The Birmingham Post (England) back issues from December 2008:
Halfords head office could be next for jobs axe; EXCLUSIVE.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: PAUL BRADLEY The economic downturn looks set to strike another big high street name this week a mid claims that Halfords is set to cut a quarter of its head-office staff. Following the fall from grace last week of Woolworths and MFI, the Worcestershire ...
Rev jesse jackson preaches at the Mount Zion.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Report, page 11 CAPTION(S): Rev Jesse Jackson preaches at the ...
Space shuttle detours to sunny California.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Space shuttle Endeavour and its seven astronauts landed safely back on Earth last night. The space shuttle landed in California, after being diverted there by stormyweather at Nasa's Florida spaceport ....
Need to take heed of Jackson's message.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The last time we saw civil rights crusader Jesse Jackson on our television screens he was openly weeping at the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. After almost half a century at the forefront of the bitter struggle to deliver equality for all ...
Housing slump makes all the difference to building targets.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... What a difference a year has made to the housing debate in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Developers who were eager to cash in on what appeared to be a never-ending boom in property prices have come back to earth with a thud, in a correction which raises serious questions ...
Fall in car sales leads to 'help' call by firms.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: NEVILL BOYD MAUNSELL Economics Editor West Midlands industry has been harder hit than manufacturing in any other part of the UK as the financial crisis infected the real economy this autumn. The latest quarterly survey of manufacturing by the EEF and Grant ...
Architects behind The Cube are set to close Edinburgh office.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The award-winning architecture firm behind what is set to be Birmingham's most eye-catching building has been forced to close its Edinburgh office to cope with the economic downturn. MAKE architects, headed up by Ken Shuttle worth, said work from the office would be spread ...
Bank expected to shave another 0.5pc off rates; UPDATE.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates by at least another 0.5 per cent this week as it tries to stave off a deep recession. The Monetary Policy Committee surprised markets last month by slashing the ...
The knock-on effects hurt; city view In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Alun Thorne We may not even technically be in recession yet but already the casualties in the war against cost are beginning to mount. As one organisation struggles, so their pain is passed down the food chain until it reaches source and there is nowhere else ...
Throwing down the gauntlet to institutions; In association with www.rbs.co.uk MIDLANDS Integrating Asian businesses within the mainstream.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: PAUL SUART A prominent figure in the Asian business community has challenged large institutions in the West Midlands to address an undercurrent of prejudice limiting opportunities for Asian business leaders. Arun Bajaj, chairman of the Institute of Asian ...
Five-year investment plan aimed at bolstering the influence of Asian business leaders in region; BACKGROUND In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... After fears that it may close, the Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) has agreed a five-year investment plan with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce to bolster the influence of Asian business leaders on regional economic policy. Senior figures and members of the IAB have spent ...
Asian firms will help turn tide of recession; In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The West Midlands' thriving Asian business community will help the region recover from the financial constraints of the recession, according to an economic figurehead. Dr Singh Sahota believes the debtless structure of many of the region's largest Asian-owned businesses will ...
More parks, less traffic please; In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: pen portrait Name? Victoria Marcer Age? 33 Title? Assistant director of PwC Best thing about the West Midlands? The buzzing business community combined with the central location, with relatively easy access to London and good ...
Harris takes on new role to build on Brum success; In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Former Aston Science Park chief executive Derek Harris is joining construction consultancy Emprima in a move aimed at expanding the business. Managing director Neil Pountney said Emprima intended to confront the present economic difficulties head on, positioning the firm at the ...
New Chambers boss determined to respond to regional issues; In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... City business boss Simon Top man has taken up the top job at the newly renamed West Midlands Chambers (WMC). He is the first person to take up the post since it was renamed from the Confederation of West Midlands Chamber of Commerce. He takes over from David Burton, who stood ...
3i leads third bid for airport; TRAVEL In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Private equity group 3i is reported to have teamed up with one of the world's biggest pension schemes to table a bid for Gatwick Airport. The group's infrastructure fund is said to be working with the Ontario Teachers' Pension Fund on a bid for the airport worth more than ...
Approaches for Leather; RETAIL In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Furniture retailer Land of Leather is understood to have received approaches from a number of potential bidders. The Kent-based group is thought to have received some preliminary takeover inquiries. Among the parties rumoured to be interested is turnaround specialist ...
Bidders circle Woolworths; RETAIL In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Woolworths could be broken up as early as this week as about a dozen serious bidders circle the high street chain, according to reports. Parts of the group's 815 store portfolio could be sold off in parcels to rival ...
