Unemployment up 7% in the West Midlands

Latest unemployment figures reveal that 16,000 more people are out of work in the West Midlands, yet an unchanged scene for the East

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Hairdresser made famous after cutting Beckham's hair sets up academy

A hairdresser who became famous after cutting David Beckham's hair is setting up an academy to train hundreds of young people.

Adee Phelan left school with few qualifications. The government is now backing him to set up academies throughout the UK to train young people and help them get jobs. Our business correspondent, Mark Gough reports

Sky Blues bid accepted

Ricoh Arena firm reacts to bid result

“ACL has received notification of the Administrator's decision to accept Otium Entertainment’s bid but has not yet had the opportunity to interrogate the detail, nor a chance to talk through the implications with the Football League. The Board will consider its response in due course when more information is available.”

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Sky Blues bid accepted

Sky Blues bid winner may not be popular with fans

The administrator for the part of Coventry City which is in administration has acknowledged the outcome of a bidding process for a part of the club, may not be popular with some supporters.

Otium Entertainment Group Limited, a company connected to the current owners Sisu, has had a bid accepted.

"I realise and appreciate the end result of the sale process will not necessarily be welcomed by a large number of Coventry City fans."

– Paul Appleton, administrator for Coventry City FC Ltd

Sisu have been involved in a long running row with the Ricoh Arena over rent costs.

The company has said it is planning to move the Sky Blues out of Coventry, whilst it builds a new stadium.

Sky Blues bid accepted

Winning Sky Blues bidder connected to current owners

The administrator for the part of Coventry City which is in administration has said the bid put forward by Otium Entertainment Group Limited was 'substantially more' than the three other offers received.

The company is connected to Sisu, who took over the Sky Blues in 2007.

The bid from Otium Entertainment Group Limited was substantially more than any of the other three bids received

and was the bid which gave the greatest return to the unsecured, non-connected creditors of CCFC Limited by a considerable margin.

– Paul Appleton, administrator for Coventry City FC Ltd
Sky Blues bid accepted

'No bid' from Ricoh firm for Sky Blues

Ricoh bosses had put in an indicative bid for the club Credit: Jon Buckle/EMPICS Sport/PA

The company which runs the Ricoh Arena, is no longer trying to buy the part of Coventry City which is in administration.

ITV News Central has been told that Arena Coventry Limited, which is half-owned by Coventry City Council, has not put in a 'best and final' bid.

The company earlier this week put in an indicative bid for Coventry City Ltd but has since pulled out.

Four final offers have been put forward for the company.

Two of those are understood to be the the Sky Blues' current owners Sisu - and American property tycoon Preston Haskell IV.

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Sky Blues bid accepted

Coventry owners bid to keep control of club

ITV News Central understands the current owners of Coventry City have put in a bid to buy the part of the club which is in administration.

Sisu are among four parties who have entered bids for Coventry City FC Ltd, ahead of a deadline set at 12pm today.

A consortium led by Preston Haskell IV, an American property tycoon, has also put forward a 'best and final' bid.

Sisu took over the Sky Blues in 2007 and owns another part of the club, Coventry City Holdings Ltd.

The hedge fund are planning to move the club out of Coventry for three years whilst they build a new stadium.

Sky Blues bid accepted

US property tycoon among Sky Blues bidders

Coventry's suspended life president Joe Elliott, is part of the consortium Credit: Steve Mitchell/EMPICS Sport/PA

ITV News Central can confirm an American property tycoon has put in a final bid for the part of Coventry City which is in administration.

Preston Haskell IV is working with the club's suspended life president Joe Elliott and former vice-chairman Gary Hoffman.

The group is one of four interested parties who put in 'best and final' bids for Coventry City FC Ltd before a deadline of midday today.

Sources in Haskell's camp say the US businessman is hoping the administrator will decide on a preferred buyer 'as soon as possible'.

New burns unit set up

Doctor hopes burns unit becomes top treatment centre

by Chris Halpin

The head of the new specialist burns unit in Birmingham says he hopes it will become a world leader in helping treat injuries.

The centre is led by the Director, Mr Naiem Moiemen, a consultant in burns and plastics at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

New burns unit set up

Skin replacement techniques help burns victim

by Chris Halpin

Grahame Elsmore, from Wednesbury suffered 60 per cent burns nearly 20 years ago when he had an accident with flammable liquid in his garage.

He says the treatment techniques and facilities have changed unimaginably in the two decades since then.

He's now trialling skin replacement techniques which are making his scar tissue much softer and elastic, enabling him to get much more movement in his arms.

Since his accident he's had a 13-year-old son with his partner - something he says at his darkest times he never dreamed of happening.

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