InSolihull Magazine (Feb - April 2020)

Spring

FEB –APR 2020

LIFE & STYLE FROM THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK IN ENGLAND

SOLIHULL BID SECURES NEW FIVE-YEAR TERM

An exciting programme of projects and events can now be confirmed.

SOLIHULL BUSINESS EXPO

The town’s biggest celebration of business will be back even bigger and better this March.

GYM TIPS

Top tips to help you get back into the gym mindset.

WHAT'S ON

Exciting events and entertainment for all.

CHAT T Y C A FÉ

Bringing people to gether through t he nation al Chatty C afé schem e.

INSTYLE

At last, 2020 has finally arrived! A new decade to inspire us all to do great things and make changes where needed.

Seems like a good place to start!

For Your Valentine

8-9

The Desirables

Take a look at SS20 style.

The new season's trends for men.

Choose that perfect gift this February.

The town’s best picks this season.

INFOCUS 10-11 Independent Focus

4-5

13

Wishes & Kisses.

Jamaya Competition

Win a £100 Voucher.

14

Jon Butterworth

My business life, CEO National Grid Ventures.

INBUSINESS 15 SOTI

Global platforms and connected communities.

16-17 Solihull BID Secures New 5 Year Term

An exciting programme of projects and events.

18

Business Briefs

Solihull's future plans and other stories.

INPLAY

16-17

19

Chatty Café Scheme

Bringing people together.

20-21 Excellence Awards Overview

Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2019 winners.

22-23 New Openings

Exciting new openings in Solihull.

24-25 Gym Tips

We hope you enjoy this first edition of 2020 and don’t forget to get in touch with your own stories and suggestions. See you in the summer!

For more information on shopping, entertainment and what’s on in Solihull visit: www.solihullbid.co.uk or call: 0121 285 1370

7

Our business plan can be seen at solihullbid.co.uk.

I am looking forward to growing our projects and focusing on keeping our town centre alive and thriving, and also continuing to strengthen our focus on making Solihull a safer place to visit, shop and work within.

Melanie Palmer Chief Executive melanie@solihullbid.co.uk

Men's Style

Aldi also opened their doors in November 2019 providing a comprehensive food and drink retail offer alongside our other town centre supermarkets. Kevin the Carrot assisted the launch and was certainly one of my grandson’s favourites.

Mel.

6

Solihull is continuing to buck the national trend with lots of new openings this year including the Taste Collective in Mell Square which will provide a welcome addition to our ever-growing diverse hospitality offer, and anything with cocktails must be good!

In October 2019 Solihull BID went through a renewal ballot to secure another five-year tenure for Solihull. We were delighted with the result of a 90% yes vote giving us a clear mandate from our businesses that they want us to stay and carry on our good work.

Women's Fashion

I am taking inspiration for my New Year’s resolutions from the enclosed interview with one of our amazing Solihull business leaders, Jon Butterworth at National Grid.

“Be honest with yourself. Never stop learning.

Be kinder in younger life. Forgive more freely.

Pick your battles. Take less credit for yourself and give more to others. Try to catch people doing good, not bad. Leave a legacy that leaves others better off. Stand up and be counted.”

4-5

Top tips to help you get back into the gym mindset.

26-27 Easter Inspiration

Keep the family entertained over the Easter break.

28-29 Solihull Business Expo

28-29

Showcasing Solihull's business community.

30

What’s On

Dates for your diary Feb - Apr 2020.

Editor in Chief Amy Hubbard amy@solihullbid.co.uk

Design Wider info@wider.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Steven Coney steven@solihullbid.co.uk

Advertising Enquiries Amy Hubbard amy@solihullbid.co.uk

Newshound Misty

3

INSTYLE Sunglasses, £17.99, H&M.

Hat, £17.99, Zara.

SS20

Jumper, £17.99, H&M.

Shirt dress, £29.99, H&M.

Bag, £19.99, H&M.

Skirt, £27.99, New Look.

Hair Slides, £12.99, Zara.

Boots, £75, Next.

Belt, £15.99, Zara.

Trousers, £59.95, White Stuff.

Jeans, £49.50, Fat Face.

Jumper, £55, White Stuff.

Bag, £22.50, M&S. Trainers, £25.99, Zara.

Roll neck, £75, Shirt, £159, Coat, £249, Shorts, £69, Tote, £129, All Hobbs, John Lewis & Partners.

Coat, £99.99, Zara.

Shirt, £49.95, T-Shirt, £25, Jeans, £49.95, Scarf, £25, All White Stuff.

Boots, £89.99, Zara.

Jumper, £39.99, H&M.

Blazer, £49.99, Zara.

Dune Sunglasses, £30, House of Fraser.

Hobbs Coat, £219, John Lewis.

Necklace, £8, Accessorize.

Ring, £15, Accessorize.

Dress, £42, Bag, £22, All Dorothy Perkins.

Skirt, £22.99, New Look.

Dress, £42, Roman.

Sandals, £59.95, White Stuff.

Sandals, £25.99, New Look.

Dress, £45, Next.

Headband, £9.99, H&M.

Dune Shoes, £95, House of Fraser.

Per Una Top, £35, Per Una Jeans, £29.50, Shoes, £65, All M&S.

Bag, £35, M&S.

5

INSTYLE

Sunglasses, £16, River Island.

Chinos, £19.50, M&S.

MENS

STYLE Coat, £59.99, Zara.

Polo top, £25, Burton.

Scarf, £19.99, Zara.

Jacket, £75, Trousers, £35, Both Burton.

Trainer, £45, River Island.

Jacket, £65, Tee, £19.95, Chinos, £45, All White Stuff.

Jeans, £49.99, Zara.

Shirt, £25, Jeans, £35, Both Burton.

Hat, £15.99, Zara.

Jumper, £39.95, White Stuff.

Jacket, £55, Burton.

Dune Boots, £115, House of Fraser or John Lewis.

Aftershave, £17.99, Zara.

Love pug, £8, Sainsburys.

Scarlet kisses gift box, £34, Fleur-De-Lis.

Sweets, £19.99, TK Maxx.

for your

Shoes, £90, Next.

VALENTINE

Gents 9CT gold two tone 6mm fancy court wedding band, £400, Goldsmiths.

February is here and that can only mean one thing – Valentine’s Day is upon us.

Whether you love it or loathe it, the day of celebrating all that is romantic is here to stay!

Choosing a gift is never easy so we’ve put together a range of products, from more traditional items to those more unique pieces, to give you some ideas to treat your partner.

Bra, £14.99, New Look.

For the ladies out there, remember that 2020 is a leap year! Whilst social norms have changed drastically when it comes to the modern-day relationship, the old tradition of women proposing on February 29th is surely still observed by some.

Rattan egg bench 2 seat, £300, Argos.

Ingersoll muse automatic men's watch, £440, Beaverbrooks.

Said to originate from Irish folklore, it’s the one day every four years that encourages women to get down on one knee and pop the question to their other half.

With this in mind, we’ve selected one of our favourite men’s engagement rings. However if you’re on a tighter budget or simply want to be a bit cheeky, Poundland are selling ‘stand-by engagement rings’ for just a quid.

