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Charity acquires
signage business Birmingham-based charity, BITA Pathways, now has five social enterprise companies within its portfolio following its acquisition of a specialised signage business whose client base includes schools, colleges, the automotive industry, private sector companies and the health sector. BITA Pathways, with over 50 years’
experience behind it, provides a range of education, volunteering and employment services for adults with mental health problems, and offers a range of training courses and work experience placements in preparation for paid employment. During 2013-14 it engaged with 1,453 service users, progressed 552 people onto a training course, supported 405 individuals into specific work-related activity and achieved 31 paid job outcomes Its latest acquisition, Express Signs – first
established in the 1980s – provides a range of services which includes exterior/interior signs, badges, canvas prints, safety signage, promotional banners and vehicle graphics. Now based in Solihull, it was originally located in the woodwork department of Hollymoor Hospital in Northfield, which closed in 1995. Many service users who gain experience
and skills from Express Signs move onto other related opportunities such as college courses, voluntary work and meaningful paid employment. It enables service users to boost their confidence and self-esteem within a working environment. BITA Pathways business development
manager, Pat Bend, said: “The acquisition of Express Signs fits in well with the BITA Pathways model, whereby the social enterprises affiliated to the charity support work experience placements in a commercial environment.”
L-R: IAB president Saqib Bhatti, Anita Chumber, Ifraz Ahmed and Chamber director Russell Jeans
Premier position for The Asian Today
T
he Institute of Asian Businesses has “scooped” its latest Premier Plus Partner – by signing up The Asian
Today newspaper. The Birmingham-based monthly publication
was founded in 2002 by Ifraz Ahmed and from an initial circulation figure of 20,000 it now distributes up to 80,000 across the Midlands. Managing director Ifraz, who co-edits the
newspaper alongside Anita Chumber, said becoming an IAB partner would strengthen its links with the region’s South-Asian community. He said the newspaper’s appeal was reflected in its content of lifestyle, culture, identity and faith of the wider Asian community. Ilfraz added: “By exploring subjects and topics
affecting second and third generation Asians and maintaining content of interest for elder members of the community we are offering a platform for the community to voice its own views and concerns.” Anita, who was with Trinity Mirror before
joining The Asian Today, said: “As the Midlands’ premier English language Asian read, we like to think we have filled a much-needed gap in the publications marketplace.” IAB president Saqib Bhatti said: “The Asian
Today is a keen supporter of our organisation and I am delighted that it is now increasing its involvement with us. It has an established presence in the community and the quality of the paper speaks for itself.”
Microbrew on menu at Itihaas
Restaurant group Itihaas has joined forces with a Coventry micro-brewery Lion Heart to launch its own brand of beer. The beer, Sambha IPA, has been designed to
match Itihaas’s menu of authentic Indian cuisine, and is described as being ‘hoppy in flavour, with fruity notes of citrus and pineapple derived from special citra hops’. The recipe for the beer is a bespoke creation, and the ale will be available exclusively at the Itihaas brasserie in Selfridges Birmingham. Raj Rana (pictured), managing director at
Itihaas, said: “There’s huge interest in craft beer styles, their character and provenance. We wanted to challenge perceptions of Indian food and beer by creating an IPA that goes perfectly
34 CHAMBERLINK JULY/AUGUST 2015
with the rich and diverse flavours of our authentic menu. “Sambha beer is the genius of Itihaas head
chef and the brewery’s master brewer working together to create a refreshing beer that complements the palate when enjoying rich and flavoursome food. Sambha has been brewed to be specifically paired with Indian food.” Lion Heart’s head brewer Carl Marshall
said:“The recipe was developed to complement the rich and spicy aromas of Itihaas’s cuisine. It is dry but fruity, and refreshes the palate while packing real subtlety and depth of flavour.” Sambha is an IPA or India Pale Ale, a popular
style of beer that emerged in the colonial sub- continent during the days of the British Raj.
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