Solihull
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President strengthens links with German twin town
By Jessica Brookes
President of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, Robert Elliot, has been strengthening links with Solihull’s twin town in Germany. Robert, also director of sales at Hogarths
Clear mandate: Melanie Palmer Businesses back BID
for five more years A massive 90 per cent of businesses in Solihull have demanded that the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) status is renewed for a further five-year term. Some 457 BID members were polled on the
issue in a confidential postal ballot, resulting in a turnover of 57 per cent. As well as 90 per cent voting to carry on with
the scheme, those businesses that said ‘yes’ accounted for 96 per cent of the rateable value of the BID membership, with a majority needed to secure the new term. A Business Improvement District is a defined
area within which local businesses collaborate to invest in projects, services and initiatives to improve the environment in which they work. BIDs deliver additional services to those
provided by the local council and organisations such as the police. The renewal ballot is a process all BIDs must
go through every five years to secure the support of the businesses they represent through a percentage levy on business rates. Solihull BID was created in 2010 and its latest
term will begin next year. The BID employs a team of town hosts and enforcement officers to help provide a visible and reassuring welcome to the town centre. Solihull BID chief executive Melanie Palmer
said: “The team and I are absolutely thrilled with such a resounding ‘yes’ result which gives us a clear mandate from businesses across all sizes and sectors. We are looking forward to progressing into our third term with confident, exciting ambitions for Solihull’s future.” Solihull BID chairman and former Chamber
president Kevin Johns said: “This result confirms that local businesses value the work the BID is doing within the town centre and we’re delighted to see local businesses continue to vote in favour of the BID.” Solihull Chamber president Robert Elliot said:
“As president of the Solihull Chamber and chair of Solihull Tourism Forum I was delighted to learn that Solihull BID had been successful in renewing their contract. “I wish them every success and Solihull Chamber of Commerce and the Forum will support them in every way we can.”
56 CHAMBERLINK December 2019/January 2020
Hotels, was part of a delegation from Solihull visiting Main-Taunus-Kreis (MTK) in Germany. The delegation consisted of Councillor Stuart
Davis, mayor of Solihull, Sarah Walker, mayoress, Councillor Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Robert. The trip was organised by Solihull
Metropolitan Borough Council, following a delegation from MTK visiting Solihull in January. MTK is located west of Frankfurt, and is part of the Frankfurt, Rhein Main metropolitan region.
‘Frankfurt is much like Birmingham, a bustling city with a range of international connections’
During the three-day trip, the delegation from
Solihull met with businesses located in MTK and Frankfurt, FRM, an agency which promotes the Frankfurt, Rhein Main region, and Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Robert was able to meet Viviane Volk,
international director of Frankfurt Chamber. Membership of Chambers of Commerce is
compulsory for businesses based in Germany. The pair discussed Solihull, Birmingham,
Frankfurt and MTK’s regional economies and how the towns can work together in the future. Robert presented Viviane with two books as a
memento of the trip, ‘Positively Birmingham’, by Jonathan Berg, and ‘The Diaries of an Edwardian Lady’ by Edith Holden, which now sit in display
A gift: Robert (left) signing ‘Positively Birmingham’ and ‘The Diaries of an Edwardian Lady’, gifts presented to Viviane Volk, from Solihull Chamber of Commerce
cabinets at Frankfurt Chamber’s offices. Reflecting on the trip, Robert said: “I was
flattered to be asked by the council to be part of the delegation to MTK. “I was shocked by how many similarities there
are between Solihull and Birmingham, and MTK and Frankfurt. Frankfurt is much like Birmingham, a bustling city with a range of international connections, lots of investment and businesses flooding in. And MTK is a lot like Solihull – it is smaller in size, compared to the city which it neighbours, but is still an active economic region with big ambitions for development and growth. “This visit was really beneficial in cementing
ties between MTK, Frankfurt, Solihull and Birmingham and I’m looking forward to seeing some positive outcomes for these regions as a result of the trip.”
Andy takes centre manager role
Andy Stewart has been appointed centre manager at the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre on Central Boulevard. Mr Stewart (pictured) had similar roles at
Basepoint in Evesham and UBCUK in Henley-in-Arden, and previously owned Business Telecom Solutions Ltd and Cygnet Telecom Ltd in Tanworth-in- Arden, which he sold in 2013. He said his previous experience
would make a major difference to his new post at the Innovation Centre, which is operated by the University of Warwick Science Park. “Having a small business background, I thought I would move into an environment
where I could help small businesses because I think my skills are transferrable,” he said. “I have established a career in property management and also have the benefit of having run a small business so I know exactly what their needs are and what support they require. “The Innovation Centre has a
great range of flexible serviced offices and support services to help with their growth which can be
essential especially in the early months and years to stay ahead of competitors. “I’m looking forward to meeting all the
tenants at Blythe Valley and raising the Innovation Centre’s profile in the area.”
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