Elevated heart stud earrings, £55, Pandora.

But just remember, you can’t put a price on love!

Pillow, £16, Next.

Mug, £8, Paperchase.

Diffuser, £10, Dunelm.

Bath salts, £4.99, TK Maxx.

Ted Baker backpack, £159, John Lewis & Partners.

7

INSTYLE B U Y E R ' S G U I DE

Desirables the

1

Put a spring in your step with this fabulous range of treats; there's something for everyone available in Solihull stores!

Sweet Sound

Magic like you’ve never heard it before. Be amazed with the ability of the Airpods Pro showcasing immersive sound through their noise counselling function. Transparency mode allows you to hear surround sounds and with their customable fit, they are perfect for all day use. As with any other Apple product, they connect directly to your iPhone or iWatch and can be used instantly.

Airpods Pro, £249. Apple, Touchwood, Crescent Arcade, Solihull, B91 3GJ, 0121 224 1300.

2

3

Are you heading off to a winter wonderland, to glide from one cosy chalet to the next lively alpine bar, taking in the views before you snowplough home? You’ll be fit for the winter Olympics with these ski goggles, sporting a vibrant blue and green lens, they boast UV 400nm protection and ventilation to ensure you have clear vision.

Zion adults’ DLX ski goggles, £99.99.

Trespass, 47 – 49 Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3AT. 0121 709 4470.

Flipping Excited

Shrove Tuesday, for many, is an excuse to eat as many of our favourite sweet treats in one day as possible. Has it come around sooner than you expected?

Don’t flip out, Le Creuset have you covered with their iron crêpe pan, the perfect piece of equipment for pancakes that brown evenly and release from the pan effortlessly. How many pancakes can you eat in one day?

27cm cast iron crêpe pan cerise, £115.

Le Creuset, 51 Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3AT. 0121 709 2302.

Take to the Slopes

YUMMY!

4

Super Clean

We hear people talk about the future being taken over by robots, could this be the start? The iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner is an ultra-efficient and effective way of cleaning. At just the push of a button it will navigate its way around your home, keeping a track of its location and recharging as needed until its spic and span. iRobot Roomba 980 robot vacuum cleaner, black/brown, £649.99.

John Lewis and Partners, Touchwood, Solihull B91 3RA. 0121 704 1121.

5

Chocolate Heaven

Mother’s Day falls on the 22nd March this year and nothing says ‘I love you mum, and thanks for putting up with me!’, like a box of chocolates and some fizz, right? Dark fruit and nut, salted caramel, truffles and fizz, what more could you want from a gift box.

The chocolate & fizz collection, £27.50. Hotel Chocolat, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3GS. 0121 704 9714.

HIGH-TECH!

8

Pooch Paradise

We love our dogs more than anything, so why not treat them to a bit of luxury with a new bed? This super soft and snug bed is the perfect resting spot for our fur babies after a long walk. With a robust, removable and machine washable cover, this really is the perfect place for your dog to snuggle.

Pet grey sofa bed – large, £49.99. Argos, in Sainsburys, Poplar Way, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3BX. 0345 266 7904.

6

Fresh Outlook

The first few months of the year can often be the toughest – the excitement of the festive season is over and it’s still dark and cold.

Refresh and awaken your eye area with The Body Shop’s innovative eye concentrate. The unique applicator instantly replenishes and smooths the appearance of lines, bags and fatigue.

Drops of youth™ eye concentrate, £20. The Body Shop, 4 Mill Lane, Solihull, B91 3SR. 0121 704 4732.

9

Outdoor Living

As the nights get lighter, we tend to start using our gardens more and who can blame us? Why not enhance your outdoor space with this sleek dining table and bench, perfect for those family gatherings and BBQs as the warmer weather approaches. Enjoy summer together with your loved ones.

Jackson dining table, £299, Jackson dining bench, £159.

Dunelm, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3BG. 0121 272 5797.

SNA Z Z

7

Home Inspiration

Y!

10

Wheel-y Good

If you have a little one, this balance bike is the perfect next step to helping them progress onto riding a bike. As it doesn’t have any pedals, they only have one thing to focus on, which is their balance.

This makes the whole learning process a lot easier for them and boosts their confidence along the way.

Janod bikloon red/white balance bike, £84.99. Minimini Kids, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3AT.

All of these products can be found in Solihull stores or online.

New year is a time to think about making changes so why not start with your home? Sometimes just an accessory or a slight change can completely transform the atmosphere. Brighten up one of your rooms ready for spring with this modern diamond pattern rug. Step into spring now.

SIA rug, £75. Next, Touchwood, Crescent Arcade, Solihull, B91 3GZ. 0333 005 5359.

9

SHOP INDEPENDENT

Wishes & Kisses Finding that perfect gift for a special occasion can often prove to be a difficult task.

What do you possibly buy that shows your loved one what they mean to you?

Fortunately for shoppers in Solihull, independent card and gift retailer Wishes and Kisses became another addition to a town centre known for its eclectic retail offering including big international brands and specialist, independent shops.

Their store on Mill Lane in Mell Square has already become a firm favourite with visitors to the town centre since their grand opening in September and it’s not hard to see why.

Whatever the occasion, Wishes and Kisses have something for you.

Whether you’re after something sparkly, something out of the ordinary or just some luxury gift wrap to set your present off, they’ll be able to help you out.

With retail facing some undoubtedly challenging times, what is the secret behind Wishes & Kisses’ success and why exactly did they decide to open up their second store here in Solihull?

Steven, our Digital Communications Lead, spoke to owners Liz and Allan Ward to find out.

We provide beautiful and unusual gifts, cards and gift wrap all in a single destination.

Steven: For those that aren’t already aware, could you tell us a bit about Wishes and Kisses and what you offer?

Wishes and Kisses: Wishes and Kisses are an independent card and gift retailer stocking a beautiful range of special gift ideas for all of life’s occasions. Be it a birthday, wedding, anniversary, new home or graduation – we provide beautiful and unusual gifts, cards and gift wrap all in a single destination.

And we’re happy to advise and suggest ideas if you are stuck for inspiration.

S: Your store on Mill Lane, Mell Square isn’t your first – how long has the business been trading and how have you got on so far?

Wishes and Kisses: The business opened its first shop in 2014 in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield and has steadily grown with an ever expanding following of loyal customers. The positive feedback we received there encouraged us to look for a second outlet so, always up for a challenge, we spent two years searching for a suitable location in the Midlands.

S: Your search for a suitable location saw you choose Solihull.

What was it about Solihull that attracted you to the town centre?

Wishes and Kisses: Though many districts have shop space available, the combination of high footfall and a well-known shopping

destination made us return repeatedly to Solihull. Added to that is the support given by Solihull BID and the Mell Square management teams who all help increase the much-needed exposure when opening a new retail offer on the High Street.

S: You mentioned that you received plenty of positive feedback from your customers in Boldmere, what has the reaction been like in Solihull so far?

