Latest news-in-brief from the region...

£8m plan to convert M&S in Leamington Spa into office space for growing tech sector

An £8 million plan to convert an empty M&S unit in a prominent Leamington Spa shopping centre into prime office space could see up to 400 jobs created in the town centre. The owners of the Royal Priors Shopping Centre in Leamington are aiming to convert the former Marks and Spencer’s store into 30,000 sq ft of office space and would add an additional office floor and a new roof terrace. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/8-million-plan-to-convert-former-ms-in-leamington-into-office-space-could-create-400-jobs/

Swedish electric car maker to more than bouble local R&D team

Polestar, the Swedish electric performance car maker, which has a major research and development in the Coventry & Warwickshire area, is to grow to up to 800 in total, in a major boost for UK FDI investment, and UK automotive. https://www.ft.com/content/64d965ec-85ec-4f23-90e0-d30c16a8680c

Business confidence has surged in West Midlands, according to Lloyds Bank

Business confidence in the West Midlands rose nine points during January to 39 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank. Companies in the West Midlands reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 11 points to 38 per cent. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/business-confidence-has-surged-in-the-west-midlands-says-lloyds-bank/

Indian EV manufacturer Ola Electric to build £100M Design and Engineering Centre in Coventry

Indian electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Ola Electric is to invest £100m in a new global hub for automotive design and engineering in Coventry to support its ambition to “build the future of mobility”. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/indian-ev-manufacturer-ola-electric-to-build-100m-design-and-engineering-centre-in-coventry/

Can you help these two not-for-profit social enterprises find temporary homes?

Two new social enterprises are looking for commercial space to occupy at no or low rent for initiatives designed to regenerate local areas. Net Zero Stratford and Arts Rising Collective (ARC) are not-for-profit Community Interest Companies searching for Meanwhile Leases (the temporary occupation of empty commercial property by non-commercial occupiers). Anyone who could help them with premises is asked to contact Andrew Wynne at a.wynne@cwcda.co.uk

Former Jaguar Land Rover chief becomes chairman of motorcycle brand

Former Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Ralf Speth has been announced as the new chairman for TVS Motor Company. TVS Motor is a major Indian manufacturer of motorcycles, and recently opened a new factory for the ‘reborn’ Norton brand. Ralf Speth began his career at BMW and completed his PhD at the University of Warwick. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2060074-former-jlr-chief-becomes-chairman-of-motorcycle-brand

Tech ecommerce firm set to move to 120,000 sqft HQ

Tech e-commerce firm Box is set to move to a new 119,000 sqft headquarters at St Modwen Park, on the Dordon/Tamworth border at J10 of the M42. The firm says it has outgrown its current office and warehousing space in Minworth and will move into the new premises in the coming months. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2060358-tech-ecommerce-firm-set-to-move-to-120000-sq-ft-hq

New green skills training centre heading to region

Coventry is going be home to a new £1.8m electric vehicle and retrofit training facility to help the region gear up for a greener future. Launched as part of Coventry College’s ‘Charge Up Your Future’ campaign, it will provide businesses with the skills and knowledge to capitalise on industry opportunities and achieve the Government’s net-zero targets, and students with practical experience under the bonnets of electric vehicles. https://www.cwlep.com/news/new-%C2%A318m-green-skills-training-centre-heading-coventry

MTC Helps computer manufacturer to boost capacity

An award-winning computer manufacturer has seen a 30 per cent increase in capacity and a 53 per cent boost in sales with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Desktop PC and gaming platform manufacturer Chillblast went to the MTC for help in increasing capacity to meet demand for its products. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/coventrys-mtc-helps-computer-manufacturer-boost-capacity-by-30-per-cent/

£8m Plan to convert M&S in Leamington Spa into office space for growing tech sector

Creative freelance community is forming across Coventry and Warwick

A new initiative is being launched to provide support to creative freelancers across Coventry and Warwickshire. The pilot scheme aims to connect the freelance community from television producers to game developers following the impact of the pandemic. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2059577-creative-freelance-community-is-forming-across-coventry-and-warwick

New MD at the MTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre

David Grailey, one of the UK’s leading figures in vocational and technical learning, has been appointed as managing director of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre. He will lead the centre, based on the Manufacturing Technology Centre campus at Ansty, near Coventry – as it continues to fortify the UK’s manufacturing sector with the next generation of future-proofed engineers and technicians. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/new-md-at-coventrys-advanced-manufacturing-centre/

Agents join with CoStar to provide Insights into strong local commercial property market

Commercial real estate agency Bromwich Hardy recently launched a new report into the state of the property sector across the Midlands – with a message that ‘doom-merchants’ are wrong to write off the strength of the office market. Bromwich Hardy founding partner Tom Bromwich says the report gave reasons for optimism despite the impact of the pandemic across the region. https://www.bromwichhardy.com/News/Bromwich-Hardy-Barometer-2022

Creative Cities convention coming to our region in 2022

February 2022

Email updates

Latest news-in-brief from the region...

Comments

Have your say...