July 2020
More than just business...
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
In this issue:
Welcome back! The Business District begins to open up again after lockdown
colmorebusinessdistrict.com
THE BID TEAM Michele Wilby Chief Executive Officer
A message from Colmore Business District
July 2020
This month, leisure and hospitality businesses across the District opened their doors for the first time since April, welcoming customers back with figurative open arms. It’s an understatement to say that the last few months have been tough and the full damage of the lockdown won’t be known for some months, however as we enter a period of recovery, it’s more important than ever to support each other and the businesses that we love. As you return to Birmingham, you will notice a city-wide campaign that the Business Improvement Districts have been working on together. #BirminghamIsBack is a collaborative effort to support businesses across the city, highlighting those that have returned and are open for business. While we are encouraging people to explore the District once again, it’s important to do so in a safe manner, adhering to all social distancing measures. Your favourite bar, restaurant or retailer may be open, but the way in which you experience these venues will have changed, with new queuing systems and visitor capacity. Our security team continues to work with West Midlands Police to ensure that the District remains safe for businesses, visitors and residents. Following the launch of our Safer Spaces guide in May, this month we released a leisure and hospitality edition, providing important information and advice for those looking to reopen. As always though, we remain at hand to answer any questions and provide signposting to other sources of information, so please do get in touch if you need support. MICHELE WILBY COLMORE BID
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JULY 2020
Jonathan Bryce Operations Manager Claire J.Smith Executive Assistant and Office Manager Chris Brown Communications Manager Katy Paddock Events Manager Paul Street Strategic Projects Officer Lisa Richards Finance Officer Mike Mounfield Projects Manager Lee Stirrup Database Officer John-Jo Von Johnson Street Operations Manager Aaron Franklyn-Payne Security Supervisor Ryan Boothe Security Officer James Crooks Security Officer Samantha Birch Security Officer Nicole Panayiotou Ambassador CONTACT Colmore BID 37a Waterloo Street, Birmingham B2 5TJ Mail: info@colmorebid.co.uk colmorebusinessdistrict.com Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram: ColmoreBID
FOR COLMORE LIFE MAGAZINE Stacey Barnfield Editor Mail: life@colmorebid.co.uk Designed by: Edwin Ellis Creative Media
Lowdown
Email: life@colmorebid.co.uk
DID YOU KNOW? Birmingham Museums Trust – which oversees Birmingham Museum and Art DID YOU KNOW? If planning permission is granted, Octagon at thedue Paradise development will Gallery – has launched a fundraising campaign as it faces challenges to coronavirus closures. provide a new first for Birmingham: the world’s tallest (510ft) pure octagonal residential building. Shutterstock
Welcome BACK! BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE THOUGHTS ON WHAT CITY COULD LOOK LIKE AFTER LOCKDOWN
As part of a new series of events,TO BIDS COLLABORATE Colmore BID hosted its first PROMOTE CITY CENTRE Recovery Plan debate in May, bringing together representatives As COVID-19 from across thelockdown city’s business measures begin ease, community. A hotto topic of Birmingham’s discussion wascity whatcentre the ‘new Business Improvement normal’ will be in the city post Districts (BIDs) have consensus lockdown, the overall launched a collaborative of which was that the typical working day been changed campaign tohas celebrate and for ever. the businesses support One positive to comecity from the that make the second lockdown so great. is how people have come said Nicola The together, recent pandemic hasFleetMilne, chair of Colmore had a significant impactBID and CEO FleetMilne property. on theofUK economy, with For many businesses, communication the leisure and hospitality has neverperhaps been stronger industry being and hit more effectiveRetail despite people the hardest. footfall not to sitting in the same room. fell an unprecedented Because of businesses low in June,this, withmore a 78% are considering work-from-home decline as consumers policies when offices re-open. stayed home in a bid to stop With potentially more people the spread of COVID-19. working from home long-term, Following the easing of at retailers may have to look lockdown on July 4, alternative measures ways of engaging shops, bars, restaurants and with consumers, which will salons Birmingham have requirein some creative thinking, once again opened commented panellisttheir Sam doors to welcome Watson, chaircustomers. of Retail BID and Organised by Birmingham’s general manager of Selfridges. five city centre BIDs, the Consumers crave experiences, #BirminghamIsBack be it on the high streetcampaign or in looks to celebrate thosea a theatre. Lara Ratnaraja, returning to the city over freelance creative consultant
The ‘new normal’ is hot topic at BID debate cited a recent survey where 75 per cent of respondents missed the months, while the coming shared experience of being promoting keyHowever, safety messages at a live event. people to social distancing areensure not purchasing tickets due to measures are followed at and all concerns related to health times. safety, which has a significant Colmore BID, Jewellery impact on our cultural sector. Quarter BID, Retail BID, Mark Orton, partner at KPMG Southside and Westside stated that BID the West Midlands BID have with is likely to worked be one of the Visit hardest Birmingham to launch the hit regions economically and campaign on while manyboth havedigitally benefitedand from the streets ofsupport the cityover centre. government recent While are weeks,many thesebusinesses schemes cannot
