Tara Tomes is Managing Director of innovative PR and events agency EAST VILLAGE. She is also Trustee for Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer and an Ambassador for LoveBrum. Here she speaks to UBC on why Birmingham is a city to be celebrated:
“Why wouldn’t you want to be part of a city as exciting as Birmingham?” says Tara Tomes, who recently relocated her expanding PR company, EAST VILLAGE, to UBC’s 65 Church Street offices in the heart of Colmore Business District.
“For too long the city has been overlooked.
“It is finally reaching its potential, and receiving the national and international acclaim it deserves,” she said.
“Projects like New Street Station, Grand Central and John Lewis, the new Mailbox, Library of Birmingham, and the Paradise redevelopment all helps showcase what’s really happening in the city. Not to mention the amazing businesses, brands and culture we already have here.”
Tara acknowledges that it has required a phenomenal amount of behind-the-scenes work to reach this point, and now Birmingham is shining in the global spotlight.
“I think the work of the city council and Business Birmingham really is something to be celebrated. We’re getting big brands into our city – the likes of Deutsche Bank, HSBC, ASOS – and it’s because Birmingham has proven that it’s a place to really do business and succeed.”
She added: “One of the big benefits of setting up a business here, in comparison to London, is that it’s a much smaller landscape in terms of networking. So you have the opportunity as an SME to sit in the same room as partners and directors at the ‘big name’ firms. This is really unique, and something that organisations like BPS Birmingham help business owners to achieve.”
As such, it’s no coincidence that Tara decided to relocate to 65 Church Street from their original base in Edgbaston.
“I thought it time to sit alongside some of the best agencies in the business,” she said. “We’ve got a number of clients based centrally, including Malmaison, thestudio and Great Western Arcade, which makes working with them much easier.”
Tara is also Deputy Chair of Birmingham Future, which has a large presence in the Colmore BID area. She is also involved in two regional charities – Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer and LoveBrum – which are dedicated to supporting and developing the local area.
As such, a central location is essential, in addition to an environment that can support Tara’s busy schedule.
“The location of the office is fantastic; we’re working more effectively now that we’re based in the city centre, and we can see clients quicker,” she said.
“I viewed a number of offices in various locations and, much to my surprise, the one I really wanted was in our price range. We have a stunning view of the Jewellery Quarter and it’s just the right size for our team (and all of our event props!)”
Commenting on the support staff at UBC’s 65 Church Street, she added: “Sue and Mollie are fantastic; they welcomed us with cakes when we moved in and, since then, have continued to be a fantastic support. They’re just wonderful.”
Location and services aside, what else makes Birmingham such a great place to do business?
“There are so many!” said Tara.
“Birmingham is an extremely supportive city. Collaborative working is something that I really do champion, and this city helps people do that. There’s no point in having great ideas, keeping them to yourself, and not being able to make things happen.”
She referred to Birmingham’s connectivity and “international status” as a major operational benefit, along with its affordability.
“You can set up a business, grow it organically, and still be able to afford a great living. This definitely isn’t achievable in London! Birmingham also provides access to great business support and finance. So whatever you’re looking to achieve you can access advice, resources and actual money to help you do it.”
“That’s one hell of a city, in my eyes!”