Latest news with #WestMidlandsGrowthCompany
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black Sabbath's final show set to boost Birmingham economy by £20m
Birmingham-born band Black Sabbath's farewell show is set to help boost the city's economy by up to £20m, as fans flock to say goodbye to the long-running rock group. The West Midlands Growth Company, which invests in growth for the region, said that the West Midlands is expecting a boost of up to £20m in visitor economy, largely thanks to the sold-out Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning festival at Villa Park on Saturday 5 July. Dubbed 'the greatest heavy metal show ever', the show will see frontman Ozzy Osbourne perform for the final time with the original lineup of Black Sabbath. The region is also set to be boosted by other cultural and sporting events over the weekend, such as Jeff Lynne's ELO: The Over and Out tour at the Utilita Arena, the second men's cricket test between England and India at Edgbaston Stadium, the Godiva music festival in Coventry and the Colmore Food Festival in Birmingham's city centre. With so many travelling to the West Midlands for Black Sabbath and the other events, hotel occupancy in the centre of Birmingham is predicted to surge close to 90 per cent, much higher than the 54 per cent on the same weekend last year. Figures also suggest that Birmingham's hoteliers will enjoy increased occupancy levels for the first three weeks in July, in contrast to 12 months earlier. In a Q&A with communications agency Premier Comms, Osbourne, 76, said the show, titled Back to the Beginning, was a chance to 'say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me'. 'I couldn't have done my final show anywhere else,' he said of playing the gig in his hometown of Birmingham. 'I had to go back to the beginning.' Osbourne's wife, TV personality and music producer Sharon Osbourne, added that Birmingham 'means so much to Ozzy'. 'When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming and his love of Aston Villa – it all started here,' she added. Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: 'The eyes of the world will be on Birmingham for an extraordinary, unrivalled few days of music, sport and foodie events, delivering real-time economic benefits to our local businesses and communities. 'There is always such a special atmosphere in the city on major event days. We look forward to bringing people together and providing the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of Birmingham's culture and heritage, creating more special experiences and memories for our visitors.'
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Black Sabbath's final show set to boost Birmingham economy by £20m
Birmingham -born band Black Sabbath's farewell show is set to help boost the city's economy by up to £20m, as fans flock to say goodbye to the long-running rock group. The West Midlands Growth Company, which invests in growth for the region, said that the West Midlands is expecting a boost of up to £20m in visitor economy, largely thanks to the sold-out Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning festival at Villa Park on Saturday 5 July. Dubbed 'the greatest heavy metal show ever', the show will see frontman Ozzy Osbourne perform for the final time with the original lineup of Black Sabbath. The region is also set to be boosted by other cultural and sporting events over the weekend, such as Jeff Lynne's ELO: The Over and Out tour at the Utilita Arena, the second men's cricket test between England and India at Edgbaston Stadium, the Godiva music festival in Coventry and the Colmore Food Festival in Birmingham's city centre. With so many travelling to the West Midlands for Black Sabbath and the other events, hotel occupancy in the centre of Birmingham is predicted to surge close to 90 per cent, much higher than the 54 per cent on the same weekend last year. Figures also suggest that Birmingham's hoteliers will enjoy increased occupancy levels for the first three weeks in July, in contrast to 12 months earlier. In a Q&A with communications agency Premier Comms, Osbourne, 76, said the show, titled Back to the Beginning, was a chance to 'say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me'. 'I couldn't have done my final show anywhere else,' he said of playing the gig in his hometown of Birmingham. 'I had to go back to the beginning.' Osbourne's wife, TV personality and music producer Sharon Osbourne, added that Birmingham 'means so much to Ozzy'. 'When it comes to heavy metal music, Black Sabbath forming and his love of Aston Villa – it all started here,' she added. Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: 'The eyes of the world will be on Birmingham for an extraordinary, unrivalled few days of music, sport and foodie events, delivering real-time economic benefits to our local businesses and communities. 'There is always such a special atmosphere in the city on major event days. We look forward to bringing people together and providing the backdrop for a vibrant celebration of Birmingham's culture and heritage, creating more special experiences and memories for our visitors.'
Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Successful UK market entry programme set to launch for third consecutive year at London Tech Week
PRNewswire Birmingham [England], June 5: The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) - the region's official investment promotion agency - will launch its 2025 Global Growth Programme at a special breakfast event on Wednesday 11th June during London Tech Week. The launch of the unique UK market entry programme follows the success of the 2024 programme, which supported 17 innovation-led, high-growth international and UK companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands. The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover will take place from 9am at The Shard in partnership with Warwick Business School, showcasing the West Midlands' world-class innovation strengths and the opportunities on offer for ambitious, fast-growing businesses. The Global Growth Programme, now in its third consecutive year, is a fully-funded, nine month package of support for international technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. The programme offers fully sponsored workspace at a choice of six innovation hubs across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry. Companies on the programme choose from 20 specialist sector support packages, designed around four key sectors - Health Tech, Clean Tech, Digital Tech and Future Mobility. These packages are designed to optimise market entry success by providing companies with access to commercial networks, R & D assets and innovation centres across the region. The programme provides bespoke support to streamline the UK investment process for international businesses, from market entry to help with visas and sourcing accommodation. It is supported by a number of innovation focused partners including: Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R & D Midlands Campaign'; Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Warwick Science Park and Tyseley Energy Park. The success of West Midlands Global Growth Programme (2024/25) was enabled by funding partners: Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; and by Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R & D Midlands Campaign'. As part of The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover, Taras Matselyukh, CEO at Netherlands-based OPT/NET, which delivers high quality AI solutions and software for critical infrastructure systems operators, will speak about his experience of taking part in the West Midlands Global Growth Programme and reasons for investing in Birmingham. Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: "There's never been a more exciting time to be part of the West Midlands' business ecosystem; its burgeoning tech sector, world-class talent pool and exceptional R & D infrastructure make it the ideal environment for innovation-led international companies to turbocharge their expansion plans. "Over the past two years, our Global Growth Programme has proven a successful blueprint, providing disruptive and dynamic international companies like OPT/NET with the right support to realise their UK growth ambitions. I look forward to working with a whole new wave of companies in 2025." Taras Matselyukh, CEO at OPT/NET, said: "With its strong pipeline of potential clients and a world-class R & D ecosystem, Birmingham's STEAMhouse was the clear choice for our new UK hub. Supported by the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, we've rapidly established valuable partnerships, enhanced our UK market presence, and gained an ideal environment to continue next-gen development of OPT/NET's flagship product - OptOSS AI." 15 places are available for the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2025. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Photo -
Business Upturn
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Successful UK market entry programme set to launch for third consecutive year at London Tech Week
West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) inviting applications from eligible companies for its unique UK market entry programme, with 15 places available for 2025/26. Launch of 2025 Global Growth Programme during London Tech Week follows success of 2024 programme, which supported 17 UK and international companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands . BIRMINGHAM, England , June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) – the region's official investment promotion agency – will launch its 2025 Global Growth Programme at a special breakfast event on Wednesday 11th June during London Tech Week. The launch of the unique UK market entry programme follows the success of the 2024 programme, which supported 17 innovation-led, high-growth international and UK companies to create over 300 jobs in the West Midlands . The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover will take place from 9am at The Shard in partnership with Warwick Business School, showcasing the West Midlands' world-class innovation strengths and the opportunities on offer for ambitious, fast-growing businesses. The Global Growth Programme, now in its third consecutive year, is a fully-funded, nine month package of support for international technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. The programme offers fully sponsored workspace at a choice of six innovation hubs across Birmingham , Wolverhampton and Coventry . Companies on the programme choose from 20 specialist sector support packages, designed around four key sectors – Health Tech, Clean Tech, Digital Tech and Future Mobility. These packages are designed to optimise market entry success by providing companies with access to commercial networks, R&D assets and innovation centres across the region. The programme provides bespoke support to streamline the UK investment process for international businesses, from market entry to help with visas and sourcing accommodation. It is supported by a number of innovation focused partners including: Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign'; Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Warwick Science Park and Tyseley Energy Park. The success of West Midlands Global Growth Programme (2024/25) was enabled by funding partners: Connected Places Catapult, as part of the DIATOMIC Innovation Accelerator Programme; and by Midlands Innovation, as part of the 'Invest in UK University R&D Midlands Campaign'. As part of The West Midlands Breakfast Takeover, Taras Matselyukh, CEO at Netherlands -based OPT/NET, which delivers high quality AI solutions and software for critical infrastructure systems operators, will speak about his experience of taking part in the West Midlands Global Growth Programme and reasons for investing in Birmingham . Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: 'There's never been a more exciting time to be part of the West Midlands' business ecosystem; its burgeoning tech sector, world-class talent pool and exceptional R&D infrastructure make it the ideal environment for innovation-led international companies to turbocharge their expansion plans. 'Over the past two years, our Global Growth Programme has proven a successful blueprint, providing disruptive and dynamic international companies like OPT/NET with the right support to realise their UK growth ambitions. I look forward to working with a whole new wave of companies in 2025.' Taras Matselyukh, CEO at OPT/NET, said: 'With its strong pipeline of potential clients and a world-class R&D ecosystem, Birmingham's STEAMhouse was the clear choice for our new UK hub. Supported by the West Midlands Global Growth Programme, we've rapidly established valuable partnerships, enhanced our UK market presence, and gained an ideal environment to continue next-gen development of OPT/NET's flagship product – OptOSS AI.' 15 places are available for the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2025. Businesses can find out whether they're eligible to apply and register their interest here. Photo – Logo –
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Major regeneration investment opportunities in the West Midlands on offer
Regeneration bosses are looking to attract £19bn worth of investment in the West Midlands from national and global developers in HS2 terminals to affordable housing schemes and town centre than 60 investment sites are being promoted by county mayor Richard Parker at a trade show in Leeds this include Smithfield Birmingham, which is a £1.9bn regeneration of 17 hectares in the city, and the £3.2bn Arden Cross development, which spans 140 hectares around the HS2 Interchange Station in the investment bid comes ahead of the West Midlands Local Growth Plan being unveiled next month. The sites are being promoted by the West Midlands Growth Company in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton Parker said more than 1,000 acres of regeneration opportunities were being showcased under the banner Site Selection WM at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum event, which demonstrated "the enormous scale of West Midlands ambition"."By offering a more innovative and transparent way to explore a range of development sites, it marks a step change in how the region engages the global investor community," he said. "From town centre revitalisation projects; to forward-thinking, affordable housing-led schemes – bringing forward the right infrastructure is critical to my mission of fostering growth for everyone," added Mr Parker."I look forward to speaking to new potential partners with a shared commitment to our region's future."Last summer, Lendlease, a global real estate group and developer behind the Smithfield development said it was stepping back from the construction phase of its UK plans, which would see the city's former wholesale markets turned into a new landmark destination including residential living, offices, a park, retail and cultural spaces, were recommended for approval last Monday it emerged that King Charles's property company, the Crown Estate, struck a deal with Lendlease to back major projects, including Smithfield by taking a 50% stake in a new joint venture that also oversees five development schemes in London. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
