Business News

Key industries in some Commonwealth nations could take massive hits if appropriate steps aren’t taken following the UK’s departure from the EU. The forecast over so-called Brexit comes from policy experts’ analysis in two new research papers published by the Commonwealth Secretariat. "Brexit is a journey into unknown trading arrangements, both for the UK dealing with the EU, and the UK’s trading relationship with a large number of developing countries. Many have benefited from EU trade preferences," said Dr Mohammad Razzaque, head of the Secretariat’s international trade policy section.

This autumn, Jumeirah Carlton Tower is celebrating its 1960s beginnings with a 'Sixties Knightsbridge Style' exhibition in collaboration with Harrods and a Swinging Sixties Afternoon Tea.  On display in an area of the hotel's Chinoiserie lounge, the complimentary exhibition will run from 10th September to 20th November and will feature photos taken in the hotel in the 1960s, as well as images and clothing from the Harrods archive.

The most iconic packaging on British shelves has been revealed...as the Cola-Cola glass bottle. A study of 1,500 Brits explored the influence of packaging and branding on everyday shoppers and found that one in six thought the Coca-Cola bottle was the most identifiable in terms of packaging, and was just as recognisable without its logo or the product itself.

Multi-million pound Westside development plans will reach another milestone tomorrow (Wednesday) when preparatory work starts on the demolition of Heantun House and the Market Halls in Market Square, Wolverhampton. The building is no longer in use following the relocation in April of the indoor market traders to purpose-built cabins as part of the new-look city centre market.

A number of Tesco stores across London will open 24hrs in line with the new Night Tube schedule in a bid to increase convenience for late night and early morning travellers. From Friday 19 August Tesco will trial opening seven additional stores for 24hrs on Friday and Saturdays along the Victoria and Central lines.

Australia's top travel writers and public relations professionals were honoured at the annual ASTW Awards for Excellence at a gala awards ceremony held at Durbanville Hills in Cape Town. The top writer accolade, Travel Writer of the Year, which is judged from a selection of three stories by the writer, was awarded to John Borthwick. John, has been a member of the ASTW since 1990 and his award-winning stories were published in both the travel sections of The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald's Traveller section.

A number of factors - including cheaper mortgages, a rise in first-time buyers and more choice - have combined to create a positive outlook for the property market. The Bank of England’s recent decision to lower the base rate to 0.25 per cent has encouraged eight of the UK’s ten largest mortgage lenders to lower their standard variable rates, while figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show 68,200 loans were taken out by first-time buyers in June, an increase of 26 per cent on May and eight per cent on June 2015.

The Black Country Chamber Annual Exhibition will be taking place on 29th September at Wolverhampton Racecourse from 9am to 1pm. This is set to be a great event, with all of the stands selling out in record time and the number of delegates increasing each day. Proving itself to the one of the highlights of our annual events calendar, the exhibition will feature over 54 stands and usually attracts approximately 500 delegates, thereby serving as an ideal opportunity to network with a wide variety of local businesses.

Park Regis Birmingham – the new four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the city - has become Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s latest patron. The hotel, located at the former Auchinleck House at Five Ways, opened its doors in March following a £50m transformation. As well as offering 253 rooms, including a giant Presidential suite, Park Regis Birmingham boasts two restaurants, its 1565 Restaurant, Bar & Terrace, as well as its 16th floor Japanese eatery Rofuto.

The Caterer.com People Awards 2016 recently shortlisted The Belfry Hotel & Resort as one of the leading HR organisations in the country following their nomination in the HR Team category.The awards themselves, seek to recognise the initiatives that nominees develop and subsequently the hard work and dedication that goes into implementing them. Having already been nominated in the HR excellence awards in May 2016, this new shortlist adds to the impressive reputation the resort HR team is building within the HR industry.

From seeds....to bloomers! Introducing Bread & Butter, the UK's first food and drink founders' festival for start-ups to scale-ups looking to grow their businesses - and make them earn their crust. The two-day festival will feature hands-on interactive content, workshops, six unique zones and a schedule of inspiring must-see speakers who have all been there, seen it and done it.

Fraudsters are targeting students’ first loan instalments just weeks before thousands of students start the new academic year. The new wave of phishing emails have been reported to the Student Loans Company, claiming that failure to respond with personal information updates will see students ‘lose or delay’ their September student finance payment. The Student Loans Company is warning students not to disclose any details or respond to the email, which purports to be from Student Finance England.

The number of people living in each household is set to fall, as one-person homes and smaller families become the norm. New statistics from the Department for Communities and Local Government show there is set to be a decline in the average household size from 2.35 to 2.21 people by 2039. While the number of people making up each home is predicted to fall, the total number of households is forecast to rise significantly from the current 22.7 million to 28 million.

Businesses and regional partners from the West Midlands are being encouraged to drive forward the Midlands Engine and take part in its inaugural market visit to the USA and Canada this autumn.The first in a series of market visits was announced by Government at the Midlands Engine Business Summit last month (July), and it will be the first time that businesses and organisations from across the entire region will come together as one to promote trade opportunities.

Helpful Holidays has been shortlisted for Best UK Accommodation (group) at the Family Traveller Awards 2016. Acknowledging and congratulating the best of the best in family travel, the Family Traveller Awards is the only event of its kind, with 25 categories ranging from Best Long Haul Accommodation to Best Kid's Club and everything in between. Bigger and better than ever for 2016, nominations have increased from 2015's inaugural year with a further seven categories bringing the total number of awards to 25.