Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chooses Nuneaton 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chose Nuneaton to launch a major plan for the UK. He visited Horiba MIRA off Watling Street to launch the government’s new Industrial Strategy. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also visited the huge technology park, which has just been given the green light to expand. 

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-31916928 

Pioneering facility opened by UKBIC at Baginton 

The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) has opened its clean and dry zone (CDZ) which is available for use by cell developers, equipment manufacturers, and specialists working in the battery sector. Capable of maintaining the precise climate-controlled conditions needed in the production of high-quality, reliable cells, the 8,600 sq ft CDZ consists of five independent rooms which can be rented either individually or together for a range of uses. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/pioneering-facility-opened-by-ukbic 

West Midlands business leaders react to government's ten-year vision 

The masterplan includes proposals for the removal of green levies to help companies compete with overseas rivals, an increase in R&D spending to £22.6 billion annually by 2029-30 and £6.6 billion for the British Business Bank, including £2.6 billion for the nations and regions. 

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/industrial-strategy-needs-bolder-plans-31915856 

3M Joins MIRA Tech Park as Construction Begins on New State-of-the-Art Facility 

MIRA Tech Park is proud to welcome global science and innovation company 3M as the newest occupier of our growing innovation cluster, with the commencement of construction on a brand-new, purpose-built facility; Plot 44. The creation of the new facility follows the closure of the 3M factory down the road in Athertone. 

https://www.miratechpark.com/2025/05/29/3m-joins-mira-tech-park-as-construction-begins-on-new-state-of-the-art-facility/ 

Aldi confirms Atherstone distribution closure with staff being forced to relocate 

Aldi has confirmed it is to close its distribution hub at its Atherstone HQ. The closure will take place over the next two years and see the operations moved to a new site in Bardon, Coalville.  

The national name has stressed that all staff based within the Atherstone distribution hub will be offered 'guaranteed equivalent roles' at Bardon. But this will be a journey of at least 25 minutes for some. The Atherstone site will remain the UK HQ, with the logistics space repurposed for other company uses. 

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/aldi-confirms-atherstone-distribution-closure-31777030 

Software business which supports law firms signs for new Leamington office 

A firm which provides drafting automation software for law firms has struck a deal for new offices in Leamington Spa. Clarilis will occupy the second floor of Boundary Real Estate Partners' Walton House, 11-13 Parade. The long-term lease has been signed for 3,850 sq ft of open plan office space. The building, which is now fully let, is also home to gaming companies Lively Studio and Well Played Games, with The Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Coventry Building Society occupying the ground floors. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/software-business-which-supports-law-firms-signs-for-new-leamington-office 

Coventry leads the way with system that could ‘revolutionise’ mass transit 

Very Light Rail system aims to be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional trams, but also provides the same benefits Coventry is at the forefront of transport innovation with the introduction of a 'cutting edge' travel system that could transform public transport in the West Midlands, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has been told. 

https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/west-midlands-leads-way-system-31902285 

Warwick set to benefit from global tech investments 

Warwick is among several UK locations set to benefit from a wave of global technology investments, announced today by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle during London Tech Week. A number of ‘significant’ investments in areas such as artificial intelligence and fintech were unveiled, with several international companies choosing to set up in the UK for the first time.  Among the new entrants is Romanian tech consultancy Rebeldot, which will open a UK branch in Warwick as part of its wider plans to expand nationally. 

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2098640-warwick-set-to-benefit-from-global-tech-investments 

Keystone Brewing Group has announced a £2M investment into the business, to support the next phase of its growth, following a period of expansion. The Group, which also includes Warwickshire’s Purity Brewing Co, is forecasting a doubling of its revenue in the next 12 months.  Planned infrastructure upgrades include new delivery vehicles to strengthen national distribution capabilities and a 6,000 hectolitre increase in annual fermentation capacity at Purity Brewing Co. 

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2098650-keystone-brewing-group-set-to-double-revenue-following-major-shareholder-investment 

Polo Club Hotel Opens, Offering Luxury Stays Amidst Warwickshire Countryside 

A new luxury hotel experience launches within the prestigious Dallas Burston Polo Club in Southam. The brand-new Polo Club Hotel opened its doors this month, immersing guests in hundreds of acres of picturesque countryside. The unique 41-bedroom property is located within the prestigious Dallas Burston Polo Club, making it ideal for guests attending events at the 3,000-capacity IXL Events Centre – one of the UK’s top venues for corporate events and weddings.  

https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/polo-club-200625/ 

Warwickshire venue named best large hotel in England by country's tourist board 

A boutique hotel in Leamington Spa has been named the best large hotel in England by the country’s tourist board. Mallory Court Hotel and Spa clinched the gold award in the Large Hotel of the Year category at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Warwickshire venue named best large hotel in England by country's tourist board The four AA red-star venue made it through to the national awards after being named Best Large Hotel in the West Midlands Tourism Awards earlier this year.  

https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/news/mallorycourt-130625/ 

CBS Arena expands with new 1,000 sqm conference and exhibition space 

A leading Midlands venue has expanded its meetings, conference and exhibition offer with the launch of a new 1,000 sqm space. Coventry Building Society Arena has unveiled ‘The Curve’ as it continues to invest in enhancing its facilities whilst catering for increasing demand. The new multi-functional space is suitable for conferences and medium-scale exhibitions, with capacity of up to 350 conference delegates. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/midlands-venue-expands-with-new-1000-sqm-conference-and-exhibition-space 

