Edwin Ellis Creative Media Client News Winter 2018

CLIENT EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA

EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018 1

NEWS Retail BID Birmingham: It’s Chriiiistmaaaassss!

Lego Noddy Holder is a New Street selfie star

WINTER 2018

PR MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE PUBLISHING WEBSITE CONTENT EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

2 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run press release | Sept 2018 PRESS COVERAGE: Birmingham City FC official Twitter Birmingham City FC website Birmingham Live Birmingham Mail BBC WM radio Worcester News The Sheffield Star

BLUES BROTHERS TEAM UP FOR GREAT BIRMINGHAM RUN ON BEHALF OF ANNIE They put their bodies on the line each time they pulled on a Blues shirt and now former team-mates Paul Devlin and Paul Tait will smash through the pain barrier again – but this time for a far more pressing and personal cause.

Devlin’s 12-year-old daughter Annie will be at the forefront of the former St Andrew’s midfield duo’s minds when they tackle the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run half marathon on Sunday, October 14.

Sutton Coldfield-based Devlin, aged 46, says it is a miracle Annie is alive after an uncanny chain of events saved her from certain death when she suffered an adrenal crisis last December, caused by Addison’s Disease, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands.

Tait, 47, who has been close friends with Devlin since the latter joined him at City 22 years ago, is now helping his Blues brother try to raise £20,000 to fund treatment not available on the NHS that will help keep Annie, a Bishop Walsh Catholic School pupil, alive and give her a better quality of life.

Despite being hampered by physical scars from their footballing careers, they will join thousands of runners of all abilities at the Midlands’ most-popular half marathon, which features an improved route that starts on the Broad Street ‘Golden Mile’ and finishes on Jennens Road.

The 13.1-mile challenge, returning to its popular morning start time, will take runners, joggers and walkers through Cannon Hill Park and past such iconic sights as the Selfridges building, Edgbaston Stadium and Bournville’s Cadbury World.

Addison’s Disease prevents victims from creating the essential cortisol and aldosterone hormones and Devlin remembers vividly the night he, wife Sally and his other children – Jessica, aged 19, Sean, 16, and James, ten – had their world turned upside down nine months ago.

“Annie had been ill for a couple of weeks but took a turn for the worse so we took her to see different doctors on the Thursday and Friday,” said Devlin, who has arthritis in his knee and toes.

“After being told it was a water infection and then a sickness bug, she wasn’t improving so we took her to Good Hope Hospital on the Saturday evening – and we’re so, so lucky we did.

“After walking into A&E, she suffered an adrenal crisis. For the next five or six hours, several doctors worked tirelessly to save her life. If you’d asked me that evening whether she’d be with us on the Sunday, I’d have said no.

“Had we been anywhere else when it happened – at home, at school – she’d have died. It was a huge shock, and we’re so lucky she’s still here. A couple of weeks before, she’d been a perfectly normal, happy 11-yearold girl. To then hear how close she came to dying, it knocks you for six.”

A fragile Annie was moved to Heartlands Hospital and spent a week in intensive care.

In the following months, she has been in and out of Birmingham Children’s Hospital eight times.

“Only 8,500 people have this condition in the UK, and it’s even rarer in kids,” added

EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018 3

Devlin, who made over 120 appearances for Blues.

“There’s a four-year waiting list to see the one paediatric expert in the country.

“Annie has to take four oral doses of hydrocortisone per day. The first is at 6.30am, when we pretty much have to jump start her.

“This medication keeps her alive as everyday things can make her seriously ill.

From falling over to vomiting, diarrhoea or a long journey – her body can’t deal with any kind of stress.

“We’re trying to raise enough money for her to have a steroid pump fitted, which would inject the medication into her bloodstream, meaning she would only need one dose a day. The pump would also help us accurately increase the dosage when required.

“Every day is different and needs to be managed, because if she suffers extreme stress, she could have another adrenal crisis.

“Also, as she gets older, Annie may need further medical help as the condition can cause other complications. We’re also raising funds for research into an EpiPen, which would save parents valuable time when administering an emergency injection. At the moment, it takes a couple of minutes to make up.”

Devlin has organised two other fundraising events. Joining him and Tait at a Q&A at Tally Sports & Conference Centre, Pershore Road, on October 12, which sold out in a fortnight, will be former Blues stars Geoff Horsfield, Martin O’Connor and Robert Hopkins.

The duo will then line-up for Blues All-Stars against Wolves All-Stars at Tally Ho on Sunday, October 21 (ko 11am). The Blues squad will feature ‘old boys’ debutant Paul Robinson, who is also running the half marathon to raise funds for Annie’s appeal, plus the likes of O’Connor, Darren Carter, Dele Adebola and Jeff Kenna, and celebrity fans Glynn Purnell and Ian Danter.

“I’ve done one half marathon but it was too long ago to remember!” quipped Devlin, who runs football coaching courses for four-14-year-olds of all abilities across the Midlands.

“I keep myself reasonably fit and I’m actually looking forward to the half marathon as it’s nice to have something to train for, but there’s also some trepidation. Fifteen years as a pro takes its toll on your joints and running 13.1miles will not be easy.

