it`s nearly ready

LIFE
AND
STYLE
FROM
THE
BEST
PLACE
TO
LIVE
AND
WORK
IN
THE
Solihull Food festival
IT’SNEARLYREADY
OCT 3-4 2014
Enjoy the tantalising taster plates from
£3-£5 from the local restaurants in
Mell Square, Vintage Bus Bar and Live Music
plus free Children’s Entertainment
STYLE BY SY / WHAT’S ON IN SOLIHULL / THE BIG TASTE / INDEPENDENTS
SOLIHULL IS THE BUSINESS / GROOMING ESSENTIALS
@solihullBID
www.solihullBID.co.uk
UK
3
Don’t be held
to Branson.
From the Editor
Anytime Return fare to London:
Virgin (from Birmingham New Street and International) - £164
Chiltern Railways (from Snow Hill, Moor Street, Solihull and Warwick) - £99.*
p6 What’s on in Solihull
p8 Big Taste Food Festival
p12 Solihull is the Business
p14 Innovative Independent Businesses
p4 Style from the Midlands
Fashion Stylist of the year
Travel to
London with us
for 40% less.
Book today.
Solihull is the perfect place for a day
trip or weekend away, with a great
range of hotels, easy access and a
family-friendly environment. The town
has been packed with fantastic
festivals throughout 2014. The fun
isn’t over yet with The Big Taste Food
Festival, on 3-4 October, which
features live music and a Vintage Bus
Bar as well as fabulous food to tempt
the taste buds.
p10 Grooming Essentials
Editor in Chief
Melanie Palmer [email protected]
This magazine is brought to you by
Solihull Business Improvement
District, a business-funded body
which works to improve and promote
Solihull town centre. If you would like
to know more about what we do or
want to share your ideas please email
[email protected].
Editorial Assistant
Lauren Teggin [email protected]
Contributors
Deborah Smith, Dayna Winter
Fashion Contributor
Sy-Anne Taylor
Design and Print
J M Bailey Communications Ltd, Solihull
0121 711 4499
We look forward to welcoming you to
Solihull where you will discover
exciting new places to shop and dine,
within the best place to live and work
in the UK.
Advertising Enquiries
Melanie Palmer [email protected]
insolihull is published by the Solihull BID Company Ltd.
Views and opinions expressed by authors, services and
products offered by advertisers are not specifically
endorsed by the Solihull BID Company Ltd. Reproduction
in whole or in part of insolihull without written permission
is strictly prohibited
chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline
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Anytime Return for £95 until 6 September 2014. Rising to £99 from 7 September 2014.
Solihull BID company Limited, 1st Floor, 148-152 High
Street, Solihull B91 3SX 0121 285 1370
hh
ello, welcome to the brand
new insolihull magazine,
introducing the unique,
vibrant and cosmopolitan Solihull.
Check out our unrivalled range of
international retail brands, wealth of
boutique independent stores and
award-winning food, drink and leisure
venues.
Melanie Palmer,
Manager Solihull BID
LIFE
AND
STYLE
FROM
THE
BEST
PLACE
TO
LIVE
AND
WORK
IN
THE
UK
5
STYLE
2
2
I am passionate about supporting up
and coming, as well as established
independent designers, boutiques and
high end, high street retailers. In future
editions, I will be translating trends
from the runway, to bring you global
fashion looks on a local scale.
In Solihull magazine and I are looking
to establish Solihull at the forefront of
the Midlands’ fashion scene –
we may be middle of the country, but
we certainly aren’t middle of the road!
talks to
Solihull’s very own
Sy-Anne Taylor
4
1
3
5
2
1
3
4
On Trend Print - Check!
