Doing business
It’s a job these days finding somewhere in Birmingham where you can’t conduct business, such are the number of suitable hotels and venues, but for face-to-face results you can’t top the NEC’s record. The centre attracts up to four million visitors and holds 180 exhibitions per year. Away from its 21 halls – totalling 200,000m2 – there are also 44 conference rooms. Beyond compare. See: www.necgroup.co.uk

Cool hotel
The Malmaison Birmingham was the winner in the Best Hotel category at the Heart of England Awards in 2004, and still feels very much on the pulse. A converted Royal Mail sorting office in the Mailbox shopping centre, it’s edgy, colourful and funky. It has 189 rooms, meeting space for up to 45 people, a brasserie, bar and even a ‘petit spa’.
See: www.malmaison-birmingham.com    

Hip restaurant
Owned by Michelin-starred chef Andreas Antona, Simpsons Restaurant is one of the most aspirational eateries in town. Set in an atmospheric listed building in the Edgbaston suburb, its diverse menu specialises in classic French cuisine. Private dining can be arranged for up to 20, while corporate days can be arranged at the in-house ‘Ecole de Cuisine’. The restaurant also has four bedrooms on site. See: www.simpsonsrestaurant.com

Happening bar
Sister bars Mechu and Après are both located on Summer Row, close to the city centre. The former is considered the most exclusive nightspot in Birmingham and, if the door staff approve of what you’re wearing, offers a high-end experience. Après has an impressive Alpine design and is another that makes for a sassy, sexy night out. Both bars can be hired for
private functions. See: www.summerrow.com

Must-see sight
Birmingham isn’t overly renowned for its postcard material, but that’s far from saying there’s nothing to see. There’s a large amount of public art and sculpture – including the infamous ‘Floozie in the Jacuzzi’ in Victoria Square – while Cadbury World and the Royal Mint offer unique experiences for chocoholics and coin collectors alike. A trip to watch the currently resurgent Aston Villa Football Club is among the many further options.

Getting downtown
Birmingham Airport is situated eight miles east of the city centre. A 24-hour official taxi rank sits just outside the main terminals, and a cab into the heart of town will generally set you back £15 to £16. The route is well signposted for cars.   Birmingham International station – reachable by a short, free Sky Rail service – runs services to the centrally located Birmingham New Street every 10 to fifteen minutes.

Getting there
A central location at the crossroads of the M6, M5 and M40 and frequent train links mean Birmingham is easy to reach by road and rail – services from London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly, for example, both run twice hourly and take around 90 minutes.

In the air, Flybe operates services to Birmingham from Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey and Jersey; British Airways from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow; Eastern Airways from Inverness, the Isle of Man and Newcastle, and bmibaby from Belfast, Edinburgh and Newquay.

INSIDER’S TIP
“Those arriving at or departing from Birmingham Airport at peak times (7-9am and 4.30-6pm) should leave plenty of time – up to an hour – for the transfer between the airport and the city centre, or even consider the fast and efficient rail link service.

“Business travellers with cars should also remember that the city centre is pedestrianised and to choose a hotel with its own parking spaces as off-street parking is very limited”
Terry Grainger, HRG UK

BACK