mask the underlying problem forever. SAFER SPACES GUIDES As we become a more globalised entity, businesses turn Colmore BID has produced two Safer to overseas suppliers toinsecure Spaces guides for businesses the District cheaperabove). goods, said Steve (pictured The guidesfrom explain the latest guidelines Branham Brewin Dolphin. for safereliance spacing,has travelimpacted to and from work, This caring forchains visitors and customers andand how supply across sectors to consider the needs of colleagues. highlighted a need for reliability Visit the Colmore BID website. and visibility over them. As we enter the ‘new normal’ schemes such as HS2 and the Commonwealth will now open once Games again, changes be key to recovery, creating have been made including thousandsopening of jobs across reduced hours,the card region, Cllr Ian Ward, leader only payments, limited seating of Birmingham City Council and for some restaurants a commented. Projects such as booking service. these canonly provide hope for the The campaign looksthe to future city as we look towards support businesses by and theirthese completion. highlighting the changes to customers so that are If you missed thethey live debate, better prepared visiting. you can watch itwhen by visiting visitbirmingham.com/plan/ www.youtube.com/user/ birmingham-is-back colmorebid
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DID YOU KNOW? Birmingham City Council has launched an online book of memories to record the city’s response to COVID-19. It contains memories from people across the city.
A new Alliance for the business community NETWORK AIMS TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS
DISHOOM DATE Dishoom Birmingham at One Chamberlain Square has announced opening dates. The Bombay-inspired café (which was originally due to open on April 1st) will welcome guests for the restaurant’s rescheduled soft launch from Saturday, July 18th, to Wednesday, August 5th, before opening officially on Thursday, August 16th. Throughout the soft launch period (a critical stage of preparation and training for the team) guests will be offered 50% off food. Reservations will be taken for groups of up to six at any time of day, including evenings. Bookings can be made for the soft launch now via www.dishoom.com/ birmingham There will also be space kept for walk-ins at all times of the day. Owing to the unpredictability of British weather, bookings will not be taken for Dishoom Birmingham’s large outdoor terrace, but will be offered on arrival on a first-come, firstserved basis.
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Every year during the month of June, the LGBTQI community comes together globally to celebrate Pride month and recognise those who are working to make the world a safer place for the community. This year, Alliance Network and Colmore BID were set to have a float in Birmingham Pride’s parade. But, like all other largescale events set to take place over recent months, Birmingham Pride was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Some may say that the Pride Festival as a big street party, but while it is a celebration, it is much more and it means different things to different people. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of current issues facing the community, while bringing people of all backgrounds together. For us at Alliance Network, we too wanted to bring people together, in particular those in professional industries where there is still a lot of work to be done around inclusivity in the workplace. Operating on a purely Not-For-Profit basis, we organise a range of information sharing events, not only for the LGBTQI community, but also employers who wish to educate themselves
of the issues their staff may face. As a network, we want to collaborate with others to promote respect in the workplace, taking action where appropriate. According to a report from Stonewall, more than a third of LGBTQI staff have hidden that they are LGBTQI for fear of discrimination. One in ten black, Asian and ethnic minority LGBTQI employees have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues. We want to change this, starting with our own city. Pride festivals, particularly the parades, have faced some accusations of becoming cash generating exercises. In reality, businesses lend their voice to the cause by participating, standing with the LGBTQI community and saying “No, we will not stand for this discrimination”. We need more businesses and allies to stand up for the community and while Pride Birmingham may not have happened this year, there is still plenty that can be done by all of us during the remainder of the year. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact michelle. yeoman@db.com MICHELLE YEOMAN THE ALLIANCE NETWORK
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DID YOU KNOW? Businesses can apply for ‘Pivot and Prosper’ funding of up to £40,000 in a new grant scheme to help firms adapt to COVID-19 changes. Go to www.yourstepforward.co.uk
In January 2020, employment hit a record high of 33 million. However, this seemed to change overnight as coronavirus hit. When lockdown went into place and many businesses started furloughing their staff, we thought recruitment would be on an indefinite hold and for many of our clients this was the case. As a business our priorities changed. If our clients didn’t weather out the lockdown neither would we,
Richard Guy
Comment: How finding a new job changed overnight so we looked at how to support them in other ways. One area that many seemed to be struggling with is how to motivate and manage a team remotely. Team meetings are now happening on Zoom and this was alien to many. With this in mind, we started producing resources to help our clients better manage their existing teams. This built on our already extensive resource library where we offer advice for both client and candidate. As we started to offer this new service, word seemed to spread and we were approached by candidates and businesses up and down the country for advice. While many industries are struggling, some, like the IT sector are in fact thriving, so much so they are in constant need of new skilled staff. With face to face interviews out of the question, platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet have quickly become a HR team’s best friend.