Wishes and Kisses: Happily, since we opened in September, the response from the people of Solihull has been incredible. The many wonderful, positive comments we’ve received from customers has convinced us we made the right choice. We have already built up a small following of ‘regulars’ who come to their ’new favourite shop’!

Visit Wishes and Kisses at 26 – 28 Mill Lane, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3BA

S: Tricky trading conditions and the rise of the internet haven’t put you off opening another shop.

What has been your secret?

Wishes and Kisses: Interestingly, we receive many comments about how glad people are that they can buy from an independent retailer. The much-reported demise of the High Street is real but we have found shoppers are happy to search for an experience when shopping – a personal touch, a good shopping atmosphere and supportive product knowledge – something the internet lacks.

11

DATES FOR THE DIARY SOLIHULL TOWN CENTRE EVENTS

SOLIHULL BUSINESS EXPO

BID BUSINESS CLUB

27 Feb, 30 April, 25 June, 17 Sep & 26 Nov Join us for networking and nibbles, keep an eye on our website for details and how to register.

SOLIHULL SPRING FAYRE

18 March

Our Business Expo is back, with workshops, exhibitors and much more. Visit www.solihullbid.co.uk to book your free place now.

VE DAY

9 May Come and join the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

3 - 5 April Enjoy a variety of tastes from around the globe and a chance to spruce up your garden.

SOLIHULL ‘SORT OF’ JAZZ FESTIVAL

SOLIHULL STREET CIRCUS

17 - 19 July Tasty food, jazzy beats and great fun. Keep an eye on the Solihull BID website for full details and line up.

22 August Solihull is filled with an amazing line up of live performers, often seen at Glastonbury or in Covent Garden.

SOLIHULL’S HALLOWEEN HULLABALOO

SOLIHULL FOOD FESTIVAL 25 - 27 Setptember

Our largest event, mouthwatering treats, live demonstrations, family entertainment, live music and a voucher booklet to take home.

31 October Don your fancy dress and join us for a fun filled day of trick and treats.

SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE AWARDS 20 November A celebration of Solihull town centre’s business community.

Applications open on the 1 June and close on 1 September.

WWW.SOLIHULLBID.CO.UK 0121 285 1370 @SolihullBID #SOLBID

SOLIHULL’S FESTIVE FEAST

18 - 22 December Take a break from Chirstmas shopping, indulge in festive flavours and grab some family favourites.

Competition Time

WIN A £100 VOUCHER FOR JAMAYA It’s a brand-new year and with that comes a shiny new competition! This season we have joined up with Solihull’s own JAMAYA to give you the chance to win a voucher worth £100 to be spent on Food and Drinks at JAMAYA!

Jerk Chicken (1/2): Proper chargrilled jerk chicken. Marinated, grilled on the jerk pan and covered with a special jerk baste with a flavour of your choice: Mild, BBQ, Hot.

JAMAYA is a multi-award-winning Jamaican jerk chicken & Jamaican fried chicken restaurant in the heart of Solihull.

What’s really hot about JAMAYA is their jerk-tastic marination process. From sourcing the finest, freshest chicken to leaving you licking your fingers after every fiery mouthful, they’ve dedicated themselves to bringing back “real Jerk” to the UK. Whether you’re a connoisseur of the Jam Rock, or a jerkchicken-novice: there’s something for everyone at JAMAYA. Join them as they celebrate the authentic taste of home over chargrilled jerk chicken and Jamaican fried chicken, Marley’s beats, and decor as vibrant as the colours on the Jamaican flag.

Jamaican Fried Wings: Soaked in buttermilk and coated in our own-recipe Jamaican jerk spices mix.

HOW TO ENTER To enter this competition, all you need to do is visit the Solihull BID website and fill out the competition form on the InSolihull page answering the following question correctly. –

What type of food does JAMAYA serve?

Kingston Roar: Two fillets of fried chicken with jamayo, cheese, lettuce and 2 fried chicken strips.

Jamaya, Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, B91 3QW | 0121 716 1944 | www.jamaya.co.uk | @JamayaUK Competition Rules: Competition opens on 1st February 2020 and closes on the 30th April 2020. One person will win the £100 voucher. Only one entry will be counted per person. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash value. You must answer the questions correctly to win. The competition entry form can be found at www.solihullbid.co.uk/insolihull. The winner will be contacted in the first week of May 2020.

13

INFOCUS

My business life…

Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Grid Ventures What does your day-to-day role involve?

“I have the best job in the world! My teams work in city centres, on mountain tops, and under the sea, building and operating billions of pounds worth of infrastructure to make sure we have the clean, secure and affordable energy our society needs. My job is also about taking care of people closer to home, so it’s equally important for me to make sure we are good neighbours in the communities where we operate and that we are maintaining industryleading safety performance so that all our people go home safe to their families every day.”

What drives you every day?

“I want to know that when our children and future generations judge us, we’ll be thought of as the generation that did all it could to fix climate change. The tricky bit is that we need to deliver a cleaner energy system, but also keep the lights and make energy affordable for everyone. That’s why I’m so proud to be working for a company like National Grid, which is at the heart of the biggest change in our energy system since electrification over a century ago. The business I lead is building enormous undersea electricity

cables that will be able to import enough clean energy to power more than eight million homes in the UK. We’re also developing new world-leading projects to take carbon out of the energy system, while protecting manufacturing jobs and driving economic growth.

“But again, for me, it all comes back to people. As a leader of big teams of hardworking women and men, I feel an enormous responsibility for their well-being and want to inspire them to feel the same about their colleagues. I’m incredibly lucky to have worked in my industry for over 40 years, delivering some fantastic projects, but my best memories by far are about the people I’ve worked with.”

What does success mean to you?

“Completing our mission to deliver a clean energy system for future generations, with all those involved experiencing great personal growth.”

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your time in business?

“We never stop learning, and all humans are capable of greater achievements than they would

have ever imagined. But none of us can do it alone. It’s important for someone who is further along life’s journey to help steer us in the right direction and share their thoughts, particularly around things that can go wrong.

We all need support to get back up and learn from the knocks we suffer in life.”

Who inspires you?

“A young Afghan that my family has helped over the last 10 years. He was enslaved in Iran, beaten by gangs in Italy, and yet is the kindest and most generous person you will ever meet. It reminds me that great parenting produces kind, loving children.”

What would you tell your 18-year-old self?

“Be honest with yourself. Never stop learning. Be kinder in younger life. Forgive more freely. Pick your battles. Take less credit for yourself and give more to others. Try to catch people doing good, not bad. Leave a legacy that leaves others better off. Stand up and be counted.”

NEWS & DEVELOPMENTS FROM ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING COMMERCIAL REGIONS

SOTI: GLOBAL PLATFORMS AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES Canadian global software company SOTI is passionate about supporting the local communities of its regional offices. InSolihull magazine finds out more about its latest project; supporting St Alphege Church.

SOTI is not your usual, global tech company. Yes, it is a Canadianbased software company (Mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) management to be precise), with over 1,000 employees worldwide, but it has very distinctive values that separates it from other North American tech giants.