“As for Taity, he rarely plays charity matches because his knee blows up to the size of a football. To think he’s willing to put his body through a half marathon for my daughter, knowing he’ll be in a lot of pain the next day, I can’t thank him enough.

“I’m sure we’ll make it to the finish line,

but I don’t know who will be carrying who!”

Redditch-based Tait had to have his right knee reconstructed at 19 and had eight further operations during an injury-plagued career but is determined to get to the finish line for Annie.

“I keep fit through Thai boxing, and the Thaitans Martial Arts Academy in Redditch is doing a lot of work with me because running 13.1 miles is going to be tough,” said Tait, who also runs a football coaching company for youngsters, called Midlands Soccer Coaching.

“Devs and Sally have been through hell.

Being a dad myself, I can’t imagine what it would feel like seeing one of my kids go through this. It must be absolutely horrific.

“I just want to do my bit to help Devs reach the £20,000 mark for Annie and raise awareness of this condition, because so little is known about it.”

Devlin also clarified why he’s having to fundraise: “There’s this misconception that every footballer is on £50k-100k a week.

“My era just missed out on the big money, and I’m also one of many footballers who were given bad financial advice or made bad investments. I lost most of the money I earned from football when a company went bust in the 2008 financial crash.”

4 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018 5

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ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHRIIISTMAAASSS! TAKE A SEASONAL SELFIE WITH LEGO NODDY HOLDER Merry Christmas, Birmingham!... Visitors to New Street station will be greeted by a lifesized Lego recreation of one of the Midlandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most famous musicians this Christmas.

Slade frontman Noddy Holder â&#x20AC;&#x201C; best known for writing the Christmas anthem Merry Xmas Everybody â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has been recreated in his famous yellow and red 1970s glam-rock suit using more than 43,000 Lego bricks, taking over 260 hours to build.

The colourful Noddy sculpture has been commissioned by Retail BID Birmingham, the Business Improvement District for the city centre retail area, and is in aid of the work of Birmingham Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Charity, with Noddy selfie-snappers encouraged to donate to the charity and support the #momentsofmagic campaign.

Noddy, from Walsall, has one of the most recognisable voices in rock music and his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas!â&#x20AC;&#x2122; chant during Merry Xmas Everybody has become an instantly recognisable seasonal staple.

Slade rose to fame during the glam rock era in the early 1970s, securing 17 consecutive top 20 hits and six number ones. The British Hit Singles & Albums names them as the most successful British group of the 1970s based on sales of singles, while Merry Xmas Everybody has been called the best Christmas single of all time by several music publications.

The band built a fanbase around the world

and became as famous for their flamboyant clothing and live performances as they did their chart-topping singles. Noddy is the proud recipient of an MBE for his services to music.

The Noddy sculpture was designed and built by Bright Bricks, the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only specialist Lego builders.

In addition to colourful new LED lighting on trees on New Street, High Street and Lower Temple Street the Lego statue is another attraction unveiled by the BID to help brighten the city centre during the Christmas shopping period.

The BID is also keen to raise awareness of the outstanding work at Birmingham Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, where â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Moments of Magicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; happen every single day.

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a ground-breaking piece of medical research, the sound of a patient giggling as theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re entertained in their bed or the sight of them playing in a newly-refurbished playroom, this Christmas the hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity is on a mission to make sure even more of these magical moments happen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Noddy Holder said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really chuffed! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great honour to have the statue made and I know a lot of hours have gone into it. The fact that it is helping to raise funds for Birmingham Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Charity at Christmas time makes it feel extra special.â&#x20AC;?

Steve Hewlett from Retail BID said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The

retailers wanted to create something fun that everyone visiting the city could enjoy and also raise money for the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospital.

The statue has been designed from an original band photo of Slade and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tribute to a much-loved song and made from one of the most popular toys at Christmas.â&#x20AC;?

Serena Daw, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Charity, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are so incredibly grateful to Noddy Holder and Retail BID Birmingham for supporting the 90,000 children treated at our hospital every year in this truly magical way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Noddy is a local legend who is synonymous with Christmas and this iconic Lego statue is sure to put a smile on everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face as they walk past. We would like to urge everyone who takes a moment to enjoy Noddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifesize statue to think about the sick kids in our hospital this Christmas and to consider making a donation to help us make every moment magical for them.â&#x20AC;?

6 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

TREE LIGHTS AND GIANT POPPIES TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ TO ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018 7

Retail BID Birmingham press release | October 2018 PRESS COVERAGE: BBC Midlands Today live interview Birmingham Mail Birmingham Post Brumpic What’s On Birmingham Birmingham Updates Retail BID Birmingham is giving city centre visitors the opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to all those involved in the war effort by displaying large poppies throughout the city centre retail area.

Twenty-five trees on New Street, Temple Street and High Street will be lit red using the Retail BID’s new LED lighting system for the duration of Birmingham’s Poppy Appeal – Thursday, October 25 until Armistice Day, Sunday, November 11 – to create a beautiful visual statement in support of the work of The Royal British Legion and to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The Royal British Legion, which has a branch on New Street, provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families.

By the end of the First World War more than a million British and Empire Forces were among the dead, a further 1.25 million were injured and a fifth were disabled for life.

Four million soldiers returned home to find a shortage of housing and jobs, and a struggling economy. Despite this they brought the same resolve to peace that they had shown in the war, helping to rebuild Britain.

