Shirley Sports Club Secures Retrospective Approval for Outdoor Exercise Area Sunday, March 29, 2026 retrospective planning exercise fitness solihull sportsclub shirley bootcamp housing community sport Solihull planners have granted retrospective permission to Old Edwardians Sports Club (OESC) Ltd in Shirley for an outdoor exercise area constructed on a previously unused grassy space. The Streetsbrook Road-based club, known … Read More
We visited Birmingham's worst road for parking fines but left feeling better Sunday, March 29, 2026 alumrock birmingham parking congestion highstreet community independentbusinesses traffic retail urbanlife Alum Rock Road has become infamous in Birmingham for its notorious parking problems. Like many inner-city areas, it’s common to see cars squeezed onto pavements, parked along curbsides and yellow lines, double-parked—often … Read More
Inside the Multibank Combating Child Poverty in Birmingham Sunday, March 29, 2026 childpoverty birmingham multibank westmidlands charity amazon donations community volunteers povertyrelief A groundbreaking initiative known as the West Midlands Multibank has marked its first year of tackling child poverty in Birmingham, delivering critical support to thousands of struggling families. This innovative ‘multibank’ … Read More
'I Returned to Birmingham and One Thing Absolutely Gutted Me' Saturday, March 28, 2026 birmingham flags racism community equality migration protest diversity council law Tony Dowling, who now lives in Tyne and Wear, recently returned to Birmingham to attend his mother’s funeral. What he encountered on the city’s streets left him feeling deeply disturbed and disappointed. Throughout many parts … Read More
The 'Calm City' with All the Perks and None of the Stress Named Staffordshire’s Best Place to Live Saturday, March 28, 2026 lichfield staffordshire homes commuting michelin schools community culture transport realestate If bustling Birmingham feels overwhelming, consider crossing the border into Staffordshire, where Lichfield offers a refreshing alternative. Recently crowned Staffordshire’s best place to live by lifestyle magazine Muddy … Read More
I grew up half in Birmingham and half in Manchester – why the second city debate is pointless Saturday, March 28, 2026 birmingham manchester culture community upbringing citylife balti sohoroad northernquarter debate Just under 80 miles separate Birmingham and Manchester. A swift hour-and-a-half drive down the M6 gets you from one city to the other faster than you can watch Titanic twice. Yet, online debates rage endlessly over which city … Read More