SOTI is one big family and although it is headquartered almost 3,500 miles away from Solihull, SOTI recognises that there are different cultures within this family that need to be respected and championed.

As with any office that SOTI sets up, and it has 11 regional offices worldwide, SOTI ensures it embeds itself in the local community. In Solihull, for instance, SOTI supports St Alphege Parish Church and St Basil’s by donating clothes and food to the local homeless population. SOTI recognises that it has a responsibility as a company, with a presence in Solihull, to give back to the local community, and this is something it is passionate about doing.

SOTI employs talented individuals from the local and surrounding areas, who have a shared passion for delivering great software solutions, and has an active presence in the local universities where it finds many of the future SOTI stars!

TECH THREE

SOTI is the world’s most trusted provider of mobile and IoT management solutions, with more than 17,000 enterprise customers and millions of devices managed worldwide.

SOTI’s innovative portfolio of solutions and services provide the tools organisations need to truly mobilise their operations.

Contigo is a leading supplier of Energy Trading and Risk management solutions that simplify energy trading and are used by businesses in the UK and across Europe.

Based in Radcliffe House, it uses the latest technology and a smart approach to deliver modern, flexible and easy to use software solutions for all points in the energy value chain, including generation, wholesale and retail trading.

For more information please visit: www.soti.net

In addition to global experts SOTI, Solihull town centre is a hot-bed of tech innovation. Here are three other businesses doing great things in software and business support.

CONTIGO

Visit: www.contigosoftware.com

CORE GAMING Working from Station Road, Core is a leading developer of HTML5 games specifically produced to give the best user experience possible on desktop and all of the most popular

mobile devices, operating systems and current browsers.

Utilising their vast industry knowledge and expertise in multiple platform integration and deployment, they have created an efficient, flexible and adaptable HTML5 framework designed to keep them at the forefront of gaming development technology for many years to come.

Visit: www.core-gaming. info/coregaming/home

REAPIT Reapit provides computer software and services for property sales and rentals.

With offices across the UK, Australia and here in Solihull at Blenheim Court, Reapit supplies agents from large multi-national companies to single-office independent agencies. It is the most flexible software package for property firms currently on the market.

Visit: www.reapit.com

15

SPECIAL REPORT

INBUSINESS

SOLIHULL BID SECURES NEW FIVE-YEAR TERM

An exciting programme of projects and events can now be confirmed after town centre businesses voted to renew Solihull BID for the next five years.

S

through a percentage levy on Business Rates.

A BID (Business Improvement District) is a defined area within which local businesses collaborate to invest in projects, services and initiatives to improve the environment in which they work. BIDs deliver additional services to those provided by the Borough Council and the West Midlands Police.

Business Hosts and Street Wardens to help provide a visible and reassuring welcome to the town centre.

It also provides many services across all sectors including the annual Solihull Food & Drink Festival, Solihull Jazz Festival, Solihull BID Excellence Awards, Christmas activities, Solihull BID Expo, BID Business Club, the dedicated Solihull website and InSolihull magazine to help raise the profile of the town centre to visitors and investors.

“With such a resounding ‘yes’ result we have a clear mandate from businesses across all sizes and sectors. We are looking forward to progressing into our third term with confident, exciting ambitions for Solihull’s future,” she said.

Solihull BID was created in 2010 to help support a thriving business community around the town centre.

The BID employs a team of

The renewal ballot is a process all BIDs must go through every five years to secure the support of the businesses they represent

The BID is governed by a voluntary Board that is made up of influential business leaders representing the diversity of Solihull’s business

olihull BID’s new term will begin on August 1st, 2020, after 90% of its member businesses voted in favour of its renewal.

Chief Executive of the BID, Melanie Palmer, said she is ‘absolutely thrilled’ by the ballot result.

“Solihull BID has been an outstanding success and it has helped to bring a huge number of activities to the town.”

Solihull BID’s priorities for the next five years

community, including leisure, hospitality, retail and office-based businesses.

BID Board member Kirsten Pickering, of National Grid, said: “I feel very privileged to be involved with the Solihull BID, and am extremely proud of the outstanding ballot results that the team have achieved. As someone who lives and works in the area, I experience firsthand the fabulous work that the team do to create a vibrant atmosphere and a real sense of community, making Solihull somewhere that people want to be.”

Speaking to the BirminghamLive news website, Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said that the BID had done ‘a phenomenal job’ for the town centre.

“Solihull BID has been an outstanding success and it has helped to bring a huge number of activities to the town,” he added.

“Looking forward I think the BID should carry on doing what it does best, focusing on events and activities that help bring people into the town.”

•

Increased regular events and festivals attracting new visitors to the town and increasing footfall and raising visibility to the Solihull offer.

•

Street Wardens – A highly-visible presence in the town centre to address anti-social behaviour and aspects of street begging and business crime.

•

Excellence Awards – The annual awards event showcasing the outstanding innovation, talent and vision of Solihull’s workforce.

•

InSolihull magazine – raising the profile of the town centre to visitors from across the Midlands, and for the wider reach audience on the Chiltern mainline through to London Marylebone.

•

BID card – special offers for employees in the BID area, increasing loyalty, spend and employee engagement.

•

BID BIZ club – lively and engaging networking events which include music performances, wellbeing events and quizzes helping teams to get to know their business neighbours.

•

PR and social media – raising the profile of the town centre as a great place to work, visit and invest in.

17

INBUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

PARAGON APPOINTS NEW SME LENDING MANAGING DIRECTOR A new Managing Director of SME lending has been appointed at Paragon, with extensive experience in the asset finance sector, spanning the UK and Europe.

John Phillipou joins Paragon from PEAC Finance, where he was Chief Executive Officer, leading the business in providing finance solutions for predominantly SME clients.

Mr Phillipou will be responsible for overseeing the SME lending activities of Homer Roadbased Paragon Banking Group including broker, commercial, invoice finance and professional loans to support UK businesses.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Paragon and I look forward to working with the team to deliver both a first-class service and products.”

Mr Phillipou’s career spans 25 years in business lending both in the UK and globally, including roles with Bank of Scotland, JCB Finance, Citigroup and as International MD for Deutsche Leasing.

HOTEL PARTNERS COUNCIL TO CREATE PARK ORCHARD voco St. John’s Solihull, (part of InterContinental Hotels Group), and Solihull Council, have announced a partnership that will support the Council’s delivery of its new Urban Forestry strategy.

As part of the partnership, a publicly accessible orchard consisting of cherry, apple and pear trees will be planted in Malvern Park in Solihull town centre. voco St. John’s Solihull is committed to delivering quality and sustainability; from

reducing single-use plastics and moving away from miniature bathroom amenities, to featuring bedding made from environmentally friendly materials in its rooms.

With sustainability at the core of the brand, voco St John’s Solihull wanted to work with the council to help protect the area's green canopy.

Jane Bowler, General Manager, voco St. John’s Solihull, said: “Trees characterise and make Solihull’s landscape more liveable and resilient to extreme weather.

As part of our commitment to sustainability and support of the local community, we are very excited to be partnering with the council and bringing the orchard to the people of Solihull.”

