Tim Andrews, managing director of Hollywood Signs, has embarked on an unusual fitness regime to get in shape for the forthcoming Birmingham half marathon – jogging along the Midlands’ longest hoarding in Longbridge.

Tim’s company Hollywood Signs produced and installed the hoarding, a protective fence surrounding the former General Office Buildings. At 450 metres long – equivalent to 9 Olympic swimming pools or 47 London buses – the fence is the longest of its kind in the Midlands. Hollywood Signs were approached to produce the sign by St Modwen, the developers who are regenerating the former MG Rover site over the next 15 years.

Whilst most runners favour a traditional park or gym based training regime, Tim prefers pounding the pavement in Longbridge. “The hoarding provides a great marker for my training”, he exclaimed. “The 13 mile half marathon is equivalent to running the length of the hoarding 46 times. Having recently completed the Boston marathon I’m in pretty good shape but I have been building up my stamina by gradually increasing the number of lengths each session.

“The marathon will be run on pavement terrain so it really is the perfect location, although I do get a few glances if I train during rush hour when people are stuck in traffic and see me running back and forth!”

Headquartered in Tyseley, Hollywood Signs are the leading signage material supplier to the nationwide property market, working across the sector in development, residential, construction and retail.

Staff and friends alike turned back the clock to celebrate managing director Tim Andrew’s 40th birthday with an 80’s themed bash in Tanworth in Arden.

Under the guise of a quiet family meal out, Tim had the surprise of his (long) lifetime as he was greeted by his mates donning mullets, crimped hair, over exuberant make up and well, anything 80’s really.

After a few glasses of champagne and a few more beers Tim was in the thick of the action boogying down to the likes of Adam Ant, David Bowie and his personal fave Duran Duran.

A cracking night was had by all, especially our ageing MD, whose old bones must still have been aching long into the following week!

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