These versatile separates
can be styled across
your casual and
corporate wardrobe
2
l
a
u
c
orporate
s
Ca
1
3
Mix winter hues with shades of
summer for the perfect
autumn ensemble
1
2
If the pink makes you blush then try working the
trend with pink colour pop accessories
Add interest to your classic
corporate look with bold
colourful accessories
v
3
1
2
5
Looking good isn’t just for socialising, mix it up this
Autumn and have the best of both worlds
4
Feeling washed out? These
autumnal colours will warm up chilly
autumn days
6
3
2
1
6
3
3
4
4
1
7
Layer up your spring dresses
with tights & a cosy winter coat
1
1 Hedgehog mini satchel £39, Aspire
Style 2 Louche Lovebirds watch £46,
Aspire Style 3 Yumi textured coat £90,
Aspire Style 4 Seasalt Seafolly Jacket in
Eventide £79.95, Parkinsons
2
1 Joules Foxton Jacket £120.00,
Parkinsons 2 Barbour Mens Sapper
Waxed Jacket £229.00, Parkinsons
3 Olive Hat £199.95 Banbury Green
Donegal Jacket £1,299.95 Windsor Royal Twill
Peach Plain Shirt £139.95 Stafford Celtic Floral
Tie £79.95 Paignton Celtic Pocket Square £44.95
Milan Pastel Green Chinos £249.95 Holyrood
Conker Monkstraps £499.95 Walton Orange Bag
£599.95 Clements & Church
Weekend Style
5
3
1 Tribal Steel Leather Bracelets from
£11.99, Party Animal 2 Tiger Wallet
£24.99, Aspire Style 3 Silver Jewellery,
Party Animal 4 Yumi chunky chevron
cardigan £45 Aspire Style 5 Lauren G Adams,
Enamel Bangles £70, Fabulous
4
1 Riani Blazer £355 & Scarf £169, Katherine
Draisey 2 Riani Cardigan £279 & Shirt £159,
Katherine Draisey 3 Pocket Watch,
£165, Fabulous
5
1 French Connection Manhattan Body
Con Dress £60.00, Parkinsons 2 Pink
pattern scarf and ring £2.99 each, The
Little Bag Company 3 Type Write satchel
£45, Aspire Style 4 Lichfield Navy Blue Pinstripe
£999.95 Windsor Royal Blue Stripe Shirt £149.95
Stafford Tulip Ornate Tie £79.95 Paignton Tulip
Ornate Square £44.95 Daventry Espresso And
Plough Suede Shoes £449.95 Nash Sable Hat
£199.95 Walton Brown Bag £599.95
Clements & Church
6
1 Pocket Watch, £185. Fabulous 2 Abro Faux
pony skin and metallic skin effect leather tote
bag, £398.00, Le Scarpe 3 Great Plains
Bladerunner dress £65.00, Parkinsons 4 Yumi
zip coat bee lining £95, Aspire Style 5 Moschino dress
£885 Madeleine Ann 6 Moschino shirt £335 Madeleine
Ann 7 Piaza Sempione trousers £245 Madeleine Ann
S T O C K I S T S
D E T A I L S
Aspire Style, Mill Lane 0121 709 1110 / Parkinsons, Drury Lane 0121 704 3322
/ Clements & Church, Drury Lane 0121 703 0545 / Fabulous, Poplar Arcade
0121 709 0585 / Party Animal, Mill Lane Arcade 0121 705 5927 / Le Scarpe,
Drury Lane 0121 704 2218 / Katherine Draisey, Drury Lane 0121 704 2233 /
BB Boutique, High Street 0121 679 2355 / The Little Bag Company, Poplar
Way 0121 359 8317 / Madeleine Ann, Drury Lane 0121 704 9454
7
LEISURE
What’s On
The King Returns
has been looking at some
of the things that will be taking place
across the town
Solihull Theatre, September 13th 8pm
Direct from the London Palladium comes the world's leading Elvis
performer, Chris Connor. Chris Connor burst on to the UK Elvis scene in
early 2009, and within 12 months he was performing at venues such
as the Manchester Apollo. Tickets £15 to book go to
www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk
Solihull is officially a great place to have
a night out, being one of only 50 towns
and cities across the UK and Ireland who
have been awarded with Purple Flag
status for their achievements in helping
people have an entertaining, safe and
enjoyable time
Touchwood, 0121 711 1005
Solihull’s Music Venues
A 9 screen cinema situated in Touchwood
will be featuring a wide range of films
coming soon, including:
O’Neill’s Open Mic Night every Thursday starting at
7pm. Live bands every Friday and Saturday starting
at 10pm
Après SNÖ Thursdays, every Thursday, £5 entry,
9pm-3am, with DJ’s on the night. Resident DJ’s every
Friday and Saturday 9pm-3am. Happy Hour 3pm8pm every day - doubles and house spirits same
price as singles.