Compass points to a good buy; share tips In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Sunday Telegraph Compass (306.25p), the world's largest catering company by market capitalisation, is likely to benefit from the economic downturn as businesses outsource their catering services to cut costs. Pre-tax profits rose 33.3 per cent to pounds 589 million ...
Office parties to go ahead despite gloom; WORKPLACE In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The credit crunch is not stopping companies enjoying office parties, according to a leading entertainment venue. The Ricoh Arena in Coventry has invested nearly ...
Consumers believe interest rate to rise; RATES In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Consumers believe interest rates will rise next year despite widespread expectation by analysts that rates could fall below 1 per cent, according to a new study. ...
Thomas Vale buck the trend with profits high; In association with www.rbs.co.uk.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Will Oliphant Construction firm Thomas Vale has bucked the trends to bring home record half year results. Turnover for the six months ending September 30 saw a 20 per cent rise to pounds 109.5million compared to pounds 91.4million in the same period last ...
City bathed in Jackson's light; RELIGION Civil rights leader talks of joy at Obama's victory.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: JANE TYLER Civil rights crusader the Rev Jesse Jackson brought his whistle-stop UK tour to Birmingham hot on the heels of American electing its first black president. The American preacher addressed the enthusiastic congregation at Mount Zion Community Church ...
Pledge to fight for the reinstatement of railway line facing closure.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Campaigners have vowed to fight for the full reinstatement of a rail service which was axed by Government officials. The Walsall to Wolverhampton line whichcarriesanestimated60,000passengers a year will end next month after Rail Minister Tom Harris refused to subsidise it. ...
Football club fight backed by Home Secretary; SPORT Town's MP urges supporters to get behind team.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: PAUL BRADLEY A struggling Midlands football club was today given the full backing of the Home Secretary after its manager sent out a rallying cry to save it from the brink of extinction. Redditch United fan Jacqui Smith, who is also MP for the town, is urging ...
Temper's zodiac art vies with Rubens.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... London's Banqueting House in Whitehall, renowned for its paintings by Rubens, played host to a slightly different kind of art in a showcase of work by Wolverhampton-born graffiti artist Temper. Temper, whose real name is Arron Bird, already has influential admirers in the ...
MP calls for law change to inspire comeback for building societies.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Former building societies which have collapsed because of the recession should return to their roots, according to MPs. Adrian Bailey (Lab West Bromwich West) urged Ministers to bring back building societies, following the failure of high street banks. Bradford & ...
Teacher was infected for six years without even knowing.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... With hindsight, Midland teacher Anna (not her real name) now realises she has been suffering with HIV for the past six years even though she was only diagnosed last year. But worst of all, she has no idea how many lives may have been devastated in the same way by unsuspectingly ...
Crusade to bury the stigma that surrounds HIV; HEALTH Experts blame GPs for failing to test victims.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: ALISON DIYANI Health Correspondent HIV victims across the West Midlands have nearly quadrupled over the past seven years - but another third don't even know they have the infection. Experts today warned for Worlds AIDS Day that thousands of infected people ...
Police force's council tax precept rise to be capped.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Ministers have confirmed plans to cap Warwickshire Police's council tax charges next year, but rejected calls to freeze bills. Local Government Minister John Healey said the force would be limited to a three per cent increase in the precept charged to residents, which is added ...
Daughter is arrested after couple killed.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Two pensioners murdered in their home were battered to death, it has emerged. The bodies of the couple, named as Arthu rand Joan Toop, were found in the detached bungalow. A 52-year-old woman, understood to be their daughter Susan Toop, was also found at the bungalow ...
Gas blast 'felt like an earthquake'.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... A man is fighting for his life after a gas explosion "like an earthquake" destroyed three flats. The man was rescued from the scene in Wigan, Lancashire, by emergency workers last night along with seven other injured residents. The man, who has not been named, is in a ...
Harman 'concern' over Tory Green arrest row; POLITICS Commons Leader fears 'principles' could be at stake.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: CRAIG WOODHOUSE Press Association The processes allowing police to search MPs' offices in the House of Commons should be reviewed following the Damian Green affair, Commons Leader Harriet Harman said today. Ms Harman said she was "very concerned" at the arrest ...
Protesters celebrate in homes plan near airport campaign.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Developers have finally admitted defeat in an 18-month homes battle which saw angry residents take their "David and Goliath" struggle to the Prime Minister. Warwick-based Sandstone Group have decided not to go ahead with a High Court challenge to a planning inspector's damning ...
