Birmingham Post

Open All Hours ; Open Houses Popular in America and New Zealand, These Three British Properties Are Holding Open Houses Where Prospective Buyers Can View Homes at Any Time On a Designated Day. Annie Roberts Finds Out More

MILFORD HALL, POWYS, pounds 850,000 An historic hall is throwing open its doors to entice potential buyers to make a move.

1m Drivers Targeted in 20-Year Rail Plan

A 20-year vision to move more than one million car drivers from road to rail has been unveiled by the region's passenger transport authority. The plans would see Moor Street station rival New Street as a commuter hub, new railway stations at Fort Parkway and Castle Bromwich and direct services from Moseley to Birmingham city centre.

Road Congestion Headache Is Costing Us Dear ; Birmingham Post Comment 24 Hours

The Conservative shadow transport secretary was in Solihull last night to set out ambitious plans for a new high speed rail line linking Birmingham with London, the North and the Continent. She made it clear that the recession would not jeopardise the proposals, which would indeed bring enormous benefits to the West Midlands economy.

Brown Ill-Suited to Make Cash Stretch Further in Public Services ; 24 Hours

When Labour came to power in 1997, its supporters were hoping that schools and hospitals would enjoy major increases in funding. In this case, the new Government did not disappoint, and money poured into public services.

The Doors Are Opened for a Sneak Preview

New Pounds 7m Digbeth Studios Give Arts, Design and Digital Enterprise a Unique Home ; Creative

Birmingham's new pounds 7million home for digital and creative businesses is holding its official launch this evening and celebrating the fact it is 60 per cent full just three months after completion. Fazeley Studios is a 1.25 acre collection of magnificent but previously-derelict listed buildings on Fazeley Street in Digbeth which have been restored to form studio offices and event space.

Carphone Could Pull Plug On 450 Jobs ; Telecommunications

Carphone Warehouse said yesterday that 450 head office and support centre jobs were "at risk" of redundancy - including some in the West Midlands. The retail chain and Talk Talk broadband operator said the cuts would not affect store workers and stressed that none of its outlets would close as a result of the move.

National Express Warns of Jobs Cull ; Transport

Birmingham-based National Express whose rail empire includes one of the UK's busiest routes has warned of possible further job losses this year. The company, which operates the London to Scotland East Coast Main Line, has already announced that 750 jobs are to go.

Chamber Offer Start-Up Scheme for New Businesses ; Enterprise

The Birmingham Chamber has launched a new programme designed to help people start their own businesses. The scheme, which has been launched for businesses trading for less than12months, costs pounds 170 plus VAT to join but membership includes a range of benefits aimed at making life easier for new companies. Mandy Canny, manager of Business Startups at the Birmingham Chamber Commercial Services, said: "This service is designed for new businesses and is particularly aimed at people whom ay be...

'There's No Need for Bank of Brum'

One of the world's largest financial institutions has poured cold water on Birmingham City Council's plan to open a municipal bank. HSBC West Midlands commercial director Roy Harrissaid the council might end up bailing out firms regarded as financially unsound by mainstream banks if it went ahead with a proposal to lend money to small businesses hit by the recession.

Trucker Held On Suspicion of Murder After Stab Death

A lorry driver was last night being questioned on suspicion of murder after a man was stabbed to death and two others injured during an apparent attempted robbery on his truck. The 41-year-old trucker called police at 6.20am yesterday alleging he was attacked during a raid on his curtain-sided lorry at an industrial estate in Coleshill, in Warwickshire.

City Council Experts to Help Threatened Ldv Workers

Workers at threatened Birmingham van maker LDV are to receive specialist advice on how to claim benefit and re-train for other jobs. City council experts will set up a temporary advice centre today in Ward End Park, close to the firm's Common Lane headquarters in Washwood Heath, from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Health Bosses Under Fire Over Number of Teen Pregnancies

Sexual health bosses have been criticised after latest teenage pregnancy figures show millions of pounds of projects are failing to make an impact on under-age mothers. The West Midlands has seen a two per cent rise among theunder- 18s for 2007 with 5,100 girls falling pregnant despite the problem being one of the region's top priorities and NHS and council cash pumped into reduction schemes.

Guard Forced to Hand Over Cash

Robbers armed with a hammer forced a security guard to hand over cash from an armoured car. The driver of the vehicle (false registration plate LV54 WYM) was walking to the Tesco Express entrance in Hagley Road, Oldswinford, when approached by two men just after 8amyesterday.

Tories Vow to Push Ahead with High-Speed Rail Link

A high-speed rail line linking Birmingham with London and the North will provide a massive boost to the West Midlands economy and help to end the wealth divide with the South-east, according to Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers. In a keynote speech to the region's business leaders last night, Ms Villiers insisted a Conservative government would press ahead with plans for a new multi-billion pound rail line despite the recession.

Masterplan for Coventry's New City Centre Is Unveiled

The final masterplan for a new city centre in Coventry has been unveiled after a consultation involving more than 3,000 local people. The billion pound plus design is the biggest regeneration project in Coventry for half a century and will guide the transformation of the city centre over the next 15 to 20 years.

City Councillor Tells of Roadside Arrest Ordeal On Gaza Aid Mission

A Birmingham city councillor spoke yesterday of his "terrifying ordeal" after being detained by armed police in North Africa. Mohammed Ishtiaq was one of 300 British citizens subjected to roadside arrest as they tried to drive through Tunisia.

Lean Years for Schools and Hospitals - Byrne

Schools and hospitals face ten lean years as the effects of the recession limit the cash available for essential public services, Birmingham MP Liam Byrne has warned. Mr Byrne (Lab Hodge Hill), a senior government minister, admitted it would be "a challenge" to improve public services when money wasn't available.

Mitchell Exhorts Government to Deliver to Jlr

Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell renewed calls for immediate government action in saving Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as he visited the Castle Bromwich plant yesterday. The MP for Sutton Coldfield and shadow minister for Birmingham said his tour of the factory and assembly plant had crystalised his view that funds from the government must be released at once. "My message to the government is get a grip, stop dithering and deliver," he said.

Diamond Bands at New Heights As Men Embrace 'Mengagement'

Birmimngham's men are shedding their neanderthal past and embracing the trend for 'mengagement' rings. That's the evidence from Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter where sales of men's diamond bands are hitting new heights.