Hogshead Resident DJ every Saturday 8:30pm-2am.
2-4-1 cocktails every day until 8pm.
Assembly Rooms Resident DJ every Friday and
Saturday 10pm-2am.
The Coach House Open Mic Night - every Thursday
8pm-11pm Free entry, with special drinks offers on
the night. Every Friday - Resident DJ Andy Spencer,
Free admission 8pm-late. Saturday Night Sessions
with Resident DJ Andy Spencer 8pm-late free
admission.
The Masons Arms Live entertainment Thursday Saturday with resident DJ Chris Tuffin 8pm-1am
Slug and Lettuce Thirsty Thursdays - DJ from 9pm,
House wine £10.99, 2-4-1 cocktails 4pm-late,
selected bottles £2.75. Fridays - DJ from 9pm, 2-41 cocktails 4pm-10pm. Saturdays - DJ from 9pm,
2-4-1 cocktails 4pm-10pm. Sundays - Live band and
DJ from 6pm, Kids eat for £1.
The Lazy Cow Thursday nights DJ and from 5pm it’s
2-4-1 cocktails all night long.
Fizz Fridays half price house champagne and
Prosecco 5-9pm plus live music every Friday
from 9.30pm. Saturdays 2-4-1 cocktails all night long
plus a DJ.
Missoula Friday Night Live with DJ Phil Upton from
8pm. Live football every Sunday and DJ from 5.00pm
Metro Bar & Grill Happy hour from 4pm-7pm,
Sundays 4pm-6pm.
Luna Reflex Wednesdays DJ and Karaoke,
Free entry
Luna Thursdays, Solihull’s biggest premium
student night
Fridays, DJ and weekly theme nights
Saturdays, chart, dance and good times
GONE GIRL
starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike
Affleck had practiced his best
innocent face for weeks but
it wasn’t fooling anyone
MAZE RUNNER
based on the best-selling novel by
James Dashner
TEENAGE MUTANT
NINJA TURTLES
starring Megan Fox, Alan Ritchson
and Will Arnett
For full details of all
entertainment and
nightlife in Solihull go to
www.solihullbid.co.uk/
whats-on
Replay Sundays, music and free entry all night
Luna, High Street 0121 227 2924
www.lunasolihull.com
Après, Poplar Road 0121 709 1661
www.apresbars.com
O’Neill’s, Poplar Road 0121 711 3761
www.oneills.co.uk
The Coach House, Herbert Road 0121 709 0946
www.coachhousepubsolihull.co.uk
Hogshead, Station Road 0121 711 3630
www.hogsheadsolihull.co.uk
Slug and Lettuce, Touchwood 0121 711 2605
www.slugandlettuce.co.uk
The Lazy Cow, Warwick Road 0121 704 1567
www.thelazycowsolihull.co.uk
Missoula, High Street 0121 705 7422
www.missoulabars.co.uk
The Assembly Rooms, Poplar Road 0121 711
6990 www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk
The Masons Arms, High Street 0121 709 1352
www.themasonsarmssolihull.co.uk
The Royal British Legion Club on Union Road is holding a WW1
Commemoration Day on 13th September 2014 with all
proceeds going to the 2014 Poppy Appeal.
There will be specialist stalls, children’s
attractions, memorabilia, cadet unit displays,
a short talk on WW1 history and WW1 style
food. Music and video of the period will also
be played. For details contact 0121 705 0742
9
LEISURE
Solihull
Food
FeStival
RETURNS 3-4 OCTOBER
Solihull’s Big Taste Festival, a mouth watering weekend of
fabulous flavours to tempt and tease the taste buds
Discover the specially-created menus from the
cafés, bars and restaurants to taste and plenty of
family entertainment across the two days.