Retail BID, the Business Improvement District for the city centre shopping and leisure area, is backing the Legion’s ‘Thank You’ initiative, which encourages people to get involved in all sorts of activities in memory of those who served, sacrificed and lost their lives in the First World War. The Poppies were unveiled on Thursday, October 25, when the tree lights were also switched on. They will stay in place until Armistice Day, which this year has added poignancy, as it recognises 100 years since the end of the First World War. Richard Norgrove, Chair of Retail BID, said: “Birmingham has a long history of supporting the Royal British Legion and it’s something we as businesses should respect and recognise.

We endorse everything the Legion does and hope it can raise even more funds during the Poppy Appeal to support their great work.”

www.birminghamlive.co.uk

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2018

BIRMINGHAM MAIL

3

News

PAINT THE TOWN RED!

The city centre’s retailers are backing the Poppy Appeal by turning the trees red

TREES LIT UP IN CITY CENTRE TO SUPPORT POPPY APPEAL TREES in the city centre are turning red in support of Birmingham’s Poppy Appeal.

Twenty-five trees on New Street, Temple Street and High Street will be lit red for the duration of the appeal, which began on Thursday and runs until Armistice Day, Sunday, November 11.

The aim is to create a beautiful visual statement in support of the work of The Royal British Legion and to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Retail BID Birmingham is also giving city centre visitors the opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ to all those involved in the war effort by displaying large poppies throughout the city centre retail area.

The Royal British Legion, which has a branch on New Street, provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans, and their families.

By the end of the First World War more than a million British and Empire Forces were among the dead, a further 1.25 million were injured and a fifth were disabled for life.

Four million soldiers returned home to find a shortage of hous-

ing and jobs, and a struggling economy.

Despite this they brought the same resolve to peace that they had shown in the war, helping to rebuild Britain.

Retail BID, the Business Improvement District for the city centre shopping and leisure area, is backing the Legion’s ‘Thank You’ initiative, which

encourages people to get involved in all sorts of activities in memory of those who served, sacrificed and lost their lives.

Richard Norgrove, Chair of Retail BID, said: “Birmingham has a long history of supporting the Royal British Legion and it’s something we as businesses should respect and recognise.

“We endorse everything the

Legion does and hope it can raise even more funds during the Poppy Appeal to support their great work.”

Steve Hewlett, Retail BID Manager, said: “Retail BID has made a significant investment by spectacularly lighting the trees throughout the area to support events and activities in the city centre and this was the perfect opportunity to launch the lighting and the large poppies in support of the Royal British Legion and to recognise all of our armed forces.”

Sophia Snell, Royal British Legion Community Fundraising Manager, said: “This Poppy Appeal, as we mark 100 years since the end of the First World War, The Royal British Legion is asking the nation to say ‘Thank You’ to the entire First World War generation who served, sacrificed and changed our world.

“Everyone has a reason to say ‘Thank You’. We all have a connection to the First World War and the Legion wants to encourage the people of Birmingham and beyond to recognise the legacy that generation left us, whilst also remembering today’s generation of veterans, those serving and their families.”

Steve Hewlett, Retail BID Manager, said: “Retail BID has made a significant investment by spectacularly lighting the trees throughout the area to support events and activities in the city centre and this was the perfect opportunity to launch the lighting and the large poppies in support of the Royal British Legion and to recognise all of our armed forces.”

Sophia Snell, Royal British Legion Community Fundraising Manager, said: “Everyone has a reason to say ‘Thank You’. We all have a connection to the First World War and the Legion wants to encourage the people of Birmingham and beyond to recognise the legacy that generation left us, whilst also remembering today’s generation of veterans, those currently serving and their families.

With this in mind we are very grateful for the support we have received this year from Retail BID who wanted to mark this centenary year with a display of poppies along New Street – a poignant lit-up display that says Thank You to Birmingham’s First World War generation.”

8 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

Retail BID Birmingham Edit member magazine | Ongoing 28 PAGES BI-ANNUAL PRINTED AND EBOOK VERSION WRITTEN, DESIGN AND PRINT-MANAGED BY EDWIN ELLIS

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NOCTURNAL ANIMALS BY THE WILDERNESS

RETAIL BID

The team behind the unique The Wilderness restaurant have launched their brand-new concept, Nocturnal Animals by The Wilderness.

The new venue is located at 20 Bennetts Hill and is the second venue conceived by Alex Claridge, to create a fun and inventive experience. The site, inspired by 80s pop culture, provides a culinary journey with ingenious drinks, bold flavours and afternoon tea unlike ever seen before.

Downstairs is home to a 42-cover fine dining restaurant, where the food draws heavily on the kitchen’s Konro charcoal grills, as well as eclectic influences from both modern Japanese and Chinese cooking. The restaurant offers an ambitious and accessible taster menu for both lunch and dinner – as well as an à la carte bar menu across all floors.

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Tiger Bites Pig at 34 Stephenson Street will be run by two friends – Scottish chef Neil McGougan, formerly of Two Cats and The Church JQ, and Keith Holland, a widely travelled Australian from Perth who has been in the UK for 10 years.

The new Chinese restaurant is promising ‘bao, bowls and beer’ in the ground floor of the historic Guildhall Building.