For those that have been furloughed or even made redundant, they are using the time to upskill. As you can imagine, we have been inundated by CVs from the hospitality sector. Many are using this time to change direction and look for a new career. The phrase ‘new normal’ has been batted around a lot over recent weeks and many industries just won’t go back to the way they were. Flexible working will continue to become popular even when more offices open their doors once again. The lockdown has provided many businesses with an opportunity to hit the reset button, assessing how they do things. As an industry we too have had to do the same and while there is still a lot of uncertainty around what the future holds, it is also an opportunity and one which we are excited about. RICHARD GUY SIMKISSGUY RECRUITMENT
HS2 RAIL PROJECT SEEKING 300 CITY ROLES Hundreds of new jobs have been announced at HS2 Ltd, the company building Britain’s new high-speed railway. Vacancies across a range of disciplines, from engineering and project management to land and property, procurement and commercial are amongst those to be advertised as part of a three-month direct-recruitment drive. Over 300 of the roles will be based in Birmingham and the new roles will push the
total number of jobs the project has supported to over 10,000 once recruited. HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “These jobs are a welcome boost for workers across the country at this challenging time.” Applicants who may not have traditionally considered a career in construction and rail engineering are encouraged to sign up for a skills match assessment. Click here or visit https://www.hs2.org.uk/hs2-and-you/
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‘The works make our public spaces more user and pedestrian friendly’ MELANIE WILLIAMS
WORK BEGINS ON CHANGING STREETS IMPROVEMENTS TO BUSY LIVERY STREET AND COLMORE ROW AREAS Construction work has begun on a new public realm project in Birmingham city centre that will enhance the area for pedestrians and improve public transport connectivity. Spearheaded by Colmore BID, GBSLEP and Birmingham City Council, the Snow Hill Public Realm programme includes a number of projects that will enhance the public realm and prioritise pedestrian movement, reallocate unused on-street parking and encourage on-street activities within the Business District. Civil engineering firm and building contractor, McPhillips has begun work on the first project focusing on Colmore Row and Livery Street, which looks to improve the pedestrian space around Colmore Row with high quality paving, soft landscaping and the widening of the footpath in some places. The right turn
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from Livery Street onto Colmore Row will be removed, meaning vehicles on Livery Street will have to turn left onto Colmore Row. The bus stop and taxi ranks adjacent to the square on Livery Street and Colmore Row will be moved, with a new taxi rank at the top of Livery Street and the bus stop moving to the main pedestrian entrance at Snow Hill Station. Changes will also be made to the current one-way traffic, making it two-way system between Livery Street’s junctions with Cornwall Street and Barwick Street, to enable exit from Snow Hill car park and Livery Street via Barwick Street or Cornwall Street. Melanie Williams, Chair of Colmore BID’s Outstanding Places working group and partner at DWF Law LLP, said: “The BID team with others have worked hard over the last five years to bring this project to fruition. It is fantastic to see a start on site
‘Improving pedestrian access and traffic flow around Snow Hill and Colmore Row will improve people’s experience of Birmingham’ COUNCILLOR IAN WARD
as the BID works hard to make our public spaces more user and pedestrian friendly.” Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Our city centre welcomes more than 42 million people a year, and following the regeneration works around Centenary Square and Paradise, it’s time for us to revitalise the business and retail areas. Improving pedestrian access and traffic flow to reduce congestion around Snow Hill and Colmore Row, this will improve people’s experience of Birmingham.” Colmore BID has a longstanding reputation for working on public realm projects to enhance the district for those that live, work and visit it. Previous successes include the creation of Church Street Square, a space that had been under-used, as well as the award winning Colmore Square.
