The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[Mister E]

Indeed. I think a lot of people in Birmingham don't see what's going on. It has been named number one destination of the future for foreign direct investment (Columbia and the Czech Republic were second and third). It has been listed in the top five cities in Europe in eight important industrial sectors (Manchester - centre of the universe - was named in one). It has been named as the most investable city in the UK, sixth in Europe (London was tenth). It is the number one regional city for business start-ups. It is the number one destination of choice for migrating cockneys. A few years ago I mentioned in the Birmingham news thread that I looked forward to the Jewellery Quarter becoming part of the city centre and somebody countered that it would not happen in our lifetimes. Does anybody think that it is not now?

Look at the areas that surround the city centre proper - JQ, Digbeth, Edgbaston, the Gun Quarter, Aston - they're all becoming increasingly part of it. There is huge investment planned at Aston University, Aston Science Park, Aston Advanced Manufacturing Hub, Aston Cross and, everything crossed, Aston Villa. The area already has assets. It is an area of the second biggest city-region in the world's fifth largest economy, a city-region that is about to invest about £8bn in various infrastructure projects in the next ten years. The Chinese are already a part of that, and want to be a bigger part. Hopefully in one project in particular.

Brilliant post, Percy.
Do you work for the City tourist team?! - you should be!

[Toronto Villa]

Having been away for a number of years and really knowing the city prior to 1994 or so, it is amazing at how the place has grown and developed. Next time I am over I would love to get a better taste for the changes from someone who knows and has lived them. That's a really nice summary Percy.

[The Edge]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

[Mister E]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it West Brom?

[The Edge]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

[cdbearsfan]

It's still part of Greater Birmingham.

The lucky, lucky bastards.

[dave.woodhall]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

No it wasn't.

[kieron]

Indeed. I think a lot of people in Birmingham don't see what's going on. It has been named number one destination of the future for foreign direct investment (Columbia and the Czech Republic were second and third). It has been listed in the top five cities in Europe in eight important industrial sectors (Manchester - centre of the universe - was named in one). It has been named as the most investable city in the UK, sixth in Europe (London was tenth). It is the number one regional city for business start-ups. It is the number one destination of choice for migrating cockneys. A few years ago I mentioned in the Birmingham news thread that I looked forward to the Jewellery Quarter becoming part of the city centre and somebody countered that it would not happen in our lifetimes. Does anybody think that it is not now?

Look at the areas that surround the city centre proper - JQ, Digbeth, Edgbaston, the Gun Quarter, Aston - they're all becoming increasingly part of it. There is huge investment planned at Aston University, Aston Science Park, Aston Advanced Manufacturing Hub, Aston Cross and, everything crossed, Aston Villa. The area already has assets. It is an area of the second biggest city-region in the world's fifth largest economy, a city-region that is about to invest about £8bn in various infrastructure projects in the next ten years. The Chinese are already a part of that, and want to be a bigger part. Hopefully in one project in particular.

Superb, informative post - thanks, Percy.

[The Edge]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

No it wasn't.

I meant Sandwell. Wasn't that once part of Birmingham?

[The Edge]

One thing I do like about the takeover is that it's a slap in the face to George Osborne who callously diverted the Chinese business leaders away from Birmingham to his favourite project - the Northern Powerhouse better known as Manchester.

[Lastfootstamper]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

No it wasn't.

I meant Sandwell. Wasn't that once part of Birmingham?

No.

And West Bromwich General, if no-one's mentioned it further up.

[Steve67]

I detect more optimism today?

I like the fact that we will link with players from China.  This could be a win-win because China want to win the World Cup, meaning that they want quality players, who, they will be potentially, sending to Villa Park for further development.  Sounds like a good idea to me.  Let's be honest, if we had been taken over by, say. a German, and he was planning to do the same thing with the players, we would be very enthusiastic about this.  It will take time for those players to develop of course, but the future will look good too, once they are up to standard.  I like the plan that Dr X has put together.

[UK Redsox]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

The Cope grew up in Tammuf. Are you lot claiming him as well ?

[The Edge]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

No it wasn't.

I meant Sandwell. Wasn't that once part of Birmingham?

No.

And West Bromwich General, if no-one's mentioned it further up.

OK.  On his Wiki page it states he was born in Hallam hospital in West Brom which is now Sandwell General hospital.He was christened in Selly Oak church.  So he's not a Brummie therefore can't be included in our imaginary music museum  which was suggested for a bit of fun by
an earlier poster. I think knickers can now be untwisted.

[The Edge]

Steve Gibbons Band, Prefects, Spizz Energy, GBH, Drongos

Spizz is from Knowle.
What about Ozzy?!

I believe Phil Lynott was born in Birmingham.

or was it Smethwick?

Which was part of Birmingham until the boundary changes in the 70s.

No it wasn't.

I meant Sandwell. Wasn't that once part of Birmingham?

No.

And West Bromwich General, if no-one's mentioned it further up.

OK.  On his Wiki page it states he was born in Hallam hospital in West Brom which is now Sandwell General hospital.He was christened in Selly Oak church.  So he's not a Brummie therefore can't be included in our imaginary music museum  which was suggested for a bit of fun by
an earlier poster. I think knickers can now be untwisted.