There’s lots to do for children too: Bring along the
family to be entertained on the Saturday with the
antics of our amazing unicycling juggling balloon
modeller, and take part in build a bears colouring
competition or try your hand at hoola hooping!
Visitors can also purchase all things for foodie
lovers at the traditional markets along the High
Street and Mell Square.
BRAND NEW FOR 2014
Live music stage with free entertainment from
bands such as Solihull Jazz Festival favourites Ricky
Cool and The In Crowd, The Broombusters and
Souled Out 2 Funk.
Why not sit back and enjoy the fun, with a glass of
champagne in hand, from the Vintage Bus Bar;
back by popular demand, throughout both days of
the event, in Mell Square.
Check out the cooking demonstration by Monica Price, UK
Nutritional Advisor and supporter of the Love Food Hate Waste
Campaign. Monica will be sharing delicious recipes to use up
leftovers, handy hints and tips for storing food to make it last
longer. For more details go to www.monica-price.co.uk
The following restaurants and bars will
be in Mell Square throughout The Big
Taste selling taster dishes from their
menus. Whilst in town why not spend
time grazing in Mell Square from the
fabulous selection below:
Assembly Rooms; The White
Swan; Solihull Theatre Café;
Cappuccino; Metro Bar and
Grill, The Delhi; handmade
burger Co. The Ramada George
Hotel; Missoula; Slug and
Lettuce; Après; Coast to Coast;
Giraffe; O’Neill’s; Ask Italian
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For more details go to
www.solihullbid.co.uk
Après, Poplar Road 0121 709 1661
www.apresbars.com
Coast to Coast, Touchwood 0121 709 4562
www.c2crestaurants.com
Metro Bar & Grill, Warwick Road 0121 705 9495
www.metrobarandgrill.co.uk
The George Ramada Hotel, 0121 711 2121
www.ramadasolihullhotel.co.uk
The Assembly Rooms, Poplar Road 0121 711 6990
www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk
Ask Italian, Touchwood 0121 704 0161
www.askitalian.co.uk
Giraffe, Touchwood 0121 704 3355
www.giraffe.net
Missoula, High Street 0121 705 7422
www.missoulabars.co.uk
Slug and Lettuce, Touchwood 0121 711 2605
www.slugandlettuce.co.uk
The Delhi, Warwick Road 0121 705 1020
www.thedelhi.com
Cappuccino, Drury Lane 0121 705 0164
www.cappuccinosolihull.co.uk
handmade burger Co., Touchwood 0121 711 3004
www.handmadeburger.co.uk
O’Neill’s, Poplar Road 0121 711 3761
www.oneills.co.uk
Solihull Theatre Café, Library Square 0121 704
6813 www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk
The White Swan, Station Road 0121 711 5180
www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk
Free Big Taste Bags and Chef’s Hats* will be
handed out throughout the Festival in Mell
Square together with this Voucher Booklet.
The Big Taste Voucher Booklet contains
vouchers from over 30 restaurants giving
you over 30 reasons to keep coming back
to dine in Solihull
*
subject to availability
GROOMING
John Lewis
Chrome Shaving Set with Bowl £45
Molton Brown
Balancing Face Wash
100ml - £18.00
Skin Calm Shaving
Cream 150ml - £22.00
11
James Bushell Autumn 2014/Winter
2015 Hair Fashion Forecast
Colour
and Style
John Lewis
Remington PG6050 Pioneer All-InOne Grooming Gift Pack £27.50
T
he range of mail grooming products is growing, fueled by
the increasing focus on men’s fashion, shaving and
beards like never before.
Body Shop
Maca Root Shave Cream £5.50 125ml
White Musk Aftershave Balm £9.00
In Solihull has been looking at what is available in the
town to help and inspire men to look good in the office
and out on the town.