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THOUSANDS OF EXTRA SEATS ON WM TRAINS MORE PEAK SERVICES AS DEMAND INCREASES Rail operator West Midlands Trains is adding thousands of extra seats to its timetable as demand for train travel continues to increase amid the easing of lockdown measures. The operator – which runs West Midlands Railway (WMR) and London Northwestern Railway (LNR) services – has stepped up its timetable with dozens of extra services from Monday (July 6). However, the advice remains that trains are for essential journeys only. Passengers are being reminded to check their journeys before travelling and to bring a face covering to wear on their journey in line with the new mandatory regulations. Julian Edwards, managing director of West Midlands Trains, said: “Since the pandemic began we have moved quickly to adapt our timetable based on the level of demand and the availability of our
KEY CHANGES n 40,000 additional seats on LNR services to and from London every weekday n Additional peak services between Worcester and Birmingham New Street every weekday n Trains between Birmingham and Wolverhampton will operate to an increased frequency from MondaySaturday n Services between Crewe and Stafford via Stoke-on-Trent will now continue to Birmingham New Street from Monday-Saturday
own staff, who are not immune to the effects of coronavirus. “I am pleased we are now in a position where we can run more trains with as many carriages as we possibly can to help our passengers travel with confidence.”
Please consider whether your travel is essential IT IS MANDATORY TO WEAR A FACE COVERING WHEN USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT Passengers returning to the railway for the first time since lockdown are being urged to avoid peak travel times YOU SHOULD BUY TICKETS ONLINE AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME AS SOME STATIONS MAY HAVE ONEWAY SYSTEMS IN OPERATION Stay on the platform until people get off the train to give everyone space. Please try and keep the vestibule free
The new timetables are available to view at www.wmr.uk and www.lnr.uk Follow @WestMidRailway and @LNRailway on Twitter for the latest travel updates.
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Courtesy Ruth Amos
INSPIRATIONAL RUTH INSPIRES ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE
FORRESTERS MARKS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY Patent and trade mark experts at Forresters in Birmingham marked International Women in Engineering Day with the help of inspirational inventor Ruth Amos. International Women in Engineering Day on June 23 celebrated the outstanding achievements of female engineers throughout the world. While she was still at school Ruth Amos designed the StairSteady, which is an aid that supports people with either climbing or going down stairs. She went on to win the 2006 Young Engineer of the Year award in Britain for her idea, and the StairSteady is now being manufactured in the UK, Australia and Canada. Ruth co-founded the YouTube channel Kids Invent Stuff with fellow inventor Shawn Brown, and in 2017 she launched the #girlswithdrills campaign. Ruth has been working with attorneys at Forresters for a number of years, as she was made aware of the importance of patents from the first stages of the process when she was a pupil at Eckington School, Sheffield.
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This year’s theme for International Women in Engineering Day is Shape The World, with a number of virtual activities being organised to raise the profile of engineering as a great career choice. Ruth said she never set out to be an entrepreneur or an engineer, but having a good support network enabled her to start her own business. “When I look back it can seem like I took on a big project,” she said. “But actually it was a lot of smaller stages, and each one took me
THE STATS n According to the Women’s Engineering Society only 12% of all engineers in the UK are women. Their findings show that 25% of girls aged 16-18 would consider engineering as a career choice, compared to almost 52% of boys. Also, government research shows that 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs is female – this is a gender gap equivalent to 1.1 million missing businesses.