The Warwick Road hotel reopened its doors following a major refurbishment in February 2019.

PROJEX PICKS UP PRESTIGIOUS PROPERTY AWARD Solihull-based Projex is celebrating winning Project Management Team of the Year at a prestigious Midlands awards ceremony.

The annual Insider West Midlands Property Awards brings together the people and businesses that have designed, developed, funded, built and continue to shape the Midlands property sector.

Dominion Court-based Projex beat competition from some of the biggest names in property with judges recognising the company for its versatility, having worked on the likes of The Forum, a build-to-rent scheme in Birmingham.

Projex previously won the award in 2017 for its work on prestigious West Midlands schemes such as 55 Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre – a £30m project to deliver iconic new business space in Birmingham; Pershore Street – the first newbuild PRS scheme in the city and the Birmingham and Genting Arenas.

Chatty Café Scheme

We all know it’s good to talk and Solihull town centre coffee shops are encouraging this by bringing people together through the national Chatty Café scheme.

The Chatty Café scheme has a simple idea: venues pay a one-off £10 sign-up fee and designate a ‘Chatter and Natter’ table where people can sit if they’re happy to talk to each other.

The goal is for every café, coffee shop and community venue in the region to have a ‘Chatter & Natter’ table, and for local neighbourhoods to be at the heart of creating a less lonely, chattier region.

Solihull BID, the Business Improvement District for town centre retailers, restaurants, cafés and office-based companies, is backing the Chatty Café scheme in partnership with the office of the Mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street.

The BID and Mr Street launched the scheme at Paramo Lounge on the High Street, where customers introduced themselves to each other and businesses pledged to take part.

Mr Street said: “The Chatty Café scheme is a fantastic way to help people connect with each other in the places that matter to them.

“Our local high street businesses have a really important role to play in helping to create friendly, chatty places, and I am sure the scheme will be a huge success in Solihull.”

Melanie Palmer, CEO, Solihull BID, added: “We're proud to be part of the Mayor of the West Midlands’ Chatty Café Campaign. Whether you’re on your own or with others, a friendly chat with someone new could make all the difference.”

Join in

Solihull venues taking part in the scheme include: • Encore Café • Paramo Lounge • A Place to Eat in John Lewis & Partners • Boston Tea Party • The Beech House • Tap & Tandoor

• • • •

Crowne Plaza Solihull Theobroma Café Isabella Caffe Nero (Mell Square) • Pret A Manger

For more information about the Campaign, to find your nearest Chatty Café, or to sign your business up, please go to: www.wmca.org.uk/chattycafe 19

INPLAY

SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE WINNERS CELEBRATE MOMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Outstanding employees and innovative companies were given their moment in the spotlight at the Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2019.

M

ore than 360 people attended the red-carpet awards ceremony on Thursday, November 21, at the voco St Johns Solihull Hotel on Warwick Road.

Sponsored by Mell Square, Touchwood, Solihull College & University Centre, Phoebus Software, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, Solihull Observer and Wasps Rugby, the awards shine a light on the Solihull town centre's outstanding young people and businesses leading innovation, customer service and training.

Among invited guests were the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis, Leader of Solihull Council, Councillor Ian Courts, and Chief Executive of Solihull Council, Nick Page.

The awards were split into seven categories; Outstanding Young Person, Best Customer Service, Best Independent, Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise, Outstanding Team, Best Hospitality & Leisure and Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project.

Winners celebrated in style as they were announced by Solihull BID CEO Melanie Palmer, who congratulated all finalists on their well-deserved recognition.

“Well done to all our nominations for showcasing the success story that is Solihull, and a huge congratulations to the winners and highly commended companies this year,” she said.

“Once again the bar has been raised and the standard of applications were outstanding this year. Solihull is the hot spot of talent and vision that sets the standards for others to follow.”

The judges at this year’s Excellence Awards were Solihull College & University Centre Principal, John Callaghan, Eileen Schofield of Schofield & Associates, Director,

EY, Paul Brown, Chef Director at Liquid, David Colcombe, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, Ojay McDonald, Managing Director, Dluxe Magazine, Kevin Urquhart, and Northfield BID Town Centre Manager, Marcia Greenwood.

The Outstanding Young Person category was won by Alexandra Sheldon of Phoebus Software. Judges described Alexandra as confident and professional with incredible knowledge of her industry.

“Her independent inquisitive brain means that she will certainly go far,” added the judges.

Outstanding Team winners were charity retailer Cancer Research UK. The judges described the team as ‘selfless, passionate and committed, going over and above in a sensitive and friendly community hub’.

Jamaican jerk chicken restaurant Jamaya – a newcomer to the town centre dining scene – won the Best Independent category. The venue has taken Touchwood by storm since opening earlier in 2019, along with Asha’s, which was crowned winner of the Best Hospitality & Leisure category.

If your business is in the Solihull Town Centre and you would like to apply next year, look out for the nominations to open on the Solihull BID website (www.solihullbid.co.uk) in June 2020.

AWARDS 2019 S OL IHUL L BID E X C E L L E NC E AWA RD S 2 0 19

W INNERS

OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON

Winner: Alexandra Sheldon – Phoebus Software Highly Commended: Becky Salt – Dorothy Perkins / Burton BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Winner: Specsavers Opticians

Highly Commended: Holland & Barrett BEST INDEPENDENT

Winner: Jamaya

Highly Commended: Lucent Financial Planning OUTSTANDING INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

Winner: BNP Paribas Personal Finance Highly Commended: Touchwood OUTSTANDING TEAM

Winner: Cancer Research Highly Commended: Loaf

BEST HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE

Winner: Asha’s

Highly Commended: Tap & Tandoor OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT

Winner: Phoebus Software

Highly Commended: Mountain Warehouse

For more information about Solihull BID visit www.solihullbid.co.uk

21

INPLAY Solihull

NEW OPENINGS Solihull town centre continues to buck the national trend and attract a wide range of different businesses to give shoppers the choice they crave.

The High Street is in the midst of a revolution and we are seeing firsthand in our very own town centre what that means for the future.

The new food and drink experiences in the heart of Mell Square are evidence that people still want to visit and shop in town centres – you just need something unique to pull them in.

Solihull is fortunate to have a great mix of big national brands and independent boutique retailers and both types of business continue to flock to our town centre.

We love shouting about our wonderful businesses so take a look at our new additions – where will you be off to first?

ALDI Much-loved supermarket Aldi opened on Homer Road to much fanfare at the end of November.

Olympic Bronze Medallist, Sally Walton, cut the all-important, red ribbon, to officially open the new store. Sally gave away complimentary bags of fresh fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s famous Super 6 range to the first 30 customers in the queue.

The new store will offer large chillers and freezers dedicated to fresh, British meat products, a ‘Food to Go’ section at the front of the store, a fixture along the back wall showcasing Aldi’s award-winning Beers, Wines and Spirits, and an exclusive section full of Health & Beauty products.

Customers visiting the store can take advantage of Aldi’s famous Specialbuys, which are available every Thursday and Sunday.