Bao cooking often offers a meal inside a steamed, white bun.

Food will also be served in bowls and diners visiting the theatre-style kitchen will have the opportunity to wash it all down with beer, too.

From food new arriva LUSH ON THE MOVE

Cosmetics store Lush is opening one of its biggest branches in the UK in Birmingham city centre this winter.

The new store will take the place of the former Adidas sportswear retailer on New Street under the Rotunda.

Opening opposite a new-look JD Sports, H&M and Metro Bank, Lush will help boost a booming retail offer in the New Street and High Street area.

wraps to bustling Gran tag line, ‘Slow Food Fa promises honest, simp perfection. The menu by classic pub food.

Signature dishes incl pork with apple sauce wrapped in a Yorkshir slow roasted pork and with apple sauce and wholemeal bread.

HERMAN ZE GERMA

Another Grand Centra Ze German will sell br chicken schnitzel as w of German beers, whe November.

The Herman ze Germ “Our sausages are ma called Fritz. They are m Forest in Germany. Frit

ANARCHY45 Described as ‘fitness without rules’, Anarchy45 training has opened on Temple Street in the former home to electronics retailer Maplin.

The boutique gym studio – complete with its own prosecco bar – promises to give city centre professionals a ‘true high end gym experience’.

PIG AND APPLE Pig and Apple is bringing Yorkshire pudding

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BIRMINGHAM New LED tree lights decorate streets for seasonal visitors

PLUS

BID’s life-sized Lego Noddy Holder welcomes Christmas shoppers

PAGE 14 EDIT AUTUMN/WINTER 2018

Dippy at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

DIPPY DINO VISITORS SPEND £4.2m IN CITY The huge impact of the Dippy the Dinosaur exhibition has now been revealed. Over 250,000 people visited Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG), spending £4.2 million in the city during its 107-day run.

The record-breaking exhibition is BMAG’s most successful ever temporary exhibition with 255,548 visitors from May 26 – September 9, 2018.

Research shows that the direct economic impact of these visitors on the city is almost £1.7 million bringing additional spend to local businesses, shops, restaurants and hotels.

Birmingham was the second stop on the tour of the Natural History Museum’s iconic 26 metre long Diplodocus cast, but Dippy captivated visitors from across the region and beyond.

The exhibition attracted 140,203 additional visitors to Birmingham city centre, who visited especially to see the exhibition, including 66,844 visitors from outside the West Midlands. Meanwhile the popularity of the exhibition helped to boost BMAG’s overall visitor figures, with the museum attracting more than double the amount of visitors than during the same period last year.

Primark Pavilions to open in spring 2019 Showpiece development will help boost High Street offer

The biggest retail development in two streets, giving visitors using the new Birmingham city centre since the HS2 rail terminus direct access to the retail opening of Grand Central is due to open area. in spring 2019.

A Primark spokesperson said: “We The giant Primark Pavilions scheme on will unveil our new flagship store in High Street is breathing Birmingham during spring ‘The store will new life into the High Street 2019. This will be our largest also have a and New Street retail area store to date, featuring the with a vast retail space and personalisation latest contemporary shop fit five floors of fashion on the and an enhanced customer service; recharge experience with 160,000 sq site of the former Pavilions shopping centre. seating area and free ft of retail space and five Architects’ impressions of fashion. The store WiFi. Other surprises floors show a striking building in will create over 500 new High Street and a new view will be revealed on jobs and 430 colleagues will from Moor Street Station. transfer from our existing opening day’ The project will also location in Birmingham. involve new pedestrian access routes “Development is progressing well and to running between Moor Street and High facilitate some additional work, we have Street and new façades fronting these moved the opening date to spring 2019.

EDWIN EDWINELLIS ELLISCREATIVE CREATIVEMEDIA MEDIA CLIENT CLIENTNEWS NEWS WINTER WINTER2018 2018 9

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6-PAGE FOCUS ON THE PARTNERSHIPS AND PROJECTS FIGHTING CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

sausages since we were kids so they are very good!”

The chain was founded in 2008 as a street-food stall touring festivals and markets all over the UK and this will be the first Herman Ze German restaurant outside the capital.

BID launches organisation to tackle store crime

MANHATTAN AVENUE

A new organisation called City Safe has been launched to tackle business crime and create a more welcoming environment in Birmingham city centre.

It provides businesses with the latest digital radios, access to a secure two-way network and a text messaging system which will give the ability to identify and respond to issues immediately.

Led by Retail BID and working in partnership with West Midlands Police and British Transport Police, City Safe has been brought about in response to Retail BID members who are becoming increasingly concerned about business crime and the impact of anti-social behaviour on the safety of staff and visitors.

Responding to the needs of businesses,

New cocktail bar Manhattan Avenue has opened in the city centre, just off John Bright Street.

The 50-seater venue will be in two units on Lower Severn Street, behind the junction with John Bright Street that is already home to a BrewDog, Turtle Bay and others.

Manhattan Avenue will serve a selection of classic cocktails such as Cosmopolitan, Long Island Iced Tea, Martini and, of course, the classic Manhattan.