a step forward. My next steps are focussed on expansion and growth for the StairSteady, and with Kids Invent Stuff we will carry on inspiring the next generation of engineers and inventors. “It is a good time to be an inventor, as people can now build prototypes at home thanks to 3D printers, and it is easier to get one-off items to put their creations together. There are some big problems out there that need solving – and it is the next generation that could provide us with the answers and inventions we need to make a difference to people’s lives.” Emma Johnson, a partner at Forresters, said the firm was proud to work with Ruth on her StairSteady device, which has helped people of all ages with many different conditions. n For more information on the range of IP services from Forresters – which itself has five female partners as part of a workforce that’s 58% female – visit www.forresters. co.uk and to find out about the StairSteady go to www. stairsteady.net
One of Birmingham’s most popular statues – of reformer and MP Thomas Attwood – has returned to the city centre. Thomas Attwood was last seen reclining on the steps of Chamberlain Square in late 2015. Since then he has been in storage at Birmingham Museum Trust’s Collection Centre in Nechells while the Paradise Birmingham site was prepared for redevelopment. He is now returning to his position on the steps of Chamberlain Square following the square’s refurbishment as part of the completion of Phase One of Paradise. This phase also includes new public realm work on Congreve Street and Centenary Way as well as the first new buildings, One Chamberlain Square and Two Chamberlain Square. The statue was originally presented to the city of Birmingham and its people by Priscilla Mitchell, Thomas Attwood’s great great granddaughter, in 1993, to
ATTWOOD RETURNS TO CHAMBERLAIN SQUARE POPULAR STATUE IN STORAGE DURING PARADISE WORKS commemorate his contribution to the expansion of democracy and human rights in the UK. Officially called ‘Birmingham Man’, the statue of Thomas Attwood includes further pieces of art including a crate (or soap box upon which Attwood would have stood to give speeches) and sheaves of paper that spell out important aspects of Attwood’s political demands, along with the words Reform, The Vote and Prosperity, stencilled into the nearby steps. The artwork was designed by sculptor Sioban Coppinger in collaboration with letterer Fiona Peever. Attwood founded the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank in
the 1820s, which eventually became part of Lloyds Bank. In 1832 Attwood became Birmingham’s very first Member of Parliament following his successful campaign to introduce the Great Reform Act. The act brought democratic representation to the newly industrialised towns of the North of England and Midlands for the first time. Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Thomas Attwood is a major figure in our city’s and our nation’s history and more than worthy of his iconic setting in the beautifully refurbished Chamberlain Square.” Further statues due to be returned to Paradise include those of scientist Joseph Priestley and industrialist James Watt. They will be incorporated into the public realm for Phase Two of the development.
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Movers&Shakers SHAKESPEARE BIRMINGHAM MARTINEAU & MIDLAND INSTITUTE
Top 55 law firm Shakespeare Martineau The Birmingham & Midland has announced a major Institute has appointed restructure of itstosenior four new trustees further leadershipitsteam. strengthen board and Theshape firm has made help the Institute’s significant changes its work over the next fewto years. organisational structure These latest appointments complete theits vacancies on to support ambitious the Board. plans for growth and The boardcollaboration of trustees is vital increased to the success of the Institute across the business. and adds important skills Key updates to the including youngerthe element, structureainclude as two of the appointments introduction of business are under the ageunit of 23. The new trustees are managing George Davies, Rachel directors Dobson, Peter Miles Alex andand super Round. team Dr Serena Trowbridge, leaders Vice President, said: “We’re as well as delighted to welcome our introducing latest intake of trustees to the regional board of the BMI. heads “Not only do they add to across West the breadth of knowledge Midlands, East and experience ofMidlands the Board, andwith South. but our young trustees, Sitting on the main board they add another dimension alongside CEOthat Sarah and perspective will be Walker-Smith (pictured) valuable to the Institute.” and unit& Midland Thebusiness Birmingham managing will Institute wasdirectors, set up by Act beParliament the newlyinappointed of 1854 for the chief transformational ‘Diffusion and Advancement officer (CTO) Karen and Walker of Science, Literature andamongst recently Art allpromoted Classes of Ben Buckton as chief Persons resident marketing and people in Birmingham and Midland officer (CMPO). Heading upCounties’. the West Midlands region for the firm will be Joanna Deffley, supported by Richard Wrigley, Neil Gosling and Andrew Smith.
A ROUND-UP OF APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS
RG+P
DLA PIPER
