses and individuals throughout the nation about the complex changes brought about by COVID-19 – a role they continue to support to this day.

This was achieved through the production of regular articles, press releases, guides, social media content and dedicated hubs.

Jo and Paul Edwards, JE Consulting’s founders and directors, said: “We are over the moon to win this award. It is fantastic recognition of the incredible hard work that we put in during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.

“The content and marketing strategies that we implemented for accountants, solicitors and many other companies have played a significant role in helping them to survive and thrive.

“A big thank you has to go to our team, who worked tirelessly, and our clients who stood by and supported us through all that the pandemic has had to offer.”

Business, Food and Drink, Lifestyle

CHEERS! NEW MERE GREEN BOOZER OPENS DOORS

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The impressively laid out bar area at the new Ale Hub in Mere Green

Sutton’s newest drinks venue pulls in the punters

‘People have been really welcoming to us and we have had a really successful opening day.’

Those are the words of the manager of Sutton Coldfield’s newest pub, which opened its doors on December 2.

A tiny yet welcoming atmosphere awaits ale enthusiasts at the tiny, but impressively laid out  micropub.

Locals enjoy a drink at the packed venue on Hill Village Road

Run by the McDiarmid family, it will be their fourth Ale Hub and manager Dan Truepenny says he has no doubt it will be a success.

He said: “It is our first pub on a main road and the feedback we have had so far has been really positive.

“People have been very keen to welcome us and we offer something that is pretty unique in this area.”

There was standing room only on the opening night and locals welcomed the fact that its specialises in real ales.

It is small with around 12 tables, but people spending their first evening there were able to do what the owners had planned for the venue.

That was to be able to socialise and enjoy good ales with just background music as the only distraction.
The former premises of Garner Canning Solicitors on Hill Village Road will add more variation to the already vibrant food and drink scene.

The owners said they have a love of real ale and their aim is to help to revitalise the local pub scene and provide the community with a choice of refreshing and well-kept drinks in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Business, News

Sutton Coldfield business ‘stronger after pandemic’

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Jo Edwards and Paul Edwards, who started JE Consulting in 1998

Firm goes for growth after lockdown

“The pandemic tested our resistance, with a tsunami of problems, but we have come through it stronger than when we started. I’m so very proud of our people.”

Those are the words of Jo Edwards, co-founder of JE Consulting, one of many businesses based in the thriving Sutton Coldfield area. 

The firm, founded in 1998, is emerging from the pandemic with new clients and optimism for the future.

More than 99 per cent of businesses in the UK are small and medium-sized enterprises or SMEs and Sutton is a prime example of that.

Jo said: “Sutton businesses are not corporates, we do not have a Toyota, Nissan or Google on our doorstep, but strong SMEs are the backbone of a local economy and we are glad to be part of that.”

As they emerge from the pandemic and various lockdowns, the company is continuing to grow with new clients, with a diverse and professional team and confidence for the future.

The company provides marketing, PR and digital services to a range of professional clients, from accountants to solicitors and health care providers. They have around 140 clients, with some with them since the beginning.

Jo and business partner Paul Edwards are both Sutton born and bred and started their business on 1 April, 1998.

 They have not looked back since as the company has gone from strength to strength.

Both are natives of Sutton and educated locally, Jo at John Wilmott and Paul at what was Riland Bedford, but is now Plantsbrook.

They initially started with a small office in Gate Lane, Boldmere, but soon outgrew the premises and moved to their current location at Mitre Court in Sutton, an office development nestling somewhere between Bishop Vesey school and the Birmingham Met College.

While initially a marketing consultancy, the firm has diversified and grown and now offers graphic design services, web design and SEO services and  PR expertise. It employs people from very different walks of life and offers a relaxed but professional working environment.

It all started nearly 24 years ago. Jo had been a marketing director at another company but then moved to working as a consultant for one company supplying software to accountancy firms.

 Word spread and other firms approached and that was when she and Paul decided it was time to go it alone as a separate company. 

Working mainly with accountancy firms, they began to employ staff and soon solicitors came on board, followed by health care providers, usually referred by those accountancy firms.

The growth in clients in the south-east of the country led to a base being set up in London and Jo splits her time between there and Sutton, while also spending plenty of time on the road meeting clients. Paul, together with operations director Niki Dale, looks after the day-to-day operations of the firm.

Jo said that 70 per cent of clients are south of Watford and the referral base is much more vibrant, less price resistant and more open to bringing in experts and that’s why it was vital to have a presence in the south.