CITYSAFEBIRMINGHAM.CO.UK

the organisation’s prime focus is to reduce crime and to help create a safe and secure city centre. Prior to its launch, more than 45 partners have signed up and trialled the radio network, which is monitored

by West Midlands Police and the Police camera control room. It is the first time a digital network has been put in place for this purpose.

Within the first hour of its trial period, City Safe identified a travelling criminal in possession of £6,000 of stolen goods.

The City Safe steering group will lead on its direction and is made up of managers

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Designs revealed for Curzon Street landmark station This is a unique store, with many new and exciting elements, and we want to ensure that we have the best possible in-store experience for our customers when our doors open.

“The new Primark Birmingham store will have the latest trends in women’s, men’s and children’s fashions including footwear, accessories as well as lingerie, beauty and homeware.

“In addition to amazing fashion at amazing prices, this store will also have many new features including Primark’s largest ever beauty studio for nails, makeup, hair, eyebrows and lashes; a barbers and three different dining experiences.

The store will also have a personalisation service; recharge seating area and free WiFi. Other surprises will be revealed on opening day.”

Above: Building work on the vast site and, inset, an architect’s impression of how it will look when complete

Designs for the new city centre HS2 station have been revealed.

Curzon Street will serve the new high-speed route due to be built between London and Birmingham.

HS2 is the £55.7 billion planned high-speed rail network initially running between London and Birmingham by 2026, before a second phase expands it to Manchester and Leeds.

Curzon Street will be the first brand new intercity station built in Britain since the 19th century, and create a new landmark for the city and boost opportunities for regeneration in the city. It will connect travellers to the core retail area and the Moor Street entrance to the new Primark Pavilions.

Opening with seven high-speed platforms in 2026, the new station will not only be for high speed rail passengers, it will be fully integrated into an extended tram network, as well as offering pedestrian, cycle,

taxi, bus and conventional rail connections to the rest of the city and the wider West Midlands.

The Grade I-listed original Curzon Street station will become a visitor centre and offices.

Plans have also been unveiled for Interchange Station near Solihull which will be part of a public transport interchange serving Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre.

Curzon Street is due to open with seven high-speed platforms in 2026.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said the new stations will be “catalysts for regeneration” and will create jobs in the region.

“Curzon Street station will put Birmingham at the heart of Britain’s new high-speed network and enhance the rail connectivity for the city, whilst Interchange provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help drive the growth of the region,” he added.

Capturing Brand Brum

Mailbox welcomes independents Clothing brands and family-run restaurant join premium destination

Mailbox – Birmingham’s premium shopping, dining and lifestyle destination – has welcomed two new independent stores, English Brands and Burrows & Hare, and family-run Italian restaurant, Pinocchio.

At English Brands, shoppers can expect to find a range of the finest handmade leather shoes and boots, alongside popular, quality and high-end men’s fashion brands including Sanders, Loake, Gaziano & Girling, Cheaney and John White.

Burrows & Hare is an independent family-run business that presents Mailbox customers with the best in men’s fashion, lifestyle and grooming, for a new generation of discerning gentleman.

Winner of the Best New Retailer category in the Drapers Independent Awards 2018,

Burrows & Hare brings impressive brands such as Sunspel, Oliver Spencer and A.B.C.L to Mailbox, supporting the store’s philosophy that through classic styling, quality materials and meticulous finishing, each stocked product becomes timeless, making it a modern classic.

David Pardoe, head of marketing, retail and tenant engagement at the Mailbox, said: “We’re delighted to welcome English Brands and Burrows & Hare to the Mailbox.

Their high quality products perfectly complement our existing mix of highend fashion retailers; consolidating our reputation as the city’s leading destination for menswear and lifestyle pieces.”

The latest food offering to launch at Mailbox, Pinocchio, has taken residence amongst the popular canal side restaurants

SEE THE WINNING PICTURES IN PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION BACKED BY BID

BULLRING CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS: PAGE 24

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The Mailbox at night

BRING ON THE GAMES BIRMINGHAM NAMED AS UK CANDIDATE TO HOST COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2022

10 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

Ruskin Mill Land Trust book commission | Summer 2018 276 PAGES HARD-BACK COVERS 2,000 COPIES ON SALE IN THE UK AND GLOBALLY Birmingham-based Edwin Ellis Creative Media has produced a hard-back coffee table-style book for a nationwide arts and education organisation.

The 290-page glossy book, called ‘experience COLOUR’, looks at how light and colour has influenced scientific and artistic thinking over the centuries.

The book was produced for the Ruskin Mill Land Trust, the sister organisation to the Ruskin Mill Trust, an Independent Specialist Provider offering a range of course subjects to learners with complex needs.

In addition to online availability, the book will be sold at the experience COLOUR exhibition, at the Glasshouse Arts Centre in Stourbridge (until October 14). The exhibition invites visitors of all ages and abilities to explore the fascinating science and art of colour through large-scale installations, displays and experiments.

Following on from a successful European tour, Glasshouse Arts Centre is the first UK venue to show the exhibition.

Edwin Ellis Creative Media was launched by former Birmingham Post editor Stacey Barnfield and its PR clients include The Simplyhealth Great Birmingham Run, the Vélo South cycle event, Colmore BID, Solihull BID, Lightbox Digital and Associated Architects.