Award-winning, multiIn a vote of confidence disciplinary design practice, in the region, DLA Piper rg+p has launched its third is continuing to focus on studio in the heart of Colmore growth in Birmingham Business District. as it prepares for its rg+p has taken space move to new offices in at 1 Newhall Street, the the prestigious new Two contemporary glazed fronted Chamberlain Square later building located at the this year. junction with Colmore Row. “Our corporate team has Initially, the practice will offer long been a powerhouse architectural and QS/PM of our Birmingham office services from the new studio, and we see significant with other disciplines set to growth in the team be added in 2020. Architect, over the coming years. WESLEYAN Lauren Raybould and senior Therefore, I am delighted QS/PM, Arron Iliffe will lead to announce specialist that Robert Wesleyan, the Birmingham team.the Business District-based Newman has this beenchief financial services provider, has appointed a new promoted to partner.” financial officer. SPOTTYDOG Managing Gillian Cass will take upBirmingham the role later this year, subject COMMUNICATIONS to regulatory approval. Partner, Trevor Ivory, She joins Wesleyan with over 20 years’ financial announced. services experience and isNewman currently CFO of customer spottydog communications joined DLA savings and investments Piper and operations at M&G has celebrated its ten-year in 2014 and his (previously Prudential). anniversary by announcing a practice focuses on equity Priortotoreinforce her timeits with Prudential, Cass held a number host of initiatives capital markets, regularly at Aviva includingadvising director clients of global commitmentoftoroles creating ‘best onfinance IPOs, operations, chief accounting officer of Aviva Investors of breed’ communications. secondary fundraisings, accounting officer of the UK and Life business. Founder & and CEOchief of spottydog, compliance ESG She said: “I am really looking to joining Rachel Roberts announced issues.forward He advises on Wesleyan later this year to play a key rolecross-border in delivering plans to further grow the domestic and strategic in place. business andthe build on theplans they have M&A, private equity “I bought vision for the success that has alreadyinto Mario Mazzocchi’s and venture capital/ business from our very first conversation and know that made spottydog VC investments, as a financial mutual they have their customers’ needs Birmingham’s corporate and members’ interests at heart – and that is a great largest city-centre reorganisations upon which we will build.” consultancy model in and joint ventures. Group chief executive Mario Mazzocchi said: “I am just ten years. Piper’sand her impressed with Gillian’s breadth of DLA knowledge The rapid of Corporate ability to interpret how a proactiveHead and knowledgeable growth of finance function can support and enable in Birmingham, a firm like spottydog Wesleyan to better serve its customers Noel andHaywood, enhance has led to the said: “I returns for our members. team growing“As a member of my group executive would like to committee into its seventh congratulate I know Gillian will push us toward this goal and office location at Rob within on thisthis team.” complement the diversity of thinking New Oxford House well-deserved Cass will replace Ahmed Farooq, who joined on WaterlooWesleyan Street. in 2010 and becamepromotion.” CFO in 2015. Robert Newman of DLA Piper
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A ROUND-UP OF APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS
BEVAN BRITTAN
GOWLING WLG
Movers&Shakers AVISON YOUNG
Gowling (UK) LLP has Edmund Street-based law firm Bevan BrittanWLG has been Avison Young has been appointed six new partners. appointed to a £15 million social housing panel. appointed to provide international law firm’s The firm has been appointed to theThe legal services estate management round of promotions framework operated by the Centrallatest Housing services at the Paradise will see Neil Hendron, Matt Investment Consortium (CHIC) following a competitive regeneration scheme. Alasdair McKenzie, tender managed by specialist legalHervey, consultancy The 1.8 million sq ft Kennedy Cater. Chris Nyland, Navin CHIC, based in Birmingham, is a Prabhakar consortium and of Tom Stockley mixed use development, registered providers that was formed 2010 as a not brought forward by joininthe partnership. LIQUID for profit organisation. private-public joint Alasdair McKenzie, Navin It has grown from seven founding members to more venture Paradise Circus Communications than 90 landlords that service more than half a million Limited Partnership consultancy Liquid across has the North West, Midlands, social housing homes (PCLP) and managed beenand named South Southfourth Wales. by developers Argent, nationally its public CHIC’s legalfor services framework aims to create incorporates office space, savings efficiencies through a panel of leading sectorand work in PR Week’s retail, car parking and housing specialist law firms. Bevan Brittan has been national ‘Top 150’ COPPER public realm. appointed to allrelations three ‘lots’ – Corporate, Governance list of public CONSULTANCY Avison Young has been and Finance; Housing consultancies. This and Asset Management; and appointed to work in an Property Development. year theand agency ranked Copper Consultancy advisory capacity onhas the The contract is foroutside four years with an anticipated overall as 22nd been appointed provide scheme followedtooutline maximum