Topic
birmingham
Business Birmingham Michelin Chef Says Business Rates Cut 'Not Enough' for Struggling Restaurants
Michelin-starred chef Alex Claridge, owner of Birmingham's The Wilderness, says the government's 20% business rates reduction for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues does not go far enough and omits restaurants, cafés, hotels, and cinemas. He calls for a VAT reduction instead, warning that many independent hospitality businesses are barely breaking even despite full dining rooms.
Regulations & Compliance B&M Retail Ltd Fined £2m for Serious Food Hygiene Offences at Three Birmingham Stores
B&M Retail Ltd has been fined £2 million by Birmingham Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to serious food hygiene offences at three Birmingham stores. Inspections following public complaints revealed mouse droppings and gnawed products on sale. The company must pay the fine and costs within 28 days.
Logistics CrossCountry Ranked Worst UK Train Operator as Performance Scores Plummet
Birmingham-based CrossCountry has been ranked Britain's worst train operator by Transport Focus, with only 72% of stops on time and 7% of services cancelled in the three months to March 2026. Passenger satisfaction stands at 79%, well below the 87% national average. Transport Focus has called for urgent improvements to punctuality, information during disruption, and overcrowding.