The agency also publishes a quarterly magazine for Retail BID and manages content for Colmore Life magazine. experience COLOUR is Edwin Ellis’s largest single publishing commission since the agency was founded in the summer of 2015.

Edwin Ellis Director, Stacey Barnfield, said: “experience COLOUR was a fascinating project to work on and we’re thrilled with the result.

“Producing a book that features the work of Turner and Rothko and pages of colourful scientific experiments required a simple, consistent design theme and typographic style that ensures the stunning works of art become the focal point.

“We hope this is the first of many books, catalogues or brochures we publish for arts and education organisations across the UK.” Dr Troy Vine, Editor of experience COLOUR, said: “As editor of this book containing articles by more than 20 authors it has been a tremendous help to have the solid support and professionalism of Stacey.

“On top of that, the layout is exquisite

EDWIN ELLIS WORKS WITH EUROPEAN ACADEMICS ON HARD-BACK ARTS BOOK ‘The layout is exquisite and the quality of the printing and binding greatly exceeded my expectation’

experience COLOUR An Exhibition by Nora Löbe & Matthias Rang

experience COLOUR

Edited by Troy Vine

1

and the quality of the printing and binding greatly exceeded my expectation. Everyone who has bought a copy has commented on its quality and great first impression.”

Find out more about experience COLOUR at https://www.rmlt.org.uk/about-experiencecolour Find out more about Edwin Ellis Creative Media at https://www.edwinelliscreativemedia.com/

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Colmore BID press release | November 2018 PRESS COVERAGE: BusinessDesk WM Birmingham Post print Birmingham Post online BirminghamLive Midlands Business News Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

COLMORE BID SECURES FIVE-YEAR TERM AFTER BUSINESSES BACK RENEWAL Colmore BID has secured a new five-year term representing Birmingham’s Business District following a successful renewal ballot of its members.

The confidential postal ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Services closed on November 20, 2018. For a BID ballot to be successful, the majority of those who voted must have voted in favour of the BID, both in terms of number and rateable value.

A total of 96% businesses voted in favour of the Colmore BID continuing, with 98% in favour by rateable value. The turnout was 64%, the highest turnout for a BID renewal ballot in the country for 2018.

The result of the vote was confirmed by Robert Connelly, Head of Electoral Services at Birmingham City Council.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is where local businesses in a defined geographic area vote to invest together in additional projects and services to improve their business environment. There are now over 300 BIDs in towns and cities across the UK, with 12 of these in Birmingham. Colmore BID’s new term will begin on 1 April, 2019.

Colmore Business District is considered the commercial heart of Birmingham with over 35,000 employees and five million square feet of office space.

Colmore BID Executive Director, Michele Wilby, said: “We are delighted to have been voted in for our third term and we are looking forward to delivering our ambitious plans for BID 3. A third term will see over £6 million being invested over five years into Birmingham city centre. A third term allows us to continue to deliver on our transformational public realm programme around Snow Hill station and the surrounding areas and we

will bolster our on-street presence to provide more support to businesses and partners in relation to security and street scene issues.

“In addition to the aims set out in our Business Plan, we will continue to explore innovative ways to ensure that Colmore Business District continues to be a key UK business hub.”

Gary Cardin, Chair of Colmore Business District, said: “I am delighted that local businesses have voted yes for Colmore BID’s third term.

“The next five years will be pivotal for the city and Colmore BID is looking forward to working with partners to ensure that Colmore Business District continues to be the place to do business in Birmingham.

“Over the last ten years, Colmore BID has delivered public realm projects, award-winning events and cultural activities, all whilst working to keep the quality of the experience of those who work and visit the District to a high standard.

“We will improve and expand on the work that we currently do, as well as bringing new, ambitious projects to the area. We would like to thank local businesses for their support, and we look forward to working with them through the next five years.”

The Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “I congratulate the BID on its successful renewal ballot and look forward to a close partnership between the City Council and Colmore BID for the strategic success of the city centre.

“There are many exciting developments and opportunities in Birmingham and Colmore BID is integral in helping to maximise these for the benefit of the commercial heart of the city centre.”

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Colmore BID / Colmore Life magazine | Ongoing FEATURES, INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

COLMORE LIFE MAGAZINE GUEST JOURNALIST

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Solihull BID press release | November 2018 PRESS COVERAGE: Solihull News Solihull Observer Solihull Updates Birmingham Post BirminghamLive Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS REVEALED Outstanding employees and innovative companies were given their moment in the spotlight at the annual Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2018.

Hundreds of people attended the red-carpet awards ceremony on Thursday, November 22, at the St Johns Hotel on Warwick Road. The event was sponsored by Touchwood, Solihull College & University Centre, Phoebus Software and BNP Paribas.

The Excellence Awards shine a light on the enthusiastic Solihull town centre trainees and forward-thinking businesses leading innovation and customer service in a variety of sectors including retail, leisure, professional services, banking, technology and charity.

Winners celebrated in style as they were announced by ITV News Central newsreader Sameena Ali-Khan. The event was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Stuart Davis, the Leader of Solihull Borough Council, Cllr Bob Sleigh, and Chief Executive of Solihull Council, Nick Page. The awards featured a rousing performance from Sing Solihull, the town centre business community’s very own choir.