value £15 million. of London andof126th communications and planning permission, Jonathan Turner, partner nationally; up 19 placesand head of Bevan Brittan’s engagement support for which was granted housing practice, said: “Bevan Brittan has become from 2019. Towns Fundnow delivery inthe 2013. It will oneWith of the UK’s leading legal advisors to social housing offices on programme, as part of an build on success in this Prabhakar and Tom Stockley providers, we advise some of the largest housing Waterlooand Street in Arup-led consortium. role with provision of arein allthe senior lawyers in associations, developers and funders sector. The Birmingham, Jersey, The Government scheme, comprehensive estate Gowling WLG’s banking and firm is increasingly for its innovative work Guernsey and a recognised base run by the Ministry of management services. finance team. Hendron is a inincreating partnerships, and complex London, Liquid nowjoint ventures Housing, Communities The scheme’s director inare thenow firm’s M&A/ governance and financing arrangements that holds the top consultancy andbuilding, Local Government first One private equity team, Nyland an essential part of upgrading the UK’s housing sector.” spot for the public sector (MHCLG), willSquare, invest £3.6 Chamberlain a key member of Gowling outside London. Liquid billion in more completed andthan was100 WLG’s tax practice and isEAST also the top PR agency towns across England, handed over to PwC inas Hervey is an IP lawyer and VILLAGE to be located within part of the government’s November 2019. Head of Artificial Intelligence Birmingham cityPR centre commitment to ‘level up’ at thehas firm. Business District agency EAST(UK) VILLAGE. launched a and Channel Islands UK regions by boosting newthe service for small businesses, offering a portal of free respectively. long-term economic and downloads, as well as tailored PR and social media packages. Liquid’s chiefPR executive SMITH & WILLIAMSON productivity growth. Pocket Sized is focused on start-ups with a dedicated officer, Lewis-Jones, page onLis the agency’s website sharing PR and social media Copper, based on pictured above, said: step-by-step guides, templates Financial and professional services best practice, jargon-free for Newhall Street, will firm support “We proudmarketing to be Smith & Williamson has continued grow pressare releases, plans and more. the development ofto the recognised of of downloads, Pocket Sized PRits In additionas to one the suite also Birminghamscheme, office with the appointment alongside partners the topthree consultancies offers packages for PR and social media support, of tailored new partner Arup, David Nichols, Yewdall. FutureGov, within UK. It is a true to smallthe business budgets. Yewdall joins Smith Williamson Grant & Thornton and as Savills. testament to the hard “I am so excited that we’ve crafted an initiative that can help in the Employment Tax and a partner Pictured: Gore, director of work dedication small and businesses; evenfrom if brand owners just download one of Incentives team. He is James the latest in a series of economic development at Copper our team guidesand or templates, make,” our continuedI know the difference that can new appointments at Smith & Williamson in Consultancy said Tarafrom Tomes, founder and MD, EAST VILLAGE. support our clients.” Birmingham. CLICK HERE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS BUSINESS SUPPORT HUB
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Recipes From The Row
COCKTAILS SPECIAL!
Chicken Tikka
RECREATE THE COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL AT HOME WITH MOUTHWATERING RECIPES AND DRINKS
The Colmore Cook Book: Click on the image to download or read online
TAKE THE FOOD FESTIVAL HOME Following news that the award-winning Colmore Food Festival has been postponed due to COVID-19, Colmore BID organised a digital food festival, allowing you to whip up a storm in your own kitchen with help from some of Birmingham’s top chefs. The free-to-attend food festival brings some of Birmingham’s best food and drink into Victoria Square. However, after careful consideration it was deemed best to postpone this year’s physical event. Rather than let the weekend go by without a nod to the festivities, organisers Colmore BID decided to take the Food Festival online. To make the weekend a memorable one, the BID also launched its Colmore Cook Book. This download (click on the cover image above) gives you the recipes to make some classic Colmore Food Festival dishes in your own kitchen.
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TRY THESE DISHOOM DELIGHTS AT HOME
