Small Business Saturday (1 December 2018) and Responsible Consumption: Independent Retailers and the Revival of the British High Street

I have just begun to realise that it is that time of year. Conifer trees, real and artificial, have begun to sprout up from the pavements and in shops and offices and additional twinkling lights have been installed to illuminate shopping streets and retail premises. There are many ways of reading these signs – as … Continue reading “Small Business Saturday (1 December 2018) and Responsible Consumption: Independent Retailers and the Revival of the British High Street”

Meet Laura Reynolds, our new Policy and Data Analyst

I have recently returned to the West Midlands for my role as a Policy and Data Analyst after five-years living and working in Wales. Coming back to the area after time away, I can see first-hand the changes across the city. Birmingham is rising to its position as the United Kingdom’s second city; attracting more … Continue reading “Meet Laura Reynolds, our new Policy and Data Analyst”

The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 – Ideas

The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2018 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. Over the next few weeks, we will be producing … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2018 – Ideas”

The Future of the Business, Professional and Financial Services sector

On the 7th November 2018, City-REDI hosted an event on the ‘Future of the BPFS sector’. Our event was one of 303 that took place across the UK, part of the 2018 ESRC Festival of Social Science, which aims to showcase social science research to diverse and new audiences. The event provided a unique opportunity for regional … Continue reading “The Future of the Business, Professional and Financial Services sector”

Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory

The Midlands Engine Economic Observatory is part of the Midlands Engine, a partnership of local and combined authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and businesses working together in new and transformative ways to invigorate the £207 billion Midlands economy. Home to over 10 million people and 440,000 large and small businesses, the Midlands has huge potential … Continue reading “Launch of the Midlands Engine Economic Observatory”

The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: Key Challenges and Opportunities for Birmingham

The Birmingham Economic Review was produced in October 2018 by City-REDI, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the West Midlands Growth Company. The review highlights the current strengths and weakness of the Birmingham economy, as well as looking at the opportunities and threats that might impact upon it in the future. Over the next few weeks, we will be producing … Continue reading “The Birmingham Economic Review 2018: Key Challenges and Opportunities for Birmingham”

Immigration in Developed Economies

Last year, economists across the political spectrum in the United States signed a petition to the US government in support of an immigration policy that would welcome more rather than fewer immigrants.  However, the current US administration seemed to feel that the opinions of these “so-called experts” (a similar denigration of economists as in the … Continue reading “Immigration in Developed Economies”

Meet Abigail Taylor, our new Policy and Data Analyst

I recently joined City-REDI as a Policy and Data Analyst. Throughout my academic studies and career, I have been interested in understanding the role of place in social and economic inequalities. Joining the City-REDI team gives me the opportunity to pursue this further through contributing to research and policy analysis that informs and influences regional … Continue reading “Meet Abigail Taylor, our new Policy and Data Analyst”

USE-IT! Community Day – Celebrating Community Research Together!

Last week we held a community day to celebrate the USE-IT! project in the Signing Tree venue, a deaf cultural centre and fantastic space in Birmingham’s Ladywood area. This is such an exciting project and for me it is truly an honour to be involved with the community in this way. It’s really wonderful to … Continue reading “USE-IT! Community Day – Celebrating Community Research Together!”

Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2018: From the Great Hall, University of Birmingham, to the Acme Trench Whistle

On 11 November 1918, at 5am, an armistice with Germany was signed in a railway carriage based at Compiègne, France. Thus, concluded the Great War, the war to end all wars or what became known as the First World War. At 11am on 11 November 1918 on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of … Continue reading “Remembrance Sunday 11 November 2018: From the Great Hall, University of Birmingham, to the Acme Trench Whistle”