Solihull
All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community
Contact: Samantha Frampton T: 0121 678 7488
In Brief
GTAccess has acquired powered access rental company Extreme Hire. The Bromsgrove-based firm is one of the
largest independently owned powered access rental companies in the UK. The company currently has six depots
across the West Midlands and South Wales and operates a fleet of just over 1,800 access platforms. Extreme Hire is run by powered access
veteran Stuart Bond and is based in the South East, with its head office in Hailsham, East Sussex and depots in Shepperton, Middlesex and Meriden. Extreme Hire operates a fleet of
approximately 200 access platforms and telehandlers and employs 25 people across the organisation. Jonathan Till, managing director at
GTAccess, said “This acquisition will strengthen our powered access offering and will help us to continue our ambitious growth strategy. “I very much look forward to welcoming the
whole Extreme Hire team to the GTAccess family.” Mr Bond will continue to run the two Southern depots. He said: “This is a great deal for Extreme
Hire customers as it will give them access to GTAccess’ depots and training centres and a combined modern and versatile powered access hire fleet of over 2,000 machines. “I’m really looking forward to continuing to
provide a first class service to all our customers.”
A former Solihull College & University Centre performing arts student has joined the cast of Channel 4 soap ‘Hollyoaks’. Charlie Georgio, aged 22 from Marston
Green, has taken to the cobbles of Chester where he plays the role of Jed. He said: “I’m delighted to join the cast of
Hollyoaks. I can’t wait to see where Jed’s journey goes.” After finishing his performing arts course in
2016, Charlie found himself an agent and secured a role in BBC One’’s ‘Doctors’ and went on to star in ‘Just Charlie’ in 2017, a film in which he played a young man named Gareth. ‘Just Charlie’ featured on Sky Movies and
followed the story of a girl trapped in the body of a boy. The film also starred Harry Gilby, who can now be seen as a young JRR Tolkien in the movie ‘Tolkien’. Charlie speaks fondly of his time at the
college’s Blossomfield Campus: “My college years were the best years of my life. I was able to study something I love and I’m now furthering a career in what I love.” Alongside his acting career, Charlie has
been modelling for a number of brands including Adidas, Boohoo and ASOS. He will be adding another string to his bow
later this year when he releases his debut album. He has already had a number of musical releases including his latest track ‘Amigo’.
52 CHAMBERLINK September 2019
Mell Square gets hip: How the new venue will look
It’s out with the old and in with the new at Mell Square, Solihull, as owner IM Properties tries out a new way of attracting visitors. The firm has secured planning to create a new
‘immersive eating experience’ called Taste Collective in Mell Square, in place of the rather more conservative Costa Coffee shop. Costa is going to relocate next to Marks &
Spencer, also in Mell Square. Taste Collective will offer a range of
‘experience-led eateries’ including four ‘pop-up’ street food kiosks, and will also feature a covered outdoor pergola style seating area, where people can meet up and socialise throughout the day. IMP says this is a ‘proactive approach to the
fast-changing retail and leisure environment’ and adds that consumers are ‘looking for a more stimulating social experience when they visit a town centre’.
Rob Hemus asset director for IM Properties
said the new proposals would help support existing retailers at Mell Square. “As a significant investor in the region, we are
committed to the continued improvement of Mell Square Shopping Centre, and we believe our proposals will create a real point of difference and interest in the town centre,” he said. “We aim to create broader appeal to a range
of ages and tastes, bringing greater vitality and vibrancy to the town centre, and creating as many reasons as possible for people to visit Mell Square, be it to shop, eat, drink or socialise with friends and family. “We’ve spent a lot of time designing and
collaborating with an independent operator, who shares our passion and enthusiasm for the Taste Collective, and we’re excited to unveil more details of the plans over the coming weeks.”
Airport Holiday Inn sold for £33m
Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn hotel has been sold for £33m. Crest Hotels sold the 241-bedroom hotel to 11 Hospitality Limited, and were advised by real estate consultant JLL. The hotel will continue to operate subject to a
franchise agreement with InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) under the Holiday Inn brand. Alongside its rooms, the hotel has 14 meeting
and conference rooms, a Marco Pierre White restaurant and leisure facilities. Gavin Wright, director, Hotels and Hospitality
at JLL said: “We are thrilled to have completed on this high profile sale. “The Holiday Inn has benefited from significant investment and development since Crest Hotels acquired it in 2005. “Birmingham offers strong investment opportunities, supported by the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the high speed rail link HS2 scheduled for 2026. “This sales represents the largest single asset
sale in the region during 2019 and follows our recent sale of the Hilton Garden Inn,
Birmingham Airport in 2018”. Jason Hiley, on behalf of the directors at Crest
Hotels, added: “The sale is part of a wider strategy to look for new opportunities after 14 very successful years of ownership. The strength of the business is a testament to the great team at the hotel, and the company is truly grateful for their hard work and dedication.” Stevensdrake Solicitors acted for Crest Hotels
and Adams and Remers LLP for 11 Hospitality Limited.
Mell Square will offer new eating experience
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