Part of the team outside the JE Consulting office in Mitre Court

“You need to be within the bubble. And our new London presence opened doors for us,” said Jo.

Growing all the time but their commitment to Sutton Coldfield remains strong.

“We started our business in Sutton and we have no intention of leaving,” she said.

Marketing firms need to be agile and receptive to change and JE has had to keep pace with the growth in the internet and the huge changes triggered by digital technology.

Jo noted that over the last few years there has been a significant move from traditional marketing methods like direct mail to a more digitally focussed business, which has been embraced by professional clients.

She said: “Digital growth through the pandemic has shown marketing objectives can be achieved on digital platforms. 

“Referrals are still important, but digital is key as the next younger generation of business owners have grown up with the internet. First resources used tend to be Google searches for finding suppliers or contacts.

The company takes an enlightened approach to recruitment, being colour blind to ethnicity, gender and age.

Jo explained: “We have always looked for quirkiness with individuals. We do not necessarily expect university degrees, previous experience, or knowledge of the accountancy market place.

“Personality is important to us, employing the right person with the right attitude. You can teach the right person to do a professional job and the best possible training in marketing is doing the job.”

While the pandemic is still with us, the firm has taken a flexible view on working arrangements.

During lockdown, nearly all worked from home, but since restrictions were lifted, there is a combination of home and office working.

While accepting the current arrangements, Jo says she cannot imagine working from home permanently. She believes staff miss out on mentoring and young people in particular have missed out on the social aspect of the workplace.

Looking to the future, she is happy to further expand but values quality over quantity.

She added: “We are seen by clients as part of their team and yes we can expand and provide off the shelf packages for social media websites etc, but every business is unique. In marketing one size doesn’t fit all and we provide excellent support for good quality clients that value us and stay with us.

“As to the future, we will stay in Sutton, but if the need arises we will expand and open offices in Manchester, Tyneside, Scotland or wherever necessary. But we are very much Midlanders and that is our business base.”

Fore more information on JE Consulting visit the website here

Business, Lifestyle, News

New Sutton micropub a real family affair

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The McDiarmid family outside one of their other pubs. The Ale Hub is expected to open before Christmas

A new micropub opening in Sutton Coldfield is a real family affair with the owners saying they want it to have a community feel and employ local people.

The McDiarmid family will open their fourth Ale Hub in Mere Green, at the former premises of Garner Canning Solicitors on Hill Village Road.

The former solicitor’s office on Hill Village Road

The new mini boozer will offer traditional ales for drinkers, together with a selection of gins, other drinks and bar snacks and provide a relaxed environment for customers.

It will be open from midday to 11pm seven days a week.

The family will spend around £50,000 converting the offices into a new real ale mini boozer, with a capacity of around 12 tables. There will be background music, but no electronic machines, with the emphasis on conversation and socialising with few distractions.

It is anticipated that work will start sometime in October and the conversion should be complete towards the end of the year and almost certainly by Christmas.

It should be good timing as the long-awaited transformation of Mere Green and Mulberry Walk in particular, and will add more variation to the already vibrant food and drink scene.

It will be their fourth pub to open during the pandemic, a tribute to their business acumen and determination in difficult circumstances.

The family, who are based in the Solihull area, also run a web-based logistics company.

They said they have a love of real ale and became disillusioned over the quality of real ales being offered at larger chains, where the main emphasis is on food, rather than the quality of the drinks.

Parents Neil and Sue McDiarmid, together with sons Campbell, Connor and daughter Brodie decided to have a go themselves and opened micropubs in Dickens Heath and Shirley with another due to open in Worcester. The say they pride themselves on the Ale Hub being a family-run business.

Their aim is to help to revitalise the local pub scene and provide the community with a choice of refreshing and well-kept drinks in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Campbell explained how the family became involved: “My mum and dad are real ale lovers and they struggled to find somewhere to go to cater for their needs. They saw that ales were generally poorly kept and saw a gap in the market for a local community feel pubs that offer cask ale, craft beers but doesn’t concentrate on the food side.

These images from the other McDiarmid pubs show how the venue in Mere Green might look when it opens

“We chose Mere Green when we were told it would be suitable for the clientele we were aiming for. We looked for about three months and then this venue came up and we went for it.”

“We will employ a local manager with around four part-time staff, who will also be local.”

Campbell added that the quality of the ales was paramount. “We have strict procedures in place,” he said. “There are protocols in every one of our bars to ensure quality.”

The tiny new pub, sandwiched between a general store and a barbers shop, will offer another option for tipplers in the area, offering a range of traditional real ales together with various gins and other drinks.