John Lewis
Acqua di Parma Essenza
Aftershave Balm 100ml £39
Menrock Sicilian Lime Shaving
Cream 100ml £9.95
For the upcoming season, Ombre strands are
set to continue one of the hottest hair trends
and we are mixing it up in a unique way with
exotic hues from jade and turquoise to
purple, pink and even orange. Think Katie
Perry, Lilly Allen and Kesha. Ombre is no
longer being played around with subtle
browns and blondes but unique, unexpected
colours that are sure to get noticed.
Trends include Side Partings. Upswept,
pulled back low, loose, wavy or straight, the
side parting was very popular at the
International Fashion Weeks.
L’Occitane
Almond Shower Oil, £17.50
Divine Cream, £72
Shea Butter Hand Cream, £19
Styles are also leaning towards a wetter,
sleeker look, commonly referred to as ‘The
Sporty’ or ‘Post Workout’ Hair, ideal for ladies
on the move seeking quick, simple yet high
fashion look.
The hairstyle, which was already found last
season, now comes as a fresh new look, not
the cool back-combed style but with a
classic centre parting
James Bushell Mill Lane 0121 711 1100
or [email protected]
Company Name
Body Shop Mill Lane 0121 711 2474
www.thebodyshop.co.uk
Molton Brown High Street 0121 709 0927
www.moltonbrown.co.uk
John Lewis Touchwood 0121 704 1121
www.johnlewis.com/solihull
L'OCCITANE Touchwood 0121 709 1225
www.loccitane.com
800
3758
offer a 0844
walk in
service
which takes 45 mins
so is a perfect opportunity for Company
workers to
pop
Name
in on their lunch. The offer is as0844
follows
800ladies
3758
£15 blowdry £25 cut and blowdry and gents
£20 this includes a full hair service with wash.
Company Name
0121 709 1709
0844 800 3758
13
WORK
The CIPP works
to tackle the UK’s
growing financial
cancer
Solihull is
the business
Payday loans and the pain they cause hasn’t
been far away from the news headlines for the
last 18 months. Furthermore, despite the
government’s tough line warning against using
them, the number of companies offering payday
loans and extortionate interest rates is rising.
Without any real sign of legislation being
implemented, the Solihull-based Chartered
Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP), has taken
action to form a partnership with many of the UK’s
leading payroll outsourcers to offer Credit Union
loan repayment options, free of charge.
Lindsay Melvin, CEO of the CIPP, said: “Our hope
is that all employers and payroll providers will
collectively support employees in managing their
debt by not charging for processing Credit Union
loans through payroll.
With two sites in Solihull, National Grid
are reaching out to students who
want to gain work skills
National Grid, based on Homer
Road, are launching a supported
internship programme from
September 2015 for students
with learning disabilities
The project will involve interns from local schools
studying and working at National Grid, gaining
valuable work-based skills and experience to
support their ambitions of gaining permanent paid
employment. The pilot in Warwick was so
successful that two of the interns there were
offered permanent positions with National Grid and
its supply chain partners, whilst several other
interns have opportunities in the pipeline too.
Following a successful pilot of the EmployAbility –
Let’s Work Together programme, developed by National
Grid staff at their Warwick office in collaboration with
Round Oak School.
Louise Saunders, a National Grid manager and
business sponsor for the programme is keen to
share information and to raise interest with other
like-minded local businesses. Contact her at
[email protected].
Solihull Town Centre plays a significant role in the
economic success of the wider area, offering a
range of high quality businesses providing all types
of services and employment. Solihull is a great
commercial location, with it's easy access to the
country's motorway and rail networks, as well as
Birmingham Airport, making it the perfect central
location for companies of all types and sizes to do
business from. As it is one of the best places to
live in the country it is an easy place for businesses
to invest in Solihull and attract high quality well
qualified staff. Solihull for Success a council run
initiative helps both job seekers find work and
provides potential employers with the opportunity
to promote their businesses and gives specialist
support and advice. Contact 0121 704 6151
For the full town centre
business directory scan
the QR code or go to
www.solihullbid.co.uk
“As a result we’re encouraging employers to be
proactive in communicating to staff the
advantages of going to a Credit Union instead
of to a payday loan provider, with the advantage
of having a free mechanism to repay their loans
and saving to cope with emergencies. This act
of generosity provided by many in the payroll
industry will, hopefully, galvanise all businesses
to review their current policies relating to
employee debt.”