Ban on happy hours in binge drinking fight.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... New laws to tackle binge drinking will be unveiled tomorrow, which home secretary Jacqui Smith hopes will end scenes of "people lying on the pavements and being sick". Pubs, clubs and shops face a ban on "irresponsible" price promotions and will be forced to offer the choice of ...
Race is on for retailers as VAT cut hits stores; Shop pricing systems face chaos at busiest time.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: NICKY BURRIDGE Press Association Retailers were yesterday scrambling to complete changes to their pricing systems ahead of the VAT reduction which comes into force today. A number of major retailers, including the big supermarkets, have already passed on the ...
Voters set to approve heroin for addicts; SWITZERLAND.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Projections say Swiss voters have overwhelmingly supported a pioneering programme giving government-authorised heroin to hardened addicts. The projections from ...
Opera House creator tribute; AUSTRALIA.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The distinctive white sails of the Sydney Opera House darkened last night to mourn the death of Joern Utzon, 90, the creative mind behind the globally known landmark. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led praise for the Danish architect, whose distinctive creation Is the country's most ...
Cholera fears as rains come; ZIMBABWE.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Zimbabwean health authorities said 425 people have died In a cholera outbreak and they are concerned It will worsen with the onset of the rainy season. More than 11,000 people have fallen sick since August, the official Sunday Mail newspaper reported. The number of cases has ...
Spain flies in to return its people stuck in Thailand.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Spain Is to send planes to repatriate more than 500 Spaniards stranded In Thailand due to the closure of Bangkok's airports. In a statement the Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero co-ordinated the operation with the foreign and defence ministries. ...
Smith pledges security review after shootings; Lessons 'need to be learned 7 as global terror threat evolves.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Home Secretary Jacqul Smith said the nature of the attacks on Mumbai would prompt a review of how Britain prepared Itself against terrorism. Ms Smith said the "first priority" was to support the Indian authorities and British citizens who had been Involved In what she called a ...
Its not the joke - its the way you write it; In the second of Tindal Street Press's short story master classes, author Paul McDonald advocates the use of humour LIFESTYLE.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Humour Is not always appropriate In fiction but, as In life, It Is generally more welcome than not. Writers who are able to exploit their capacity for humour can augment the power of their work considerably: authors are entertainers, after all, and there are few better ways to entertain ...
Reality check; AGENDA Stigma of Aids remains a major stumbling block to tackling sexual disease, says Dr Steve Taylor, lead consultant for HIV services in Birmingham.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Dr Steve Taylor It was during the 1980s that HIV/AIDSfirst hit the headlines, with people terrified of what appeared at the time to beanincurable and fatal disease, one that could be caught so very easily. Twenty years on, treatment has evolved so much, that ...
Our culture has capital value.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: sarah evans Woolworths, the Nutcracker and the Royal Family. Anunlikely combination, yet they all three feel English institutions, things that will always be there. Woolworths is a household name, a symbol for a certain sort of friendly, useful, cheap and ...
Letter: Sikorski DNA test may reveal some answers to a wartime puzzle.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Ian Payne Dear Editor, I note with interest in the national and international media about the exhumation of the wartime Polish Prime Minister General Sikorski for DNA testing on how he died in 1943 during a flight in a Liberator aeroplane, from Gibralter airport, on ...
Letter: Anti-road agenda is real conundrum.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Chris Kelly Dear Editor, Reporting on the high level motor industry meeting with Lord Mandelson your headline read "We need to drive motor industry, says Minister". Well someone needs to tell Centro AWM and the councils this, as they all have a totally anti-road agenda. ...
Letter: Act now to save aged from winter deaths.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Neil Duncan-Jordan Dear Editor, Britain's biggest older people's organisation, the National Pensioners Convention, has called on the government to take immediate action to tackle the rising number of winter deaths amongst the country's elderly. The call ...
POST PEOPLE: GVA Grimley Shooting Day.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Members of the building consultancy team at GVA Grimley Birmingham, held their annual clay pigeon shooting day at Hereford and Worcester shooting ground, near Redditch. Around 25 property professionals attended and were on smoking form, competing to become the sharpest shoot of ...
POST PEOPLE: BHSF Delegates Evening.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Birmingham-based nationwide healthcare provider BHSF entertained 100 of their client representatives at the Black Country Museum, Dudley. The party at the Delegates Evening were treated to a bus tour of the museum and a traditional Black Country supper as part of BHSF's thank ...
Editor's job's the write stuff to be all ale and hearty.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: john bright Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson has been telling me how he recently went on a jaunt to help judge the British Guild of Beer Writers annual journalism awards. These are the guys who have the privilege of scribbling away, in mostly specialist ...