The plan approved by Birmingham City Council shows the ground floor will have a bar area, cellar and around a dozen tables, with toilet facilities on the first floor.

In a statement to Birmingham City Council planning department, The Ale Hub said: “We are looking to operate a micropub out of the premises which will have a focus on being a pleasant friendly space for the local community.”

Business, News

Lidl Store to support food charities

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Nearly there. The new Lidl store at Mere Green will give surplus food to charities

Special offers for opening week

Lidl GB has confirmed that its new supermarket in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, will provide surplus food for local food banks after the store opens this Thursday, August 5.

The new store will be providing surplus produce and customer donations to local charities, including Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church and Hope Food who run food banks to help those in need, as well as Help to Make Tummies Full, who redistribute surplus food to prevent local children from going hungry.

This is delivered through Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme, which is run in partnership with Neighbourly and connects Lidl stores up and down the country with local charities, foodbanks, community cafes and kitchens, putting quality food surplus to good use every day.

The store has also said that it recommends the wearing of face coverings and will provide hand sanitisation for the foreseeable future.

During the first week of opening customers will be able to find exclusive deals and offers on selected products including a Tri Scooter with LED wheels (£8.99) on opening day, a Foot Spa Medisana (£9.99) the following day and a Record Player Dual (£44.99) on Saturday 7 August.

Part of the company’s ongoing £1.3bn expansion and regeneration plans across Great Britain for 2021 and 2022, the store will create around 40 new jobs for the local community. 

The new electric car charging station at Lidl

The store, which will provide electric car charging stations, said opening times will be between 8am – 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am – 4pm on Sunday, delivering Lidl’s offering of fresh, quality and great value produce. 

As well as being fitted with solar panels to help power the store, the supermarket will also have facilities such as an 1325m² sales area, an instore bakery, customer toilet and 124 car parking spaces, including 2 electric vehicle charging spaces.

Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Rachel Hargreaves, commented: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Mere Green.

“It is fantastic that we are able to continue our investment in Birmingham, enabling even more of the local community access to our multi-award winning products. We are delighted to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area and look forward to welcoming everyone to our new store.”

Business, Food and Drink, News

Opening date for store

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The new store nears completion and will feature a rapid charging point in the car park

Lidl announces August 5 opening

Discount grocer Lidl has confirmed that its new store in Mere Green will open on August 5. The German-owned giant will provide competition for Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and Poundland in the area.

A new Aldi is also planned for the former Waitrose on Belwell Lane.

Around 40 jobs, both full and part-time, will be created at the new Sutton Coldfield store and the news comes after a new Thai tapas style restaurant, the Giggling Squid, opened this week (July 26).

Workers are rushing to complete inside of the store and the car park will see the first rapid electric car charging point on the car park.

A Lidl spokesman said: “Once opened, the store will create around 40 full and part time jobs for the local area and we look forward to delivering our fresh, quality and affordable produce to the local community.”

The new supermarket is on the site of the former industrial premises in Mere Green Road, which has lain derelict for more than 10 years.

The store has not met with universal approval with fears of traffic chaos.

It does seem inevitable there will be a big increase in traffic on the busy stretch of road, with Mulberry Walk fully open with gym, shops, bars and restaurants. With a busy garage also at Mere Green island, it looks like delays will be on the way.

The Giggling Squid has opened with discounted prices for a limited time. For booking info, visit the new website at https://www.gigglingsquid.com/restaurant/mere-green/

Business, News

Hokey Cokey for hospitality in Sutton

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It’s becoming a bit like the hokey cokey for hospitality venues in Sutton Coldfield. They’re in, they’re out, then they’re back in again and who knows, maybe out again?

The Butlers Arms on Lichfield Road only reopened last weekend after the pub closed due to Covid-19 and The Bracebridge in Sutton Park was also forced to close its doors until July 24 for the same reason.

Now another popular venue, the Farmhouse Bistro at the Mitchell Centre on Weeford Road, has been forced to close and in another development, Mocha Coffee Lounge in Streetly has done the same.

A message on the Farmhouse Bistro website made this announcement: “We regret that the Bistro is now closed for a few days due to enforced staff isolation. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you again soon. Watch this space for an announcement on reopening”

The Mocha Lounge also added a similar message on Facebook.

It would appear that this is going to be a running theme. There are reports that a popular hospitality venue in Sutton Coldfield has told staff, via a memo, that if they attend a nightclub, they should not return to work for at least three days to try and prevent infections.