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West Midlands business review of 2022 - part three: Commonwealth Games, big move for BBC and Villa Park expansion

Our 2022 review of the business world in the West Midlands hits the summer and the spectacular Commonwealth Games, the Beeb announces plans to leave the Mailbox and Aston Villa press ahead with stadium expansion

Clockwise from top left: Laura Muir wins gold at the Commonwealth Games, BBC to move to revamped Typhoo Wharf, Coventry & Warwickshire LEP chairwoman Sarah Windrum announces its disbandment and Villa Park regen

Our review of 2022 moves into the summer months and can only begin in one place - the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games.

Although Birmingham was branded as the host city, it was very much a West Midlands production with venues in Wolverhampton, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Solihull and even London all playing their part. The games marked the first time more medals for women's events than men's were handed out while the integrated para-sport programme was the largest ever.

And in November, it was announced that would be held at Alexander Stadium, ensuring the legacy lives on.

WEST MIDLANDS BUSINESS NEWS REVIEW OF 2022

Birmingham was named among six towns and cities on the shortlist to host the headquarters of a new body that will run the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ's railways.

It is bidding to become the new home of Great British Railways whose creation was announced in 2021 as part of reforms of the rail system which the Government hopes will remove the current fragmentation in the system. A decision on the location of its HQ is still to be announced.

There was a welcome boost to the West Midlands Metro tram network when the Westside extension in Birmingham city centre was completed just days before the start of the Commonwealth Games.

An additional three stops in Broad Street and Hagley Road opened for business, better connecting the Edgbaston district with the city centre and main railway stations.