Community

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 dispersal police youth antisocial lichfield crime order safety community parents

Staffordshire Police are set to implement a dispersal order in Lichfield city centre from 3pm on Friday, February 6, through to 3pm on Sunday, February 8, aimed at tackling escalating anti-social behaviour among young groups. … Read More

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 jewellers highstreet retail closure chelmsford onlineshopping business costs community repairs

After serving the Chelmsford community for half a century, Krafft Jewellers has announced it will close its long-standing city centre store on Duke Street by March 31. The decision marks a significant loss for local shoppers … Read More

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 birmingham cafe hygiene ratings kingsheath mice foodsafety community recovery inspection

The owner of Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham has revealed how her cafe recovered quickly after being closed and fined for a mice infestation last year—but a council computer glitch meant customers couldn’t see its new … Read More

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 midland pub theft whitehorse amblecote community policy drugs respect warning

A pub in Midland has issued a firm warning to a visitor caught stealing, urging them not to return. The White Horse, located on Amblecote High Street, started the year by reverting to its former name after previously being … Read More

Sunday, February 1, 2026 suttoncoldfield shooting crime police investigation emergency injury community safety violence

A targeted shooting shook Sutton Coldfield on Saturday night, leaving one man injured. The incident has been described as “shocking” by local authorities, who are currently investigating the circumstances … Read More

Sunday, February 1, 2026 birmingham navigationdrive binstrikes wastecollection kingsnorton community pestcontrol council rubbish industrialaction

“I can’t believe we haven’t seen rats yet.” This is the bleak observation from a resident of Navigation Drive in Kings Norton, Birmingham, as the impact of the ongoing bin strike grows increasingly … Read More

Sunday, February 1, 2026 calthorpe edgbaston conservation regulations gardens pets parking homeworking heritage community

West of Birmingham city centre lies the historic and highly regulated Calthorpe Estate, covering 1,600 acres—including much of Edgbaston and parts of Harbourne and Quinton. This exclusive estate, with a history spanning over … Read More

Saturday, January 31, 2026 bournville festival children family safety fireworks maypole community birmingham recreation

The much-loved Bournville Village Children’s Festival is making a comeback this year—but with a significant change aimed at ensuring a peaceful, family-friendly environment. Following incidents of unrest at past events, … Read More

Friday, January 30, 2026 y2k birmingham newyear lgbtq+ southside community tradition celebration pride events

In 1982, pop icon Prince released the song “1999,” painting a vivid picture of purple skies and people fleeing apocalyptic destruction at the dawn of the new millennium. Over the next 17 years, this song sowed a lingering … Read More

Friday, January 30, 2026 housing security intruders safety tenants homelessness community disturbance trident smallheath

Pishtiwan Sofi, a devoted father from Small Heath, has shared his ongoing distress over intruders who have repeatedly invaded the communal areas of his housing block on Mount Pleasant. The situation has escalated to the point … Read More

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 sparkhill politics community elections radicalization rehabilitation terrorism youth socialhousing activism

Shahid Butt, a Sparkhill resident and candidate for the upcoming city council elections, openly admits to a troubled past but hopes voters will focus on his vision for community improvement. At 60, Butt reflects on his life … Read More

Monday, January 26, 2026 sparkbrook police drugs arrest illicit tobacco vapes nitrousoxide community safety

A Birmingham community’s vigilance led to a dramatic police find after a tip-off about a suspicious vehicle in Sparkbrook. Acting on intelligence from local residents, officers conducted a search that resulted in the arrest … Read More

Sunday, January 25, 2026 hockleyheath police investigation vandalism stratfordroad crime propertydamage community safety incident

Authorities have launched an investigation following reports of an unknown substance being sprayed on three cars in Hockley Heath. The incident occurred on a residential drive located off Stratford Road on January 23. Police … Read More

Sunday, January 25, 2026 pub landlord westmidlands heritage family tolkien coachandhorses alvechurch community history

Gary Meads’ story is one unlike most – born and raised within the walls of a pub he now owns. The Coach & Horses Inn, situated on the border of Alvechurch and Birmingham, has been a family-run establishment for over half … Read More

Saturday, January 24, 2026 planning sportengland leisurecentre telford swimming fitness commemoration community development agreement sport

Planning permission has been approved for a new leisure centre in Telford, following a legal agreement that resolved Sport England’s initial objections, according to official planning documents. The new facility, named the … Read More

Friday, January 23, 2026 tamworthtap camra puboftheyear realale midlands pubs community brewing hospitality heritage

The Tamworth Tap, a charming pub nestled on Market Street in Tamworth, has made history by winning the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) National Pub of the Year award for an unprecedented third consecutive year. This remarkable … Read More

Thursday, January 22, 2026 dudley market revamp pigeons antisocial council traders hygiene community funding

Dudley Council’s £150,000 makeover of the town centre market, launched in April 2025, aimed to create a vibrant hub for visitors and boost local businesses. The transformation replaced traditional stalls with new … Read More

Thursday, January 22, 2026 birmingham chinesenewyear festival family culture southside entertainment community heritage firehorse

Birmingham is gearing up for a spectacular celebration of Chinese New Year 2026, with festivities scheduled across the February half term, making it an ideal event for families to enjoy together. The free-to-attend festival … Read More

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 balsallcommon housing development planning solihull community infrastructure approval controversy homes

A contentious housing development proposal in Balsall Common has officially cleared its final planning stage, moving forward despite vocal opposition from local residents. The plan, submitted by Elan Homes Holdings Ltd in … Read More

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 education sandwell oldbury school regeneration passivhaus sustainability infrastructure development community

Sandwell Council has given the green light to a £20 million project to build a new Causeway Green Primary School in Oldbury. This state-of-the-art school will be part of the expansive Brandhall Village development, which also … Read More

Sunday, January 18, 2026 willenhall falconinn hmo planning housing redevelopment community approval conversion property

Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Falcon Inn pub on Gomer Street West, Willenhall, into a 10-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The decision was finalized at the planning committee meeting on … Read More

Sunday, January 18, 2026 birmingham rubbish cleanup community rats binstrike bordesleygreen skip litterpicking environment

Amid an ongoing bin strike, the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham faces a harsh reality of overflowing rubbish, rat infestations, and a pervasive stench. Residents on one street are so frustrated with the mounting litter … Read More

Sunday, January 18, 2026 birmingham pictureandpint bar community hospitality photography cotteridge cheers localart music

Picture & Pint, which opened its doors in December 2024, has quickly earned a reputation as Birmingham’s most distinctive bar. Situated in Cotteridge, this one-of-a-kind venue combines the warmth of a traditional pub with … Read More

Saturday, January 17, 2026 broadway cotswolds christmas lights winter festive village tourism local community

The picturesque Cotswold village of Broadway is spreading extra cheer this winter by keeping its Christmas lights shining well into January. Known for its charming tree-lined high street and honey-stone boutiques, Broadway’s … Read More