BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF
Birmingham Airport has been voted Best UK Airport by ‘Which? Travel’ members, in the large airports category. Birmingham achieved four out
of five ‘stars’ in six out of the seven categories, which were: Airport Design, Environment, Information/Navigation, Queues/Delays, Parking, Catering and Shopping. Members were asked to rate
each category by their satisfaction with, and likelihood to recommend, at airports that they’d travelled from in the last 12 months. More than 8,000 members took part in the survey, rating 28 airports. The findings suggests that people are appreciating the investments made by regional airports – such as Birmingham which is undergoing a £200m investment programme. Paul Kehoe, CEO of
Birmingham Airport, said: “This survey demonstrates that our hard work and investment is paying off and that our customers are benefitting from the improvements we’ve made. “We know that Birmingham Airport offers a hassle free alternative to some airports in the south east for both getting to the airport and travelling through the terminal so these results reinforce this.” Since 2009, the airport has opened a new state-of-the-art International pier and last year merged its two terminals. The airport is currently building a new £33m air traffic control tower and a new aircraft hangar, and is progressing a tender process for the runway extension to allow for more direct long haul flights. Airports in the survey’s large airport category included Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick. The large airport category was for those airports handling more than four million passengers a year.
The University of Birmingham’s Circles of Influence fundraising campaign has surpassed its £60m fundraising goal - the largest target ever achieved by a Midlands university. Launched in 2009, the campaign aimed to raise £60m to support the research into critical issues that affect us all, to open the university to talented students regardless of their financial circumstances, and to develop the campus to provide world-class facilities for students, staff, and the people of Birmingham. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, this target has now been exceeded.
10 CHAMBERLINK FEBRUARY 2012
£21m makeover for NIA T
he National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham’s city centre is set to undergo a £20.6 million transformation. The modernisation of the NIA aims to take
advantage of its location on the city’s canal side and will feature a new showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with large glazed views over the water and the city. The work is set to get under way later this year and will include improved facilities and a much greater emphasis on both the pre and post show experience. The flow within the venue will be made much easier,
increasing the ease of access and comfort for promoters, artists and visitors to the building. Coupled with this is the new entrance, which will secure the venue as a focal point for the city.
‘The improvement work at the venue is key to continuing its long-term success’
The NIA has been a huge draw for visitors since it was officially opened in 1991; the flexible arena has since gained a global reputation for world-class sports and crowd-pleasing live entertainment. The improvement work at the venue, which has not
been refurbished since its opening, is key to continuing its long-term success.
The new design includes further opportunities for
retail units and additional pre and post show space. Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, adds: “I am delighted that we are able to innovate and invest in infrastructure, at a time when other cities might have to curtail their development plans. By integrating the redevelopment into our Big City Plan we will seek to maximise the impact of this very exciting new development.” Paul Thandi, CEO of the NEC Group, said: “The
investment in the NIA represents not only a significant modernisation of the site to create an exciting and iconic contemporary venue, it also offers the chance to fulfil the ambitions of the city to be the place to visit for first-class facilities and the world’s best performers.”
Hippodrome’s financial friend
A West Midlands construction consultancy has stepped into the spotlight – to respond to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Stage Appeal. Emprima, which is based at Blythe Valley Park, Solihull, and a “good company friend” of the Hippodrome for several years, has made a significant donation towards the theatre’s Stage Appeal, which aims to raise £1.137 million to replace the stage in August 2012. Neil Pountney, managing director of Emprima, said: "For many years, our directors, staff and their families and friends have enjoyed and admired the very high standards brought to us time and time again by the Birmingham Hippodrome. These are values to which we continually aspire as a company and with which we very much wish to be associated.” He added: "The Hippodrome also attracts a
considerable contribution to the West Midlands economy, a factor which we feel just has to be supported.”
Artist’s impression of the new-look NIA
Neil Pountney hands over a cheque for a four-figure sum to the Hippodrome’s Judith Greenburgh
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