83 Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3QJ, www.aldi.co.uk/solihull /AldiUK @AldiUK @AldiUK

FONE PLUS BIG BITEZ The former Big John’s restaurant on Station Road has now re-opened as Big Bitez. They offer a variety of fast food including burgers, kebabs, wraps, paninis, fish and chips, pizza and chicken.

They only use the highest quality ingredients so the result is a taste you can swear by.

They have plenty of offers on and a brandnew menu for customers to choose from.

44 Station Road, Solihull B91 3RX, www.bigbitez.co.uk /BigBitez

Located at 12 Mill Lane, Fone Plus, is one of the latest retailers to arrive in Mell Square.

The new store provides a wide range of products and services such phone repairing, which includes LCD replacement, charging ports, power button and water damage.

Fone Plus also has the capability to unlock a phone to any network.

The Mell Square store has a fantastic range of used phones, tablets and accessories, including chargers and cases for all models like iPhone, iPad and Samsung. Fone Plus is open 9am – 5pm on Monday – Saturday and 11am – 4pm on Sunday.

12 Mill Lane, Mell Square, Solihull, B91 3AX, /FonePlusSolihull

GREENS, VITA AND TASTE COLLECTIVE Mell Square is proud to be welcoming three new immersive food and beverage brands to Solihull; Green’s, Vita and Taste Collective.

The new food and drink destinations, located in the hub of Mell Square and on the former Costa site, will be providing an array of experience-led offerings under the three new independent brands.

Green’s will be offering innovative cocktails created by acclaimed mixologist Robert Wood. With over 15 years of experience, Robert has opened over 10 venues around the UK, including Birmingham’s Edgbaston Hotel, 40 St Paul’s (Imbibe Magazine Gin List of the Year & UK’s Best Gin Bar) and his own speakeasy 18/81 which has made waves around the UK with its unique approach to cocktail making and has been the recipient of accolades from CLASS, Imbibe and @Top50cocktailbars.

Vita will be serving delicious desserts and cakes from local, independent bakers such as Salcooks, Beki’s Brownies and Marsin Bakers, alongside artisan coffee and sparkling wines in a stylish setting.

A covered outdoor pergola style seating area will be home to pop-up street food traders from all types of cuisine, from fried chicken to vegan delights. Taste Collective is excited to play host to some of the Midlands’ top independent eateries.

Mell Square, Solihull B91 3AY, www.vitasolihull.co.uk www.greens-solihull.co.uk www.tastecollectivesolihull.co.uk

GOLDEN SCISSORS Golden Scissors provides a grooming service for today’s modern man. "The Art of Barbering" has been passed down from generation to generation and embedded in their work ethos.

Their desire is to provide a welcoming and relaxing environment for all to enjoy a sensational hair cut by their experienced barbers.

They open their doors and welcome you to experience the authentic art of Turkish Barbering!

4 Station Road, Solihull B91 3SB, www.goldenscissors.org @goldenscissorsuk @goldenscissorsuk

/goldenscissorsuk

BODYCARE GR & MM Blackledge plc is a retail group, founded in 1970 and has been serving customers for over 45 years. The Company was initially started by the owners, Graham and Margaret Blackledge, on a market stall in Skelmersdale.

Since then it has expanded to its current staffing levels of more than 1500 employees. The company now trades as Bodycare from 130 stores with a turnover in 2015 of over £130 million.

Bodycare sell a wide range of toiletries including soap, moisturisers, shampoo, air fresheners and perfumes. They also sell a range of baby products including bottles and nappies.

They have now moved into their new store in the old Gordon Scott unit, on Solihull High Street, just up from their former home.

45-47 High Street, Solihull, B91 3SJ, www.bodycareplus.com

SWEETS 4 U Sweets 4 U is a brand new candy store to Touchwood, giving Solihull shoppers access to treats from around the world.

Run by the guys behind popular newsagent News 4 U on Jubilee Walk, the new Sweets 4 U store will focus more on American drinks, sweets and candy with products such as Jolly Ranchers, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, Twinkies, and Mountain Dew readily available.

Now you don’t have to wait for your next trip to the States to stock up – you can get it all right here in Solihull!

9 Mill Lane Arcade, Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, B91 3GS, @sweets4u_solihull 23

GYM TIPS

When January comes around, we all make those New Year’s resolutions that we promise ourselves we won’t break. One of the most common goals set is to become healthier and fitter after the Christmas feast and getting in the gym can be a big part of the transformation.

PLAN AHEAD

Whether it’s attending classes or just going for a workout, getting into the habit of going to the gym on a regular basis is difficult. We’ve put together some of our top tips to help you get back into the gym mindset whether you’ve already started or are still struggling to motivate yourself.

Work out a plan for the week or next two weeks and book out time in your diary to focus on yourself. You can then use this time to begin training at the gym.

Booking in with a personal trainer or onto a class also commits you to the session meaning you’re more likely to go.

LAY YOUR CLOTHES OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE

USE LANDMARKS OR TARGETS

If you don’t fancy the gym but still want to work out, you can head out for a run. By using landmarks, you can monitor how far you have run and try and beat them each time. It also breaks the run up and gives you something else to think about. If you are using a home DVD you could use targets from the DVD to beat each time.

If you decide that mornings work best for you, lay your gym clothes out the night before, ready for when you wake up. Seeing them in the morning will give you the motivation to get ready and head straight to the gym.

Alternatively, if you are heading there after work, pack them in your bag and go on the way home, if you head straight home, there is more chance of you not making the trip back out again.

SET YOURSELF A 30-DAY CHALLENGE

Setting goals can really motivate you. Try and go every day for 30 days, for example, as this will help you get into a routine. If you can’t go every day, pick out certain days of the week and make sure you stick to those days each week.

USE APPS OR GUIDES

There are many apps and books out there which can guide you on the perfect work outs to suit your body. Have a read around and find the perfect one for you – something that works for one person might not work for you. Following guidelines is a lot easier than guessing.

DON’T SKIP SESSIONS

If you have planned a session, but don’t feel great, work out less or take the session easy rather than missing it completely. Once you have skipped one session, it is so much easier for it to become a habit and to skip more in the future.

TOP

3 TIPS

You may or may not know that Solihull does have its very own gym in the town centre – énergie Fitness who are based on Warwick Road. We spoke to Jamie, one of their personal trainers, about his top three tips.

1.

STRUCTURE

Having time off from training will help the body recover from the stress it has endured whilst training but then a loss of motivation may also creep in. To accommodate this, I recommend investing in a personal trainer or a fitness programme to kick start your New Year goals!

2.

GOALS

Set yourself three separate goals – SHORT TERM, MEDIUM TERM AND LONG TERM. This will give your training purpose and also a sense of achievement when you have completed the goals you have set.

3.

TRAINING PARTNER

Finding yourself the right training partner is key to enjoying your gym experience and improving your training. From getting you into the gym when you are not feeling it to helping you push out a couple of extra reps which will then aid you in getting stronger, a good partner can make a huge difference.