The advantage for businesses is that if
repayments are processed through the payroll
then the delinquency rate can be less than one
per cent, compared to eight per cent through
other methods.
Lindsay added: “There is no doubt that personal
debt worries can cause severe anxiety and
depression and that this in turn manifests itself
into increase, days off sick and reduced
productivity, so it is vital that employers recognise
this and support initiatives to mitigate this.”
For further information on how businesses and
payroll industries can get involved, please visit
www.cipp.org.uk
If you would like to feature on the
Business Services pages of this
magazine, or find out how Solihull BID
can work with you, please get in touch
with Dayna Winter, Business
Communications Coordinator at
[email protected] or
07805612214.
15
WORK
Solihull is well known as an attractive and friendly destination
for premium brand shopping with hundreds of UK,
international and boutique retailers packed into a
cosmopolitan, leafy town centre known for its relaxed
contemporary café, restaurant and entertainment culture.
You’llonlYFindit
inSolihull
Solihull town centre boasts 124
innovative independent businesses,
helping to give the town its
uniqueness and local character
These independent firms have helped to shape
the renaissance of the High Street and to ensure
that Solihull bucked the trend throughout the
recession with very few empty shops in the town
and a steady stream of new arrivals.
The sheer variety of independents in the town is
highlighted by family business Denco Thermal
who provide specialist insulation to both blue
chip and local companies and have worked on
prestigious projects such as the new
Birmingham Library. Other family run favourites
include independent coffee shop Cappuccino,
and BB Boutique selling children’s wear and gifts,
who also champion everything made locally.
There are also many independent businesses
and practices in the financial and legal
services sector, together with estate agents
and architects. Whatever business service you
require you are almost certain to find an
independent business who can help you based
on local experience and knowledge.
this just
www.solihullbid.co.uk
The official
Town Centre guide
Family favourite John Lewis is situated within the award
winning Touchwood shopping centre which boasts such
premium brands as Apple and Hollister.
There’s a myriad of international and home-grown food and
drink venues on offer in Solihull with something for everyone,
whether you’re looking for a leisurely lunch, a special evening
out, family occasions or a quick snack while you shop!
To find out more go to www.solihullbid.co.uk, a fully
responsive website, accessible whether you are at
home, in the office or on the go
Love unique businesses?
Scan the code to
use our specific
independent business
search tool
or find it online at
www.solihullbid.co.uk/independents
From Crib to Crèche
Designed in the UK sold in
Solihull, style can never
start too young
1 Charlie Romper suit £20 sizes from 3-24 months
2 Puppy dog reversible dress £28 from 3 months – 9 yrs
BB Boutique, High Street
0121 679 2355
2
1
August saw the fabulous Five Guys
American Burger restaurant touch
down in Touchwood. An American
favourite since 1986, serving handformed burgers cooked to perfection
on a grill along with fresh-cut fries.
There are reputedly 250,000 different
ways to order a burger at Five Guys!
www.fiveguys.co.uk 0121 704 1055
Thai Brasserie, on Station Road, is a
delightfully bijoux little restaurant. The
bright and spacy venue is elegantly
decorated with Thai-inspired art. The
Head Chef is a star in the making and
the exuberant friendliness of the staff
make it a real treat to dine here.
0121 704 0353
Popular venue Metro Bar & Grill,
on Warwick Road, has recently revealed
a stunning transformation, with a buzzy,
brasserie feel that’s bright and airy by
day and more intimate in the evening,
with a fantastic selection of steaks,
grills & seafood.
www.metrobarandgrill.co.uk
0121 705 9495