Global Conservation Centre to be created following biggest single government grant ever given to a UK zoo 

Twycross Zoo is to create a Global Conservation Centre after receiving an £18m investment from the Levelling Up Fund, marking the biggest single government grant ever given to a UK zoo. The £25m Global Conservation Centre is being developed at Twycross Zoo in partnership with the Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and a number of universities. It will act as a hub for the zoo’s expanding global conservation work, scientific research, and education programmes, as well as a community space to train and facilitate the next generation of conservation leaders under one roof. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/global-conservation-centre-to-be-created-following-biggest-single-government-grant-ever-given-to-a-uk-zoo 

Global pharmaceutical company lines up growth with move to Coventry 

A global pharmaceutical company is relocating its team in Daventry to an IM Properties office building in Coventry in a move it said will support its growth and create jobs over the next five years. Dexcel Pharma is moving to Bourn, which provides a net zero-ready, smart-enabled environment and is located in the heart of Coventry's business hub. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/global-pharmaceutical-company-lines-up-growth-with-move-to-coventry 

West Midlands stores hit as River Island announces closure programme 

Fashion retailer River Island has outlined plans to close 33 stores as part of a formal restructuring proposal aimed at stabilising the business and returning it to profitability – with four in the West Midlands set to be shuttered. The retailer intends to keep all 33 affected stores open until January 2026 to capitalise on peak trading periods and realign stock. However, outlets in Birmingham Fort, Cannock, Kidderminster, Leamington Spa and Walsall will eventually be shut for good. 

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2099156-east-midlands-stores-hit-as-river-island-announces-closure-programme 

NatWest to close 52 more branches, including 7 in West Midlands 

NatWest Bank has confirmed that it will be closing 52 more branches before the end of 2025.  A spokesperson for bank said the closures were influenced by the fact that 80% of active account holders are now using digital services, while more than 97% of retail accounts are now opened online. Branches affected include two in Warwickshire - Leamington Spa, Royal Priors, closing on 1/10/2025 and Stratford-upon-Avon, 31 Rother Street, closing on 8/10/2025. 

https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2098729-natwest-to-close-52-more-branches-including-7-in-west-midlands 

PM to delay HS2 as official report details “litany of failure” that increased costs by £37bn 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to delay the opening of HS2, it has been reported, as an official review outlines a "litany of failure" that has driven up costs by £37bn. The government is also expected to appoint Mike Brown, the former Transport for London commissioner, as the new chairman of HS2 Ltd, the company that runs the project. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/pm-to-delay-hs2-as-official-report-details-litany-of-failure-that-increased-costs-by-37bn 

 £100m milestone for Start Up Loans programme 

The British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has passed a major milestone of £100m of loans provided in the West Midlands region. Entrepreneurs in the region received a total of 10,166 loans since the programme was launched in 2012, with the average loan amount of nearly £10,000.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/100m-milestone-for-start-up-loans-programme 

Midlands to benefit from £2.6bn investment in small business growth across the UK - British Business Bank 

The British Business Bank has committed £2.6bn of capital to help drive the growth of smaller businesses across the UK's nations and regions, including in the Midlands. The £2.6bn commitment comes as part of the Spending Review settlement, which saw the bank's total financial capacity raised to £25.6bn.   

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/midlands-to-benefit-from-2.6bn-investment-in-small-business-growth-across-the-uk-british-business-bank 

Productivity Boost - No phone signal on your train? There may be a fix - by 2028 

Mobile phone blackspots will be eliminated on several major railway lines and train tunnels by 2028, the body which runs Britain's railway infrastructure has pledged. Network Rail, which is owned by the government, has signed a deal with two private telecoms firms in a move it claims will see 4G and 5G connectivity boosted on trains and in stations. The Department for Transport (DfT) said work was set to begin next year and claimed it would "transform" journeys for passengers who have experienced calls cutting out and weak internet connections. The project is expected to take three years because works can only occur when trains are not running on tracks. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq53zzpvlqzo 

UK Remains Europe No2 for FDI inward investment 

The EY UK Attractiveness Survey 2025 ranked 259 regions across Europe according to the number of FDI projects each attracted in 2024. Greater London (265 projects) and Scotland (135 projects) maintained their positions as the UK’s first and second-best performing destinations for investment. The West Midlands and the North West were Europe’s joint fourteenth best performing region, attracting 86 projects each. The UK recorded 853 FDI projects in 2024, a 13% decline from 2023, making it Europe’s second best performing country for attracting inward investment. France ranked first in Europe in 2024 with 1,025 projects, a decline of 14% year-on-year. 

https://www.ey.com/en_uk/newsroom/2025/06/uk-regions-top-europe-fdi-locations 

West Midlands to host UK investment summit 

A major UK investment summit will be held in the West Midlands this autumn. The investment summit, originally planned by Mayor Richard Parker, has now evolved into a national event showcasing the UK's regional investment strengths. 

https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/west-midlands-host-flagship-uk-31819743 

Second acquisition for law firm

Coventry and Warwickshire solicitors Alsters Kelley has announced the acquisition of Banbury-based Aplins Solicitors, further extending its presence into Oxfordshire and bringing its total number of offices to six. The Legal 500 firm which already operates in Coventry, Nuneaton, Leamington Spa, Southam and Stratford-upon-Avon and it is their second acquisition in the last five years.