The British Independent Retailers Association (bira) has announced that it has purchased 225a Bristol Road, a 4,000 sq. ft. building at the rear of its present premises in Birmingham, enabling the association to expand its operations on that site.
Commenting on the acquisition Group CEO Alan Hawkins explained that having two freehold premises within five metres of each other would enable the long-term plan of bringing all the staff to one location to come to fruition.

The Middleton Cheney (Banbury) premises will be sold over the course of the next year or so. Arrangements are being made to assist and transfer as many members of staff from Middleton Cheney to Birmingham as is possible.

The rationale behind the move is that the various teams will work better when they are all in one location as, for example, the accounts and membership teams are presently split over the two sites. It is also hoped that members will find it easier having just one location to deal with.

The modernisation programme that will be undertaken on both buildings will give bira a more forward looking and contemporary feel as it continues to represent members challenged by the structural changes underway in the high street and elsewhere. Finally, when completed, it will lead to a reduction in operating costs.

The move to the new premises is not expected to happen before autumn 2016, as a thorough refurbishment programme is needed at both 225 and 225a Bristol Road, Birmingham.