This year’s awards featured eight categories: Best Customer Service, Outstanding Team, Innovation & Enterprise, Best Hospitality & Leisure, Best Corporate Social Responsibility Project, Best Apprentice, Best Trainee and Best Independent.

Winners of the coveted Outstanding Team category were Warwick Road solicitors Thursfields, while fashion retailer New Look won the Customer Service category.

The Innovation & Enterprise award went to Lansdowne Gate-based Phoebus Software.

Station Road pub The White Swan took the Hospitality & Leisure category.

Specsavers’ 25 in 25 project, which has been supporting 25 local grass-roots projects throughout 2018, was winner in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Project and town centre newcomer Tap and Tandoor won Best Independent.

Finally, one of the highlights of the Excellence Awards is to recognise the talented trainees and apprentices making waves in the town centre business community. This year’s winner of Best Apprentice was Taylor Mullins of BNP Paribas, while Kiran Kaur of Specsavers was recognised as Best Trainee.

Solihull Business Improvement District (BID) organises the Excellence Awards. Director, Melanie Palmer, said: “The Excellence Awards continue to go from strength to strength and have become an annual celebration and showcase for the breadth of talent and innovation in Solihull town centre.

“We have an unrivalled two square miles of success in the town centre and these awards provide the perfect opportunity to show the rest of the region why Solihull is simply the best.”

Click here to read the full list of 2018 Excellence Awards winners

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Lightbox Digital press release | August 2018 PRESS COVERAGE: Birmingham Post print Birmingham Post online BusinessDesk WM Insider Media Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

DIGITAL SPECIALISTS LIGHTBOX AND BLAKE7 ANNOUNCE MERGER Fast-growing Birmingham agency Lightbox has merged with city digital company Blake7.

Lightbox was founded by digital entrepreneur Rob Pollard in 2005 and was crowned small business of the year at the Birmingham Awards in 2017.

Social media specialist Blake7 was founded in 2017 by well-known Birmingham businessman PJ Ellis, who also co-founded the LoveBrum charity, helping to raise substantial amounts for local good causes.

The two agencies have merged to help take advantage of the skills and services provided by both, at a time of increased demand for digital support in the region, particularly in website design and build, SEO and social media.

Rob Pollard remains as CEO of the new outfit, while PJ Ellis takes on the role of Commercial Director and joins the Board of Directors. The company will continue to be called Lightbox Digital and work from John Bright Street in the city centre.

Lightbox has experienced exceptional growth in recent years and the merger takes the company’s staff number to 16.

Turnover has tripled from £180,000 three years ago to a projected £825,000 for 2017/18.

The agency recently unveiled a new visual identity with a supporting tagline that reads ‘Making Digital Human’. The new image and brand reinforces the Lightbox mission to cut through tech jargon and place people first.

The company’s footprint and brand association is Birmingham; working with city companies and organisations such as Rightio, Elta Group, Clearabee, Associated Architects, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Wesleyan, University of Birmingham School and Speller Metcalfe.

Birmingham-based Skirting Boards Direct has reported a 126% increase in online sales

since Lightbox launched its new ecommerce website.

Among the Blake7 clients who will now work with Lightbox are Birmingham Law Society, Centrick Property, Professional Polishing Services and South and City College.

Rob Pollard said: “We have invested in Birmingham and we’re excited to call it our home. We have committed to being in the heart of the city, and this merger is a further example this commitment.

“The Lightbox growth strategy has seen an investment in staff to deliver trust and professionalism to our partners, while helping to nurture our up-and-coming talent.

“Experience came with the appointment of Anthony Bisseker, who joined Lightbox as Relationship Director after spells with organisations such as the CBSO and Marketing Birmingham.

“Despite an incredible period of success, we will never stand still, and continue to invest in our systems, software and people to ensure Lightbox remains relevant and robust for the future.”

PJ Ellis added: “Rob and I have been speaking for some time about our growing businesses and how our own skill-sets, and those of our teams, could complement each other.

“We concluded there was no point competing with one another and by merging we could combine the skills, services and contacts provided by Blake7 and Lightbox for the benefit of all our clients.

“These are truly exciting times in the West Midlands with the arrival of new businesses, infrastructure and creative people launching new companies. We want to be right at the heart of this and have ambitious growth plans to meet this demand.”

65 Advertising feature

BIRMINGHAM POST THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2018

Advertisement Feature

Asktheexperts

If you have a question contact Tony Williams on 0121 234 5262 or send it to tony.williams@trinitymirror.com

Work smarter to evolve your business

Q A

As sole owner and director of the company I formed ten years ago, I still find myself involved in every aspect of the business.

Now at £2 million turnover and 20 employees, I have taken growth for granted but our market has toughened and hit profitability. What advice can you give me?

CONGRATULATIONS on building a successful business.

Challenges are inevitable, but you are not alone in hitting this wall.

As your market matures and evolves, your business needs to mature and evolve too. When the going is good, life seems plain sailing, but when the challenges do come along, it can be lonely at the top!

Working smarter is key.

Time, energy and money, can be wasted pursuing the

Expert: Kevin Hodgetts Title: Partner, Haines Watts, Birmingham Email: khodgetts@hwca.com Base: Sterling House, 71 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8SP Contact: 0121 456 1613

wrong pathways.