Chicken tikka masala is supposedly Britain’s favourite dish. If it’s yours, then you may be disappointed: this dish is not it. Tikka simply means piece, or chunk – so this is chicken pieces, marinated then grilled. The marinade is based on sweet vinegar, not yoghurt – and there’s not a drop of food colouring in sight. It makes a nice starter, or delicious lunch in a chapati roll. SERVES 4 AS A STARTER 500g boneless chicken thighs, with skin FOR THE MARINADE 30g fresh root ginger 10g garlic (2–3 cloves) 10g green chillies (2–3) 30ml rice vinegar 1 tsp deggi mirch chilli powder 1 tsp ground turmeric 1½ tsp fine sea salt 2 tsp granulated sugar 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Dishoom, which was due to open in Birmingham in March this year, pays loving homage to the old Irani cafés that were once part of the fabric of life TO GRILL AND SERVE in Bombay. Dishoom 25g unsalted butter, melted is well-known for Lime wedges Executive Chef Naved Nasir’s much-loved 1. Cut each chicken thigh into 3 pieces and menu of Bombay pat dry with kitchen paper. Place in a large 54comfort Cornwall Street, B3 2DF food. FromBirmingham, bowl. 2. For the marinade, blitz the ingredients Bombay breakfasts to www.opusrestaurant.co.uk together in a blender or mini food street food staples; processor to a smooth paste. hearty dishes of 3. Spoon the marinade over the chicken biryani to the curries of pieces and turn them to coat. Cover and Mohammed Ali Road, leave to marinate in the fridge for 6–24 and the famous grills of INGREDIENTS METHOD hours. Colaba, the Dishoom 30ml gin the marinated chicken 1. 4. FillTake a Boston tin with ice, gin,out of the menu brings 30ml filtered watertogether fridgeAperol, 20 minutes before cooking. water, Chambord, L&G (If you 7.5ml theAperol food of all Bombay. aregomme, using wooden them now.) mix, appleskewers, juice andsoak soya 7.5mlWhilst Chambord Liqueur has 5. Heat the grill to high. Thread the the launch lecithin. 5ml Gomme 1:1 delayed chicken onto skewers, leaving been slightly 2.marinated Add dry ice pellets to glass, using 20ml apple Juice enough space between the pieces for the due to coronavirus, Chef a muddler to compress. ½ barspoon Soya Lecithin to Boston penetrate. forseconds. 12–15 minutes, Shake tin Grill for 30 Naved hasaskindly shared 3.heat 15ml L&G mix, follows: turning andstrain basting regularly with the 4. Use a fine to remove any secrets 5mlthe lemon juice to some of melted butter, until deep golden brown lumps of lecithin, into your glass 1/2the tspcafé’s caster sugar most-loved with some charring. Check with the dry ice. 10ml lemon Get bittersa flavour dishes. that the chicken pieces are cooked through. Lemon zest 5. Drink should start to bubble up of what’s to come with 6. Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes 2.5 pellets of dry ice (optional, over the glass! these at-home recipes. before serving, with lime wedges for to create the smoke effect!)
ALCHEMIST
Bubblebath
Cubed ice Glassware – margarita coupe/ martini glass
12
JUNE 2020
Tip: Use soya lecithin and dry ice squeezing. to create a chemical reaction that creates those fairy liquid bubbles.
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Recipes From The Row
R
BAR OPUS
THE JEKYLL & HYDE
One Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6GH baropus.co.uk
28 Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6BJ www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk/
1 vanilla pod or 2 tsp vanilla extract Pineapple & Black Elder Zest 100g granulated sugar A few twists of black pepper Pepper Crumble
Bramble
saucepan and add 200ml water. If the sugar and simmer for a further 5 using a vanilla pod, split in half, run a minutes. Add the black pepper and knife down the length to remove the vanilla extract, if using. Turn off the seeds and add the seeds and pod heat and set aside. INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUMBLE to the pan. (If using extract, it goes Sapphire This is our take on a Gin British classic. 6. Spread 50ml Bombay Gin the pineapple mixture in a 25ml Edinburgh flour in later.) Simmer over a medium-low You100g can plain serve it warm or cold, on 10ml Sugar Syrup medium baking dish and top with the 25ml Edinburgh Gin’s Elderflower Liqueur oats heat for 20–25 minutes, or until the its 100g own, rolled or with custard or a scoop 37.5ml Lemon Juice crumble mix. Bake for 30–40 minutes, 15ml fresh lemon juice of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. 100g granulated sugar pineapple is soft, stirring occasionally. until the topping has formed a lovely 5ml Chambord Lemonade The tangsalted of pineapple and spice of 100g butter, cubed, at room If the pan starts to become dry, add a golden crust. Garnish with lemon twist and mint leaveslittle more water. pepper work wonderfully together. temperature 7. Allow to stand for 5 minutes then You can prepare the crumble 3. Meanwhile, makeMETHOD the crumble. Mix serve, with vanilla ice cream or custard. topping in advance, but don’t apply TO SERVE the dry ingredients together in ingredients a large METHOD 1. Add all apart from Chambord to a double Extract taken from Dishoom it until you’re ready bake. Vanilla ice ortocustard and rub in with 1. Half fill acream tall glass with crushed ice. bowl. Add the butterrocks glass and top with crushed ice. by Shamil Thakrar, Kavi 4-6juice together your hands incorporated; 2. Stir the gin, liqueur SERVES and lemon in auntil fully2. Drizzle 5ml of Chambord over top ofNasir the drink and Thakrar & the Naved 1. Trim the pineapple of its skin, prising there should be no loose flour left. mixing glass. garnish with 2 x raspberries and a slice of lemon. (£26, Bloomsbury) FOR FILLING out the “eyes”, cut into 2cm 4. Heat the oven to 200°C/Fan 3. THE Pour into theand glass. 1 large, fresh ripe pineapple Click here to buy the book. chunks, discarding thecrushed hard core. 180°C/Gas 6. 4. Top up glass with ice. (you need around 750g flesh) Photography © Haarala Hamilton 2. thewith pineapple chunks in a 5. Once the pineapple is soft, add 5. Place Top up lemonade.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of fresh mint.
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