Colmore Business District

Birmingham international Jazz Festival - Day 5

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The final day of jazz in the District began with the Back Yard Music Boys playing classic jazz compositions by the likes of King Oliver and Louis Armstrong..

At Lunchtime, The Dixie Ticklers continued at Snow Hill Piazza entertaining passersby with skill and charm.

The final performance of the festival came from Mike Burney, rounding up proceedings with his selection of traditional jazz at the Old Contemptibles.

Birmingham International Jazz Festival - Day 4

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

The Shuffling Hungarians provided a vibrant mix of New Orleans Brass for morning commuters, bringing colour to a somewhat cloudy start this Thursday morning. .

By lunchtime, the sun was shining on Emanuele Fizzotti and his band while they played an interesting blend of blues and rock to a large crowd.

The final performance in Victoria Square came from Tipitina, who gave a spectacular rendition of some jazz and blues classics.

Richard Brennan

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Richard Brennan: 19 July 1952 – 19 July 2010.

CBD board member Richard Brennan lost his battle with cancer early this week. An integral part of the CBD board, Richard kept spirits high with an infectious laugh and wonderful sense of humour – he will be missed by the CBD board, staff and the wider business community. Our thoughts and wishes are with his family.

Funeral arrangements for Richard Brennan are as follows:

Family flowers

All donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care:
http://www.justgiving.com/birminghamforward

and Macmillan Cancer Support:
http://www.justgiving.com/birminghamforward

Lying in – 3.15pm to 4.45pm, Monday, 26 July 2010
Open casket viewing at the family’s home:
Caulfield House, 19 Saracen Drive, Solihull, CV7 7UA

The memorial service – 11.00am, Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Blessed Robert Grissold Church, Meeting House Lane, Balsall Common, CV7 7FX

The crematorium – 12.30pm, Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Robin Hood Crematorium, Streetsbrook Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3NL

Birmingham International Jazz Festival - Day 3

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Half way through a wonderful week of live music and Wednesday was set to be no exception..

The soulful voice of Becky Brine provided entertainment for both the morning and evening sessions, and those working in the District could enjoy their lunch on the CBD deck chairs while hearing the finest New Orleans and Trad Jazz by The Dixie Ticklers.

Birmingham International Jazz Festival - Day 2

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Tuesday 20th July: Day 2 of Birmingham’s International Jazz and Blues festival in CBD..

In St Philips Square, The Shuffling Hungarians welcomed morning commuters with their selection of New Orleans Brass. While the lunchtime and evening sessions enjoyed a dose of Dixieland provided by the talented Teens Jazzband Velke Losiny.

Colmore Business District at Taste of Business

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Colmore Business District partnered with Marketing Birmingham last weekend (16th – 19th July) to support the annual Taste of Business festival..

One of the speakers to officially launch the festival at the VIP drinks reception was CBD board member and managing director of Opus restaurant, Ann Tonks.

The three day-long event welcomed local, national and international visitors to celebrate the very best of the Birmingham hospitality industry. CBD is home to over 50 food and drink outlets, many of whom took part in this year’s festival including: Ashas, Jekyl and Hyde, Opus and Urban Coffee Company.

Birmingham International Jazz Festival - Day 1

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Today (Monday 19th July) was the official start of the CBD Jazz and Blues Festival..

Morning commuters to the District were welcomed to CBD by Jazz and Blues singer Becky Brine and at lunchtime visitors made the most of the sun and relaxed on the CBD branded deckchairs whilst listening to the talented guitarist Chick "Stoop Down Man" Willis.

A Tale of Two Cities: Coventry and Birmingham charging ahead with electric car network

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Electric car drivers in Coventry and Birmingham can now use a new network of easy-access charge points in the latest stage of the UK’s largest ultra low carbon vehicles trial.

The network of charging points has been installed by E.ON on behalf of the CABLED project, a trial of 110 vehicles being tested by ‘real world' users over the next 12 months.

On Tuesday 29th June, the two cities were joined together with a convoy of eco-cars travelling between the two to officially launch the latest stage of the Midlands journey to low-carbon motoring.

A number of electric vehicles including Mitsubishi, Tata and Modec will be making the 20 mile journey between two sets of charging points installed in convenient city centre streets; from Margaret Street in Birmingham to Croft Road, Coventry.

Charles Bradshaw-Smith, Head of Innovation at E.ON – and himself a participant in the CABLED project – said: "Coventry and Birmingham were the birthplace of the British car industry and it’s great that these two cities are now leading the way in bringing low-carbon motoring to our streets.

“Electric cars are perfect for commutes to work and for shopping trips to town – and we're proud to help make eco-driving even easier by being the energy behind these charging points.

“Today’s event shows that electric vehicles are a genuine alternative to petrol and diesel cars – I speak as someone who has driven 7,000 commuting miles in my electric vehicle.”

Councillor Linda Bigham, cabinet member for City Development at Coventry City Council, said: "This is a big step forward in the initiative to reduce harmful carbon emissions and encourage people and businesses to use electric vehicles. There are seven charging points in Coventry which are now ready to use with more planned in the future for domestic vehicles.

Coventry City Council has purchased 45 electric vehicles as part of an ongoing programme to replace its fleet vehicles. These will be in use from September, and more are planned in the years ahead. These vehicles will produce fuel savings of almost 20 per cent, whilst also reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent."

Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "As a city with a rich motoring heritage, our challenge for the future is to be at the forefront of low-carbon vehicle technology - and the development of a charging point network for the CABLED initiative is a vital step towards this goal.

"Last year we drew up the Birmingham Declaration on Climate Change in which we committed to only buy electric or LPG vehicles by 2015. That is why we are delighted to be working with partners to deliver the infrastructure that will underpin this."

Neil Butcher of Arup, project leader of the CABLED consortium said “Installation of public charging points is an essential part of the overall CABLED programme. Their availability will increase drivers’ confidence to use their cars for longer journeys. By monitoring usage of these points, we can gain vital insights on how many points will be needed and where we should install them, and hence prepare for the future mass introduction of electric vehicles.”

Eversheds scores for Acorns in charity football match

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:00 GMT

International law firm Eversheds staged a charity human table football competition in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice in Victoria Square, Birmingham on June 25th. .

The hugely successful tournament involved 32 5-a-side teams each representing a World Cup nation, supplied by local firms in Birmingham including Barclays, Ricoh, Deutsch Bank, the NEC Group and DLA Piper.

The tournament raised over £12,500 for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, with Lloyds TSB Commercial Markets eventually crowned champions when their team (Greece) narrowly beat HJB Gateley Wareing (England) in a closely fought final.

The trophy was presented by The Lord Mayor and The Lady Mayoress, Councillor Michael Wilkes and Mrs. Vivienne Wilkes in Victoria Square shortly after the final.

In addition to the football, spectators were kept entertained by a beat the goalie competition, tombola, a David Beckham look a like, World Football Free Style champion John Farnworth, as well as chatting to soldiers from 52 Infantry Brigade and Signal Squadron (258) based at Nuneaton who gave up their free time to act as stewards.

Sue Lewis, Senior Partner for the Birmingham Office of Eversheds which also has an office in South Africa, said:

“We were pleased to be able to catch the imagination of a number of Birmingham's larger companies and thank them for participating in a highly successful fun event that raised money for one of this City's most deserving charities”.

The event was sponsored by Officeteam Ltd, the UK’s leading business supplies and services company. Commenting on their involvement, Richard Morgan, the Group Sales Director said:

“We are proud to sponsor Eversheds in their Football Challenge Cup to help raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice.”

David Strudley, Acorns Chief Executive, said:

“It was great to see people raising vital funds for Acorns and having a fun day at the same time. It costs £4,500 per day to run each of Acorns’ three children’s hospices and the impressive amount raised by this event will help us continue to provide care and support for local life limited and life threatened children, and their families.”

To find out more about the work of Acorns Children's Hospice and how you can help raise vital funds call Acorns on: 0845 120 6892 or visit: www.acorns.org.uk

Birmingham Welcomes Back Taste of Business

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Taste of Business is set to return to Taste of Birmingham this summer. Sponsors Colmore Business District launched the free event exclusively for the city’s business community today (Friday 18 June).

Taste of Business takes place at the city’s premier outdoor food festival, providing members of the business community with their own dedicated event, which last year established itself as one of Birmingham's largest and best networking occasions.

Taste of Business takes place on Friday 16 July from 12noon and is set to become one of this summer's must-attend events. It gives visitors the opportunity to catch up with colleagues, entertain clients and network while enjoying the best of the region's culinary offer from 16 restaurants and over 50 local food producers. New restaurants to the festival this year include Pushkar’s, Deep Caribbean Experience and Café Ikon, reflecting the international theme.

Alongside the diverse range of restaurants, there will be a series of demonstrations and guest appearances by chefs from around the region including Luke Tipping, Richard Turner and stars of the BBC’s Great British Menu Glynn Purnell and Will Holland. Guests can also browse stalls from over 50 local producers at the Small Producers Market including Purity brewing co and Taste of the Moorlands; and enjoy live music from The Jam House.

Gary Cardin, chairman of Colmore Business District, sponsors of Taste of Birmingham, says:
“Food and drink are inextricably linked to the life of a vibrant, busy business community and we have over 50 food and drink outlets in the Colmore Business District area of the city alone - as witnessed by our well received "Food and Drink Guide".

“Whether you are looking for a Michelin starred quality dinner, or a quick bite we have everything to suit every palate and every pocket - so we should embrace and celebrate it.

“Our partnership with Marketing Birmingham to support Taste of Business builds on one of our key BID objectives to work with local businesses to help promote the wide range of facilities and services and hospitality offerings within the business district and we hope to spread this message regionally and nationally.”

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Marketing Birmingham, says: “Taste of Business celebrates the key role the business community plays in the city, filling our restaurants and bars each week, bringing people into our hotels, through our transport hubs and into our shops.

“In the current economic climate, it is important to support local businesses and events such as Taste of Business play their part in this by bringing people together to network at one of the city’s biggest leisure events.

“The Taste of Birmingham festival is set to attract thousands from around the region into the city and cements Birmingham’s status as a culinary hot spot.”

Admission to Taste of Business is free to all members of the business community and available on a first come first served basis. Tickets are limited to 2,000 people and can be obtained by registering online at www.visitbirmingham.com/taste.

Taste of Birmingham takes place at Cannon Hill Park from 16 -18 July. The outdoor food and drink festival showcases the best of the region's restaurants and local produce along with award-winning chefs and local rising stars.