Quiz of the Day.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... 1. In which sport might you see a western roll? 2. Which English navigator gave his name to an island north-east of Tasmania, a mountain range in southern Australia and a river in Queensland? 3. The rowan is another name for which tree? 4. What geological ...
CULTURE: BRB has Russian classic cracked; review The Nutcracker Birmingham Royal Ballet Birmingham Hippodrome ***.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Susan Turner A giant flying swan, a doddery dancing grandpa and the capture of King Rat in a cage are the best bits of Birmingham Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker - according to my young companion. And although it's uncool at 12-and-ahalf to admit to being ...
CULTURE: At last I can thank my fans; Italian singer-songwriter Zucchero has sold over 25 million records but is only now undertaking his first full UK tour. Ahead of his Symphony Hall show Andy Coleman finds out why.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: Andy Coleman Q. Your shows in Britain are being billed as your first UK tour. Why have you not toured here before? A. For many years I have wanted to tour the UK but it has not been possible because of timing. Each time I play London I meet many people who ...
Bridal shoe designer's taking her first steps.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: ANNA BLACKABY A Birmingham shoe designer specialising in bridal footware is optimistic about the debut of her first own-name collection in independent wedding boutiques across the country despite the difficult retail backdrop. Harborne-based Rachel Simpson ...
RBH on top of the world after award for 'global' website launch; LAND ROVER.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... West Midland communication firm Rees Bradley Hep burn scooped gold at a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating the UK's digital advertising talent outside the capital. The firm was recognised at the Fresh Digital Awards in Manchester for its "Our Planet" global website for Land ...
Crackdown on ringtone sales may spread to other areas.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Midland businesses are being warned that an EU crackdown on ringtone and wallpaper websites offering downloadable content for mobile phones could spread to other sectors. The caution, from Birmingham law firm the Wilkes Partnership, comes on the back of an EU-wide "sweep" ...
Stan's Cafe scoops top prize at awards night; CREATIVE.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: ANNA BLACKABY Creative Industries Editor The Birmingham theatre company behind the acclaimed Of All The People In All The World exhibition scooped the top prize at the Creative City Awards in a sparkling event attended by the cream of Birmingham's creative talent. ...
Students win high praise as top achievers are recognized; CREATIVE.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... The Chartered Institute of Marketing recognised its top worldwide students at a graduation ceremony in Birmingham's Symphony Hall with a series of ten top awards. The ceremony, the largest in many years, was attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Randal Brew, the ...
Agency hired to drive forward hire fleet group; CREATIVE.(News)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Birmingham marketing and digital communications agency OWB has been appointed by vehicle hire and fleet management systems firm Prohire. The agency will carry out a direct marketing campaign to target new customers as well as an overhaul of the Prohire website and online ...
Take a risk and free up talent; CREATIVE.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: gary robinson Our business thrives on creativity. Probably a statement every radio managing director would make, however I feel rightly justified in typing that sentence. That said, being themanaging director of a creative radio station like ...
Early morning presenter falls victim to ITV staff cutbacks; CREATIVE.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... ITV Central's early morning presenter Arti Halai has been named as the latest victim in the broadcaster's staff cutbacks announced earlier this year. Ms Halai is one of dozens of Central employees being let go across a range of departments as the channel battles against a ...
Delight as ideas event finds Wolff's tone disarming; CREATIVE SECTOR Agency guru proves to be less confrontational.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Birmingham's creative sector and the city council took a step closer together at an event looking at how innovative thinking on everyday issues can make Birmingham a better place to live. Michael Wolff, the co-founder of brand agency Wolff Olins, led a workshop at the newly ...
Worried marketers should seize opportunity, says CIM chief; CREATIVE.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Marketers in the Midlands are increasingly worried about the UK economy and their own job prospects, according to a new survey. The latest Marketing Trends Survey from The Chartered Institute of Marketing, conducted by Ipsos MORI, found marketers based in the Midlands are ...
From OAP school dinners invite to Tai Chi for free; CREATIVE.(Features)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Inviting old people to school dinners, free Tai Chi and passing a new law which requires every empty building in city to be filled with art - these were just some of the hundreds of ideas generated at the event led by Michael Wolff. Attendees at the Creative Republic-organised ...
Industry at all levels is in need of quick help; AUTOMOTIVE Europe scheme is good but alone not enough - SMMT.(Business)
Dec 01, 2008 ... Byline: JOHN CRANAGE Industrial Editor Britain cannot rely on the European Union alone to protect Its "strategically vital" automotive Industry In a time of global crisis. That was the message from Graham Smlthln a speech to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and ...