Latest news-in-brief from the region...
Thousands of jobs move closer as expansion of MIRA Technology Park given go-ahead
The proposed expansion of the landmark technology campus by Evans Randall Investors, which straddles both the East and West Midlands were unanimously approved after at a planning meeting on July 15th.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/thousands-of-jobs-move-closer-as-expansion-of-mira-technology-park-given-go-ahead
Works commence on 36,700 sq ft industrial unit in Nuneaton
Industrial developer Tungsten Properties has secured planning permission and commenced speculative development to deliver Nuneaton 37, a 36,730 sq ft industrial unit at Bermuda Park, Nuneaton. The company said in a statement that it has secured planning consent to reposition the former brownfield site into a modern, sustainable industrial facility.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2100161-works-commence-on-36700-sq-ft-industrial-site
Jaguar Land Rover to cut up to 500 UK jobs
JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) has announced it is cutting up to 500 UK-based jobs amid pressure on sales due to trade tariffs. The company said it would be axing management jobs as part of a voluntary redundancy scheme.
https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-17/jaguar-land-rover-to-cut-up-to-500-uk-jobs
REE announces cost reduction measures to sustain long-term growth
REE Automotive Ltd. has announced the implementation of significant cost reduction measures aimed at streamlining its operations and extending its financial runway. The automotive technology company is adjusting its business strategy to navigate challenging global economic conditions and ensure long-term stability. The restructuring includes an approximately half reduction across its U.S., U.K., and Israel locations. The company has facilities at MIRA near Nuneaton, and Middlemarch, near Coventry.
https://theevreport.com/ree-automotive-cuts-costs-for-growth
JLR delays launch of electric vehicles
JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) has delayed the planned launches of its electric Range Rover and Jaguar models according to a report from the Guardian. The delay is reportedly so that the company can have more time for testing and can garner an increase in demand.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2100186-jaguar-land-rover-delays-launch-of-electric-vehicles
Raeon opens new battery testing centre in Nuneaton
Vehicle battery producers Raeon have announced today, 2 July that they will be opening a new ‘Test and Validation Centre’ in Nuneaton. Raeon, which designs and manufactures batteries for niche vehicles, will be expanding beyond its Oxfordshire headquarters to provide comprehensive battery testing and validation services at its new centre in Nuneaton’s MIRA Technology Park.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099466-raeon-opens-new-battery-testing-centre-in-nuneaton
OP wins contract for Potenza Technology’s new Coventry headquarters
OP has secured the contract to design and fit out the new UK headquarters for Potenza Technology in Coventry. The office interior design consultancy will deliver a fit out of 26,000 sq ft across two levels at the advanced battery technology facility and will maintain the building’s EPC A rating. Potenza Technology is the battery research and development division of FPT Powertrain, part of Iveco Group.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099455-op-wins-contract-for-potenza-technologys-new-coventry-headquarters
HORIBA opens Analytical Solution Plaza at MIRA Tech Park
The Analytical Solution Plaza is a new facility in the UK, designed to give engineers, scientists and researchers hands-on access to the full breadth of HORIBA’s advanced measurement and analytical technologies, supporting applications in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, clinical diagnostics, and environmental science.
