● 'No compromise' on New Street Station design
A city development chief said there "will be no compromise" on the design of Birmingham's flagship New Street Station after plans to retain a grubby 1960s-built bridge were dropped.
The firm declaration came as council planners waved through changes to the New Street Station car park design. But Network Rail's initial plans to retain the Navigation Street footbridge were withdrawn following widespread objections.
Council development director Waheed Nazir said: "It was always clear from the city's perspective that we would not compromise on the design for the station."
● New future for Snobs nightclub
Bosses at Snobs nightclub were promising to recreate its unique atmosphere at its new home a matter of weeks ahead of the historic move.
The Post revealed the final night at the current home of Birmingham's oldest nightclub was to take place on Sunday, September 21. The club moved to a larger venue, the former Vudu Lounge, in Smallbrook Queensway, in a £2 million relocation after more than 40 years of loud music proved too much of a problem for its ageing Paradise Circus home.
● Aston Tavern owners' Michelin star plans
The owners of a newly restored historic pub in inner-city Birmingham say they want to turn it into a Michelin-star restaurant.
The 1904 Aston Tavern, in the shadow of Villa Park, lay derelict for two decades before being restored under a joint venture between the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the pub's new owner and operator Chelle Property, run by entrepreneurs Michelle and Paul Monaghan.
But they want the Aston Tavern to be much more than a match day pub for Villa fans, with a restaurant, and bed and breakfast targeting business customers from a proposed industrial estate and visitors to Aston Hall.
Work started on one of the most prominent regeneration schemes in Birmingham city centre – with architects promising an "exemplar" student housing development.
Alumno Developments is investing £30 million to deliver a canalside scheme at Eastside Locks, which will be one of the first prominent buildings visitors see as they arrive at the proposed HS2 Curzon Street Station.
The Alumno scheme will see about 625 student homes built next to the two Birmingham City University (BCU) buildings.
● New plans drawn up for V Building
It was one of the most ambitious proposals in history for a Birmingham city centre building – and ultimately proved to be a step too far.
Less extravagant plans were drawn up for the site of the proposed V Building, next to Alpha Tower.
Developer Dandara was working up proposals for an 18 to 23-storey apartment block on the prominent site, next to the Arena Central development, with commercial space.
The plans were submitted to Birmingham City Council were for a building with 319 homes at the heart of a key regeneration site, overlooking the Paradise Circus scheme.
● City MP defies leader Ed Miliband
Labour shadow minister MP Shabana Mahmood vowed to defy party leader Ed Miliband – and continue supporting a boycott of goods from Israeli settlements.
The Birmingham MP was ordered to change her stance by the leadership after taking part in a protest which led to the temporary closure of a supermarket in Birmingham city centre.
Labour officials even issued a statement which appeared to suggest she had changed her position.
But Ms Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, insisted she would not back down - and acknowledged she had "a difference of view with my party".
● Next phase for city university
The next phase of the £300 million regeneration of the University of Birmingham was launched as the institute started its hunt to find a developer.
The university is planning to build almost 180 bedrooms in a new block of student halls and a neighbouring sports facility next to the Grange Road Gate area in the south west of the Edgbaston campus.
● City wins battle for HS2 concessions
City bosses won a series of major concessions from government to ensure Birmingham got the best deal possible from High Speed 2.
The city council, along with transport authority Centro, raised six major concerns over the development of the high-speed rail line - including the design and layout of the Curzon Street Station, possible closure of Saltley Viaduct, the new rail maintenance depot and the loss of parks and open space.
The Government came back and agreed to all of Birmingham's requests.
● Harrison Drape poised for go-ahead
The redevelopment of a vacant former curtain factory in Digbeth was set take a major step forward after planners gave it the green light.
The former Harrison Drape building, in Bradford Street, is to be partly demolished, converted and extended while a further three buildings will be constructed to provide a total of 313 apartments.
The new vision for the two-acre site comprised 73 studios, 152 one-bedroom and 88 two-bedroom flats as well as a 2,420 sq ft retail unit, parking and landscaping and will benefit from its close proximity to Bullring.
