2007-09-23

 Birmingham is Britain's second largest city, also is the British important industrial manufacturer city. "Birmingham" means home (ham) of the people (ing) of the tribal leader Birm or Beorma.The population of Birmingham is approximately one million people and there are almost five and a half million people in the West Midlands region. There are three universities and over 430 schools in the City. Birmingham is the regional capital. It is the economic, social and cultural focus of the West Midlands region, which extends north-south from Stoke-on-Trent to Ross-on-Wye and east-west from Oswestry to Rugby. Over 5 million people live in the West Midlands region.
Birmingham boasts unique and enthralling attractions, superb shopping, the best in orchestra, ballet and theatre at world-class venues, the NEC, exciting national and international sporting events, award-winning restaurants and bars, buzzing nightlife and entertainment to suit every taste.

Origins of Birmingham
In the Saxon 6th Century Birmingham was just one small settlement in thick forest - the home (ham) of the tribe (ing) of a leader called Birm or Beorma.

Geography played a major role in the transformation of Birmingham from a hamlet worth 20 shillings in 1086 into Britain's centre of manufacturing in the 20th Century. It was a dry site with a good supply of water, routes converging at Deritend Ford across the River Rea. There was easy access to coal, iron and timber.

The de Bermingham family held the Lordship of the manor of Birmingham for four hundred years from around 1150. In 1156 Peter de Birmingham obtained a market charter from Henry II and in 1250 William de Bermingham obtained permission to hold a four day fair at Whitsun.

In addition the family allowed many freedoms to their tenants and there were no restrictive obstacles to trade. Developing as a market centre, Birmingham also saw the beginnings of small scale smithing and metal working. Craftsmen were listed amongst the taxpayers in 1327. When Leland visited Birmingham in 1538 there were 1500 people in 200 houses, one main street with a number of side streets, markets and many smiths who were selling goods all over England.

By supplying the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War (1642-46) with swords, pikes and armour, Birmingham emerged with a strong reputation as a metal working centre. By 1731 the population had grown to 23,000 and manufacturing business thrived. By the time of the Industrial Revolution Birmingham had become the industrial and commercial centre of the Midlands.

Useful links:

1. Birmingham city council
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/
Tel: 0121 303 1111
Email: contact@birmingham.gov.uk

2. Birmingham regional chamber of commerce
http://www.birminghamchamber.com/
p: 205-324-2100
f: 205-324-2560

3. Birmingham chamber of commerce and industry
http://www.birmingham-chamber.co.uk/
General:
Tel: + 44 (0) 121 454 6171
Fax: + 44 (0)121 455 8670

International Trade
Jonathan Webber
Tel: 0121 607 1758
e-mail: j.webber@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Institute of Asian Businesses
Dipak Shelat
Tel: 0121 607 1824
e-mail: d.shelat@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Business Development Group
Michael Mott
Tel: 0121 607 1844
e-mail: m.mott@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Membership and Marketing
Henrik Court
Tel: 0121 607 1780
e-mail: h.court@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Business Start-Up
Khawar Hussain
Tel: 0121 607 1909
e-mail: k.hussain@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Business Venture
Soo Brown
Tel: 0121 450 4235
e-mail: s.brown@birminghamchamber.org.uk 

Solihull Chamber
Sharon Cox
Tel: 0121 781 7384
e-mail: s.cox@birminghamchamber.org.uk