https://www.horiba-mira.com/horiba-opens-analytical-solution-plaza-at-mira-tech-park/
Birmingham Tech Week to return for seventh consecutive year
Birmingham Tech Week will soon return for its seventh consecutive year and is expected to welcome more than 8,000 attendees. Taking place between 20 – 24 October, Birmingham Tech Week 2025 will welcome international delegates from countries including Korea and Germany to venues across the city, including the ICC, Millennium Point, and the STEAMhouse innovation centre.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/birmingham-tech-week-to-return-for-seventh-consecutive-year
Convention bureau relaunches in Coventry and Warwickshire
Conference, exhibition and meeting venues in Coventry and Warwickshire are set for a major boost with the relaunch of the region’s convention bureau. Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau is a not-for-profit organisation that supports venues with bringing in new leads and event organisers with planning business events. The organisation, formerly known as Conference Coventry & Warwickshire, has introduced a new website which will provide showcase opportunities for venues and a “one-stop shop” for event organisers.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099978-convention-bureau-relaunches-in-coventry-and-warwickshire
West Midlands businesses get help to go global with international trade summit
A major conference this September will help West Midlands businesses navigate through the changing global picture and support them in exploring new markets. The West Midlands International Trade Summit 2025 will be taking place at The Slate at University of Warwick on Friday, 12 September 12. The summit is open to firms across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099923-west-midlands-businesses-get-help-to-go-global-with-international-trade-summit
Green light for Midlands Rail Hub as it secures government funding
Midlands Connect’s flagship scheme, a “transformational” rail improvement which is expected to benefit 7 million people across the region, has been given the green light. A statement from Midlands Connect said that Midlands Rail Hub is “a blueprint for faster, better and more frequent connections across the Midlands” with 20 million extra seats for passengers and up to 300 extra trains every day.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099761-green-light-for-midlands-rail-hub-as-it-secures-government-funding
Mercia to accelerate shareholder returns after record year for capital deployment
Mercia will return £7m to shareholders as part of the group’s evolution to a pure play, regionally-focused private capital asset manager, boosted by “an excellent set of full year results”. The Henley-in-Arden-headquartered group backs SMEs and last year invested £284m into 165 businesses, through venture, debt, private equity and proprietary capital. Its third-party funds include the regionally-important Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine investment funds.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099381-mercia-to-accelerate-shareholder-returns-after-record-year-for-capital-deployment
Rugby businesswoman appointed to a new government-supported board supporting the next generation of construction workers.
Julie White, managing director of D-Drill & Sawing, which has branches across the UK, including a HQ near Coventry, has joined the new Construction Skills Mission Board, which is being co-chaired by the government and Mark Reynolds, Executive Chairman of Mace. The Board is developing and delivering a construction workforce action plan to recruit a target of 100,000 new construction workers each year until 2029, to secure the workforce needed to meet future demand. Julie White is already chair of Build UK.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099284-people-construction-skills-mission-board-the-nec-group-principle-estate-management
Mayor plans to create 100,000 jobs across region
Plans to boost the region's economy and raise living standards, leading to employment for tens of thousands of residents, improvements to public transport and 120,000 new homes have been announced with the West Midlands Growth Plan. The WMCA Mayour outlined five key industries where the region displayed "significant potential" for growth and the creation of job opportunities: Advanced engineering, including electric vehicles and battery technology, Clean technology and energy, Health and medical technology, Digital and the creative industries and Professional and financial services
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgeqlr4301yo
Warwickshire hotel dating back to the 17th century acquired by expanding Indian group
A Warwickshire hotel which has a history dating back to the 17th century has been acquired by an Indian group in its first move in the region. The Kings Court Hotel, a 60-bedroom commercial hotel located just outside Alcester is positioned on a prominent 4.2-acre site between Alcester and Redditch. Nanak Hotels, which already operates a portfolio of UK properties, plans to invest in a refurbishment and repositioning of the venue.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/warwickshire-hotel-dating-back-to-the-17th-century-acquired-by-expanding-indian-group
High street retailer in race to rescue 280 stores
Fashion accessories chain Claire’s is working on a restructuring and rescue deal that is expected to result in the closure of a number of its UK stores. The retailer employs hundreds of staff at its European headquarters in Birmingham, and has around 280 stores in the UK. The deal is likely to result in significant job losses and store closures. Locally, the retailer has stores in Leamington and Rugby.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2100090-high-street-retailer-in-race-to-rescue-280-stores
Half of UK small businesses fear collapse as economic pressure deepens
Amid rising costs and uncertainty, Britain’s small business growth engine is running on empty and needs “urgent support”. A new study has revealed that as economic pressure mounts and further tax hikes loom, over half (54%) of UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) say one more major cost hike could force them to shut down. The same number of SMBs believe today’s economic climate is even more volatile than the Covid-19 crisis. These findings come from Built for Bigger Things, a new study by Dext surveying 500 SMB leaders nationwide.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2100152-half-of-uk-small-businesses-fear-collapse-as-economic-pressure-deepens