25

Easter

INSPIR ATION

Easter is one of the most important and oldest festivals of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox which is why the exact date changes every year.

Whether you are religious or not, Easter is a great time of year with lots of family time, two weeks off school for the little ones and visits from the Easter Bunny.

Any eggs that were laid were saved and decorated to make Holy Week eggs which were then given to children as gifts. Over time the tradition has developed to the eggs we all love now.

Many of us enjoy chomping down on a chocolate egg or two at Easter, but did We have put together some activities you know that chocolate Easter eggs that you and your family can get were only introduced in the 19th century? involved in to keep the little ones entertained over the Easter break.

Originally eating eggs was not allowed by church leaders during the week leading up to Easter (Holy Week).

Easter Egg Hunt The Easter Bunny became part of the Easter story in the 19th century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became the symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life. Get the kids to look out for signs of the Easter Bunny’s appearance and then see how many eggs you can find.

FUN FACT

In Switzerland, Easter Eggs are delivered by a cuckoo and in parts of Germany by a fox.

Get Messy in the Garden Easter symbolises rebirth, and it’s the perfect time of year to plant new seeds and bulbs in your garden. Teach you children how to plant tulips and daffodils, care for them and make them proud of what they have produced.

Egg & Spoon Race When you’ve got family round, why not have a bit of fun and see who has got the steadiest hand with an egg & spoon race. All you need are hard boiled eggs and wooden spoons! Not only is it fun, but it’s also active and gets everyone involved. Just don’t get too competitive!

Create Your Own Easter Eggs Trying to be more environmentally friendly and looking for a fun activity? Avoid the plastic packaging and head down to Lakeland to invest in these Easter egg moulds.

Let your creativity go wild!

Easter egg moulds, £3.99, Lakeland.

Get Crafty Get out the coloured tissue paper, pens, craft paper and glue. You can create anything you like, look at Easter bonnets, or decorations for your table. This is a great, and inexpensive, way to keep the kids engaged and entertained during the school holidays.

Wooden hoop, £2.

Floral bouquet, £10.

Faux eucalyptus, £2.

Rose bundle, £6.

All Dunelm.

Decorate Are your children having withdrawal symptoms and missing the Christmas tree? Why not pick up a few Easter decorations and go wild on one of the trees in the garden and also decorate the house. Keep them occupied and have plenty of fun in the process!

Pom bunny wreath, £8. Sainsburys.

Easter chick egg box decorations, £17.50.

White Stuff.

Also remember to look out for local Easter events in and around Solihull town centre and most importantly enjoy yourselves!

27

INPLAY

Solihull Business Expo A

The town’s biggest celebration of business will be back even bigger and better this March 2020.

showcase of all that is great about Solihull’s business community, the 2020 Expo will be held at the historic Ramada Solihull Hotel in the heart of the town centre on Wednesday, March 18th (10am – 3.30pm).

The first ever Solihull Business Expo, organised by Solihull Business Improvement District (BID), took place in March 2019 and proved to be a huge success for exhibitors and visitors alike with over 500 attendees.

Join us at the former 17th century coaching inn to discover exactly why Solihull has become a focus point attracting companies not only locally but globally.

When: Wednesday, March 18th 2020 Where: Ramada Solihull Hotel, The Square, Solihull, B91 3RF

The prestigious Expo will feature a wide-range of businesses exhibiting their products and ideas whilst attendees will be able to access a wealth of knowledge through a number of seminars on subjects such as marketing, PR, social media and networking as well as training from Google Digital Garage.

Visitors can take advantage of our free corporate headshot opportunity to add a touch of professionalism to their company or social media profile. There is the opportunity to build relationships in the Networking Lounge as well as be in with the chance of winning a number of exciting prizes.

Everyone who attends the event on the day will be entered into the draw which will include prizes such as: one night stay for two including dinner and breakfast at Ramada Solihull Hotel, a weekend family ticket for Solihull Summer Fest, a Touchwood voucher, a free advert in the InSolihull Magazine, a Co-op hamper plus many more.

To book your free visitor ticket to the town centre’s only Business Expo, head to our website - www.solihullbid. co.uk/solihullbusinessexpo2020.

We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday, March 18th and showing why Solihull is the hotspot for talent, innovation and success.

Solihull means business!

SEMINARS ROOM 1 10.15am Digital marketing – are your channels working for you?

– James Ebdon-Muir, Astute Media.

11am Realising the potential of LinkedIn in 2020

– Rich Brown, Quick By Design.

11.45am How to get free publicity in TV, Radio and the press

– Rachael Taplin, BlueBoo Media.

12.30pm Creating your diverse workforce

– Morgan Lobb, Vercida.

1.15pm Brexit, business & beyond

– Ojay McDonald, Association of Town & City Management.

2.00pm Make networking work for you

– Joan Smith, Jintro.

2.45pm Futureproofing your business

– Jean Paul Betancourt Paz & Kelly Xue, Lucent Financial Planning.

To book you place now visit www.solihullbid.co.uk/solihullbusinessexpo2020.

A percentage of tickets for the seminars will be available before the event and the rest will become available, on a first come first served basis, on the day.

ROOM 2 - GOOGLE DIGITAL GARAGE SEMINARS 10.30am Build Effective Presentations 11.30am Get started with Digital Advertising 1pm Get your business visible on Google #digitalgarage

29

INPLAY

What’s On Crowne Plaza Local Bedroom Rate for Solihull residents. £85 BB based on 2 people sharing a twin/double.

Applies to bedrooms for Solihull residents and their friends and families.

Valid for stay on Friday – Sunday nights and subject to availability.

Pre-paid and non-refundable. 25% off food when they sign up to news – www.signupfornews/crowneplazasolihull.

Booking must be direct with in-house reservations team on 0121 6239988.

Farmers Market. Support our local farmers by visiting this popular market, which usually takes place on the first Friday of each month and offers a tempting range of local produce sourced from within a 30 mile radius of Solihull. High Street and Mill Lane, Solihull. 9am – 5pm. For more information visit www.sketts.co.uk.

FEB

7

Michael Buble Valentines special at voco St Johns Solihull. Featuring incredible vocal accuracy and capturing the essence of Michael Buble’s legendary live shows, this tribute is perfect for a night of romantic indulgence! Includes a three-course meal, tribute act and disco until late. Prices from £30. 0121 711 3000. events@stjohnssolihull. co.uk. www.stjohnssolihull.co.uk FEB

14

Fine and Local Food Fayre.

Sample the best of locally sourced food and produce from a range of top quality suppliers at this market, which is held on the third Saturday of each month. Artworks and craft items by regional artists are also available. Mell Square, High Street and Mill Lane, Solihull. For more information visit www.sketts.co.uk.

FEB

15

FEB - APR 2020 The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Half Term Fun. Who is going trip trapping over that bridge to the grassy hillside? Find out in this fun show aimed at ages 3-7yrs. 1pm at The Core Theatre Solihull, tickets £12. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk FEB

19

Wedding Fair with Vibe Entertainment at Crowne Plaza. Wedding Fair with Vibe Entertainment at Crowne Plaza.

