Losses top £360m at Aston Martin as increased US and China tariffs bite 

Aston Martin has reported pre-tax losses of more than £360m as the luxury car giant "navigated a highly challenging trading environment" including "heightened tariffs in the US and China". The listed company's chief executive said he expects a "material improvement in financial performance" for FY26.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/losses-top-360m-at-aston-martin-as-increased-us-and-china-tariffs-bite 

Revenues near £1bn at Nuneaton-based Holland & Barrett as historic retailer invests in its transformation 

Revenues have jumped towards the £1bn mark at Holland & Barrett in a "significant milestone" in its transformation programme, with the national retailer also reporting a record year of investment. 2025 was the most significant year of investment in the company's modern history. The retailer deployed £124m in capital expenditure, the highest level in a single year, £43.5m of which was dedicated to technology development. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/revenues-near-1bn-at-holland-barrett-as-historic-retailer-invests-in-its-transformation 

New fund for businesses in the West Midlands 

£50 million has been secured by the West Midlands to support businesses and the regions economic growth. Targeting advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, and creative immersive technology clusters, the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund  (LIPF) will help scale up these clusters of high-potential innovation.  

https://www.publicsectorexecutive.com/articles/record-ps50m-innovation-deal-back-new-generation-tech-pioneers-west-midlands 

South Korean manufacturer launches Exhall Midlands base 

A South Korean manufacturer of carbide cutting tools has established a new base in the Midlands. Korloy UK Ltd has taken Unit B2 at Loades Ecoparc, Blackhorse Road in Exhall, near Coventry. Korloy UK Ltd is a newly established UK subsidiary of Korloy Inc, a leading cutting tool manufacturer headquartered in South Korea. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/south-korean-manufacturer-launches-midlands-base 

Engineering group acquires Warwickshire drainage specialist 

Warwickshire-based civil engineering, drainage and sewer specialist, Wilkinson Environmental, has been acquired by Ipsum Group. This deal is part of Ipsum’s plans to expand its offering of engineering services across the UK.  

Engineering services group expands water capabilities with drainage specialist acquisition | TheBusinessDesk.com 

Support for Rugby Shopfronts 

Businesses in Rugby will be able to apply for support to redesign their shop fronts. The Town Centre Grant Frontages Schemes is a 4-year scheme that will allow landlords to apply for £5,000 to get a new shopfront designed and go through the planning process, with a further £20,000 grant available to fund the works.  

https://www.rugby.gov.uk/w/shop-front-grants-give-town-centre-boost 

HORIBA MIRA Joins Midlands Defence Council 

Some of the region's biggest employers and several SMEs will sit on the new Midlands Defence and Security Industry Council. They have been tasked with attracting new investment to create jobs by collectively championing and advocating for the Midlands defence and security industries.  

Defence is already a significant component of the Midlands economy with about 1,000 companies in defence or related sectors, employing 50,000 people. 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/horiba-mira_defence-midlands-horibamira-activity-7439974205204484096-UuCI 

Rising wage costs threaten advanced manufacturers’ global competitiveness, industry leaders warn 

Rising wage costs are making manufacturers more uncompetitive on the world stage -the costs of employing staff - with wage costs having risen by up to 30 per cent in the past few years - is now making many businesses uncompetitive internationally and acting as a disincentive to recruitment, according to round table with local manufacturing businesses. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/rising-wage-costs-threaten-advanced-manufacturers-global-competitiveness-industry-leaders-warn 

Historic Stafford town centre hotel hits the market with £2.5m asking price 

Grade II-listed Bridgewood House in Stafford town centre which features a bar and restaurant has been placed on the market with with a freehold asking price of £2.5m.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/historic-stafford-town-centre-hotel-hits-the-market-with-2.5m-asking-price 

Aldi store to replace office building in Rugby  

The disused former CEMEX/ Rugby Cement HQ office building in Rugby town centre on Evreux Way will become an Aldi food store. The new store is expected to create up to 40 jobs and the approved plans include enhanced pedestrian routes and a new crossing to make it safer and more convenient for people to walk between the site and nearby streets. They also include improved links to the Rugby Central shopping centre, which may itself undergo redevelopment pending planning approval. 

Go-ahead for Aldi store on site of derelict office building - “this decision is very positive news for Rugby town centre” | Insider Media 

Housebuilder aims to make “real contribution” to Nuneaton with new HQ 

A housebuilder has relocated its headquarters to Nuneaton and is looking to make a "real contribution" to the town. Springbourne Homes has moved to a newly renovated, custom designed office on Coton Road. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/housebuilder-aims-to-make-real-contribution-to-nuneaton-with-new-hq 

Work starts on Prologis Park Coventry’s 150k sq ft expansion 

Work is now underway on the 150,000 sq ft expansion of Prologis Park Coventry, a major industrial hub in the West Midlands, on the Bedworth/ Coventry border. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site with representatives from Birkdale Sales, a Coventry-based wholesaler of fencing and gate accessories, following the signing of a ten-year lease for DC14, a 64,390 sq ft build-to-suit facility. The expansion also includes DC15, a 83,606 sq ft speculative build.  

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/work-starts-on-prologis-park-coventrys-150k-sq-ft-expansion 

Coleshill deal paves way for 145k sq ft logistics development 

A vacant site in Coleshill has been acquired to enable the development of 145,000 sq ft of grade A urban logistics accommodation. Urban logistics property developer and investment manager Chancerygate purchased the site on Faraday Avenue from Cracknore Hams Hall for an undisclosed sum. 

The proposed scheme within the established Hams Hall industrial and logistics location will comprise six leasehold units ranging from 12,000 sq ft to 47,000 sq ft. 

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/coleshill-deal-paves-way-for-145k-sq-ft-logistics-development 

West Midlands to highlight more than £20bn of opportunities at UKREiiF 

The West Midlands is set to showcase more than £20bn of investment opportunities at the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum. 

Under the banner of 'Momentum and Delivery: It Starts Here', the West Midlands delegation is heading to Leeds for the landmark event, taking place between 19–21 May.  

Organised by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) and led by the mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the delegation includes the region's seven local authorities and a large number of private sector sponsors including three premier partners for 2026: E.ON, Lendlease and Lovell.   

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/west-midlands-to-highlight-more-than-20bn-of-opportunities-at-ukreiif 

Something ‘stirring’ under The Railway Arches in Leamington

A local distiller is mixing it up for gin lovers with the launch of a new experience designed to inspire his next product. Alchemy After Hours, which starts on April 2nd, invites visitors to get creative with new experimental botanicals in a fun 90-minute session at Warwickshire Gin Company.