Community

Sunday, December 28, 2025 hmo birmingham planning community objections petitions residents regulations housing mp

“We’ve had enough.” This was the unanimous response from countless Birmingham residents each time a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) application was submitted in their neighborhoods during 2025. Communities rallied … Read More

Sunday, December 28, 2025 folklore birmingham suttoncoldfield café bagels betty cat environmentalhealth community microbakery

Tucked away beside Platform 2 at Sutton Coldfield Railway Station in Birmingham lies Folklore, a café that effortlessly blends community spirit with unique charm. Once the station’s shop, this hidden gem is easy to overlook, … Read More

Sunday, December 28, 2025 birmingham swimmingpool morriscentre nhs safety closure repairs queenelizabethhospital community wellbeing

The Morris Centre swimming pool, located at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Selly Oak, Birmingham, is set to close indefinitely on December 31 due to significant safety and structural concerns. The facility, which serves … Read More

Saturday, December 27, 2025 birmingham binstrike flytipping wastecrisis uniteunion community sparkbrook balsallheath bordesleygreen publichealth

In early 2024, Birmingham faced a growing crisis as lengths of the city became overwhelmed with uncollected rubbish. Mountains of black bin liners, household trash, and rotting food waste piled up on junctions, roadsides, … Read More

Friday, December 26, 2025 birmingham binstrike wastemanagement mobilewastecentre flytipping community jcb cleanup council recycling

In spring 2025, Birmingham grappled with an all-out bin strike that left streets piled high with bags of rubbish. As the situation worsened, the city’s Mobile Household Waste Centres (MHWCs) extended their operations to seven … Read More

Friday, December 26, 2025 hs2 waterorton primaryschool warwickshire disruption community construction education migration environment

Warwickshire County Council recently announced plans to reduce the annual intake at Water Orton Primary School from 45 pupils to 30 by 2027, reflecting a noticeable drop in student numbers. North Warwickshire and Bedworth … Read More

Thursday, December 25, 2025 shoplifting theft cctv hardware worcestershire christmas community police stolen burglary

In a bizarre and bold incident at Badham’s Hardware in Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire, two female shoplifters were filmed on CCTV singing “Santa Baby” as they helped themselves to around £100 worth of … Read More

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 birmingham foodbank charity community christmas poverty volunteers housing support health

As Christmas Day approaches, hundreds of Birmingham residents from all walks of life have been visiting food banks to secure essential supplies. Among them are the homeless, pensioners, vulnerable individuals, and workers … Read More

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 recycling strike birmingham waste pensioner dispute council disruption community environment

Lorraine Boyce, an elderly resident of Kings Norton, Birmingham, has been forced to store her recycling materials in her hallway and garden shed ever since the city’s bin workers began their industrial strike earlier … Read More

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 shoplifting crime blackcountry dudley wolverhampton community sentencing theft police ban

A notorious shoplifter, Timonthy Lydon, has been sentenced to eight months in jail following a series of thefts across the Black Country. The 29-year-old, who has no fixed address, was charged with 13 counts of theft after … Read More

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 cocacola christmas trucktour birmingham bullring festivities uktour holidays community 2025

Coca-Cola has confirmed that its iconic Christmas Truck Tour for 2025 has come to an end, and notably, Birmingham was left off this year’s route. After delighting fans in previous years at the Bullring with free cans and … Read More

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 pharmacy healthcare gps winter flu access covid19 treatment nhs community

As winter pressures intensify across the West Midlands, residents are being urged to turn to their local pharmacies for healthcare advice and treatment. With GP practices and hospital A&E departments facing unprecedented … Read More

Friday, December 19, 2025 peppapig autism christmas soundbook family solihull charity community search discontinued

A family from Solihull is reaching out to the world in a touching quest to fulfill their autistic son’s special Christmas wish: locating a discontinued Peppa Pig sound book called “Pirate Island.” James Murphy, Fian’s father, … Read More

Thursday, December 18, 2025 kingshurst regeneration solihull council housing community construction development health planning

Senior Solihull councillors have given their support to the next phase of the ambitious regeneration of Kingshurst village centre, marking a crucial milestone in the project’s progress. The large-scale revitalisation received … Read More

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 children care healthcare enforcement planning dudley bilston inspection noise community

A Dudley Council enforcement notice ordering a children’s home in Bilston to stop operating has been upheld following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The property, a two-story semi-detached house on Maslin Drive, had … Read More

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 hitandrun sohoroad birmingham westmidlands roadaccident police emergency community manhunt victim

The family of a man fatally struck in a hit-and-run collision on Birmingham’s Soho Road is grappling with an “unbearable reality,” according to the West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker. The victim, believed to be in his 50s, … Read More

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 weston-super-mare murder police investigation child arrest victim family support community

A tragic incident has unfolded in Weston-super-Mare, where a nine-year-old girl was found dead inside a home on Lime Close. The discovery was made shortly after 6 pm on Monday, December 15, when paramedics alerted the police. … Read More

Monday, December 15, 2025 housing greenbelt planning solihull shirley development infrastructure community council construction

A major housing development proposal to build around 1,200 homes on green belt land in Shirley has been approved by Solihull Council’s planning committee, despite concerns from local residents and councillors. The double … Read More

Sunday, December 14, 2025 walsall greenbelt development consultation housing localplan community campaign planning council

The Beacon Action Group, a local campaign organization, is urging Walsall residents to take action and share their views on proposals to build thousands of new homes on the borough’s green belt land. The group has raised … Read More

Sunday, December 14, 2025 peopleton farmer waste dumping lorries environment investigation tenant farming community

Carl Powell, the 80-year-old farmer known for his infamous billboard calling the village of Peopleton “murderous, lawless and godforsaken,” is once again at the center of local controversy. This time, the … Read More

Saturday, December 13, 2025 nationwide banking branches closures highstreet community retailbanking customer uk financialservices

Nationwide has announced a significant commitment to maintaining its physical bank branches, reassuring customers just in time for the holiday season. While many banks are closing branches, Nationwide is bucking the trend by … Read More

Saturday, December 13, 2025 greetsgreen housing propertyprices westmidlands community inequality crime realestate sandwell localnews

A solitary England flag ripples gently from a lamppost above a quiet car park scattered with discarded nitrous oxide canisters. The calm backstreets of Greets Green on a crisp autumn afternoon reveal little sign of life … Read More

Thursday, December 11, 2025 moped theft arrest pensnett kingswinford police assault cannabis industrialestate community

An 18-year-old male has been arrested after an attempted moped theft at Pensnett Trading Estate in Kingswinford, thanks to prompt action from local residents. West Midlands Police responded to reports of the incident on … Read More

Thursday, December 11, 2025 brumwish birmingham childpoverty christmas volunteers edgbaston gifts thrivetogether community charity

Every year, thousands of compassionate BirminghamLive readers come together to buy gifts for the city’s poorest children, ensuring that every child experiences the joy and surprise they deserve on Christmas Day. … Read More