To avoid this, free up enough time for strategic thinking: fully understand your market, products, services, customers, suppliers, your people and the competition.

Assess where you are now and define where you want to be – then get there.

Success comes from getting ahead of your competitors.

Several areas drive the value of your business. Key questions can be asked in each. One area is ‘dependency’: is your business too dependent on too few customers or suppliers; on too few products or services – or on you, the owner, for the day-to-day running?

Over-dependency increases risk of failure and reduces value.

Another is ‘performance sustainability’: do your

products and services have life left in them? Is your management team and workforce in shape – your plant and equipment too?

Of course, there are many more questions to ask but an honest, holistic assessment of where you are now versus where you want to be will enable you to put in place an achievable plan, focussed on areas needing improvement, helping you reach a better state and driving up the resilience and value of your business.

Kevin Hodgetts is a partner at the Birmingham office of Haines Watts, a national firm of accountants and leading advisor to owner managed businesses.

Rival digital agencies eye growth in merger Tamlyn Jones Business Correspondent

T

WO creative agencies in Birmingham have undergone a merger deal.

Digital agency Lightbox has teamed up with social media specialist Blake7 in an undisclosed deal.

The two agencies have merged to help take advantage of the skills and services provided by both, particularly in website design, search engine optimisation (SEO) and social media.

Rob Pollard, who founded Lightbox in 2005, will remain on as chief executive of the newly combined outfit while PJ Ellis, who launched Blake7 last year, has become commercial director.

The company will continue to be called Lightbox and the new 16-strong team will work from its current city centre offices in John Bright Street.

Turnover has tripled from £180,000 three years ago to a projected £825,000 for 2018/19 and its roster of clients includes Associated Architects, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Wesleyan and University of Birmingham School.

Blake7 will bring clients such as Birmingham Law Society and South and City College to the group.

Mr Pollard said: “We have invested in Birmingham and

Changing image of infrastructure

Disruption comes in many guises There is greater potential than ever for new technology to disrupt established industries. As such, investors have increased their focus on companies’ ‘disruptive’ abilities when considering investment opportunities. Disruption is not new; as far back as the industrial revolution, inventions such as the ‘spinning jenny’ > Mike Divers (textiles) revolutionised industries and changed theperceptions way manufacturing TRADITIONAL of infrastructurewas done.

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One can accord. be Technology done is by searching for themes, is driving improvements in for example, the ageing of the population. building roads, for example through ‘all in one’In that significantly reduce theconstant time asolutions world with 24-hour news and and cost of construction. social media, it is important to try to take Highways England have announced plans to ainvest step £1.5 back frominthe ‘noise’ and maintain billion smart motorways, and we focus some of these long-term trends. expecton that the companies developing this technology benefit significantly.

The rate should of change of disruption is The advantages of technology can also be often overestimated in the short term, seen through comparisons. butLet’s underestimated the long term. In consider HS2, theinproposed railway linkingarticles, London, Birmingham, Leeds into and some these I will dig deeper Manchester.themes that are underlying the long-term The government’s £56 billion project, global economy: intended for delivery in 2032-33, is expected reduce the 210-mile journey time to 1hr tor UFDIOPMPHZ 24m. r IFBMUIDBSF However, Tesla’s Hyperloop technology could r SPCPUJDT make a journey from London to Edinin under 30 minutes. A thought to burgh r JOGSBTUSVDUVSF ponder? r BMUFSOBUJWF FOFSHZ Mike Divers Many industriesSenior are being challenged by Investment Director Head of Leamington Spa Office the digital world.

These core themes look beyond the short-term market ‘noise’, Brooks Macdonald is a trading name of Brooks revealing longer term investment Macdonald Group plc used by variousideas and opportunities. companies in the Brooks Macdonald group of companies. Brooks Macdonald Asset

MikeManagement Divers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Senior Investment Director More of details are set out inSpa our website Head Leamington Officeat www. brooksmacdonald.com. The information in this www.brooksmacdonald.com/offices/ article does not constitute advice or a leamington-spa recommendation and you should not make any investment decisions on the basis of it.

> Commercial director PJ Ellis (left) with founder and chief executive Rob Pollard of Lightbox

we’re excited to call it our home.

“We have committed to being in the heart of the city and this merger is a further example this commitment. Despite an incredible period of success, we will never stand still and continue to invest in our systems, software and people to ensure Lightbox remains relevant and robust for the future.”

Mr Ellis added: “Rob and I have been speaking for some time about our growing businesses and how our own skillsets, and those of our teams, could complement each other.

“We concluded there was no point competing with one another and by merging we could combine the skills, services and contacts provided by

Blake7 and Lightbox for the benefit of all our clients.

“These are truly exciting times in the West Midlands with the arrival of new businesses, infrastructure and creative people launching new companies.

“We want to be right at the heart of this and have ambitious growth plans to meet this demand.”

Brooks Macdonald is a trading name of Brooks Macdonald Group plc used by various companies in the Brooks Macdonald group of companies.

Brooks Macdonald Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. More details are set out in our website at www.brooksmacdonald.com. The information in this article does not constitute advice or a recommendation and you should not make any investment decisions on the basis of it.

20 EDWIN ELLIS CREATIVE MEDIA CLIENT NEWS WINTER 2018

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