FEB

23

BID Business Club. Join us for networking and nibbles.

Keep an eye on www. solihullbid.co.uk for full details and how to register. Starts from 5.30pm.

FEB

27

Don’t Panic! Dad’s Army Show. A light-hearted variety tribute show in the style of the hit comedy show with some magic and sketches. 7.30pm at The Core Theatre Solihull, tickets £21. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk MAR

5

The Livertones journey through the decades at voco 6 St Johns Solihull. A tribute filled with the smooth songs from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and the Temptations to modern day artists, such as Sam Smith, Bruno Mars and Olly Murs with the occasional Liverpool influence of the Beatles.

Includes a three-course meal, tribute act and disco until late. Prices from £30.

0121 711 3000. events@stjohnssolihull. co.uk. www.stjohnssolihull.co.uk MAR

Wanted by Gazebo Theatre.

Exploring the stories of 17 five women in history who stood up for what is right – with little MAR

thanks. Celebrating International Women’s Week at The Core Theatre Solihull, tickets £14(£12 conc.) www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk Solihull Business Expo. We’re delighted to announce that the Solihull Business Expo will be back even bigger and better in 2020!

Join us at the Ramada to discover exactly why Solihull has become a focus point attracting companies not only locally but globally. The prestigious Expo will feature a wide-range of businesses exhibiting their products and ideas whilst attendees will be able to access a wealth of knowledge through a number of seminars on subjects such as marketing, PR, social media and networking.

10am – 3.30pm. Visit www.solihullbid. co.uk to register for your place now.

MAR

18

10cc’s Graham Gouldman MAR – Heart Full of Songs Tour.

24 Four-piece band performing beautiful acoustic versions of his songs written for 10cc and other bands. 7.30pm at The Core Theatre Solihull, tickets £25. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk Save the date, Touchwood Wedding Fayre. Touchwood is inviting all brides-to-be, their grooms and bridal parties to its exclusive Wedding Fayre this March, to help them to turn their dream day into a reality. Packed full of inspiration and ideas from top fashion retailers, caterers, entertainment and wedding specialists, couples will find everything they need to plan their perfect day. Held on 28th and 29th March, the Fayre will offer guests the chance try, buy, book and hire all that their hearts desire to tie the knot in style. Lucy Burnett, Marketing Manager at MAR

28-29

Touchwood, comments: “We know how exciting organising a wedding can be, which is why we are thrilled to be inviting all those who are planning their big day, along with their friends and families, to our exciting Wedding Fayre. We have a host of fantastic exhibitors joining us who will be showcasing an array of beautiful venues, flowers, cakes, fashions and decorations.

It’s set to be a great weekend, so make sure you say ‘I Do’ to joining us!”

Touchwood houses some of the best UK and international brands, designer retailers and independent boutique style stores. For further information, visit www.touchwoodsolihull.co.uk or telephone 0121 709 6900. Follow @ TouchwoodTweets or log onto www.facebook.co.uk/touchwoodsolihull Solihull Spring Fayre. Enjoy a variety of flavours from around the world and the chance to spruce up your garden. Mell Square, Mill Lane and High Street, Solihull.

APR

3-5

The Sooty Show. Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand-new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! Direct from their hit ITV series, Sooty, Sweep and Soo and TV’s Richard Cadell will amaze you with impossible tricks and sidesplitting jokes! Be astounded at Sooty's flying car, Soo’s singing unicorn and Sweep’s levitating sausage! Tickets, £14. The Core Theatre. www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk APR

15

BID Business Club. Join us for networking and nibbles.

Keep an eye on www. solihullbid.co.uk for full details and how to register. Starts from 5.30pm.

APR

30

For more information about these events and to keep up-to-date with the latest events in and around Solihull visit: www.solihullbid.co.uk

BOX

OFFICE www.cineworld.co.uk/solihull

Birds of Prey February When Gotham's most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, puts a target on a young girl, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley Quinn teams up with Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya to take Roman down.

Onward March Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, embark on a quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there in order to spend one last day with their father.

No Time To Die April Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Your local, award winning legal experts Checking whether ‘The Price Is Right’ when buying or selling a business ‘The Price Is Right’ might be a clichéd game show title, but it’s a fundamental point to check for anyone buying or selling a business, according to Thursfields Solicitors.

The advice from the leading Midlands law firm comes as a flattening and challenged economy may trigger an increase in deals activity, with many potential buyers and sellers considering their options.

Fiona Boxwell, Associate Director in the Corporate team at Thursfields’ Birmingham office, said: “When businesses are being bought and sold, everyone’s keen on knowing what’s the deal and making sure that ‘The Price Is Right’.

“But agreeing terms to buy or sell a business is not always as clear cut as it may at first appear.

“Often the negotiating parties will agree a headline price with very little detail as to what this includes or what it is based on, and this is particularly an issue if you are buying or selling a limited company.

“Here at Thursfields, our experience shows that flushing out the detail of the deal terms as early as possible will ultimately save our clients time and cost and avoid misunderstandings occurring as the deal progresses.”

Fiona explained some phrases and concepts to be aware of to ensure both buyer and seller are on the same page.

1. Is the deal price fixed?

Fiona said: “Often the deal price first stated is a headline starting point and not the actual cash price the seller ultimately receives.

“The buyer will usually require various deductions to be made, such as bank loans or overdrafts outstanding at completion.

“Or a seller may have large cash reserves in the business and will expect this cash in addition to the headline deal price.

“To avoid misunderstandings, state explicitly what you consider to be included and excluded from the deal price quoted so that expectations are clear from the outset.”

Fiona Boxwell Associate Director

2. What’s the price based on?

Fiona said: “Is the headline price based on the assumption that at completion the net asset position of the business will be no worse than set out in the last set of full accounts provided to the buyer prior to it making its offer?

“Or, does the buyer require a specific minimum net asset target to be achieved at completion? If so, make that target amount clear and state also whether there is an expectation of a minimum amount of cash being left in the company.”

3. What are ‘completion accounts’?

Fiona said: “The practicalities of how a final adjusted price is established should be discussed at the same time as agreeing the price.

“The parties may themselves want to establish an estimated apportionment of income and expenditure to completion and seek to agree a fixed final adjustment to the deal price to reflect this.

“This may leave both parties at risk of further expenses or income cropping up after completion which were not taken into account in these approximate calculations.

“To avoid this occurring, it can be required that such items are finalised through ‘completion accounts’. These are accounts drawn up to the date of completion as though that date were the business year end.

“They seek to be as accurate as possible about apportioning income and expenditure to the period pre-completion, and enable a level of accuracy to be achieved in finalising the price payable.”

Fiona added: “A deal will always progress more smoothly if all the above issues on are the table from the outset of negotiations.

“At Thursfields we have the specialist skills and experience to guide you through the entire process of buying or selling your business, from the point of initial negotiations to final completion.

“We always look to ensure that as far as possible the deal you agreed is the deal you get.”

Anyone with queries on buying or selling businesses can contact Fiona Boxwell on 0121 227 3372 or fboxwell@thursfields.co.uk.