Community

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 sandwell carehome expansion warrenshall seniorcare employment tividale nursing planning community

Plans are underway to significantly expand Warrens Hall Nursing Home in Tividale, Oldbury, potentially nearly doubling its capacity. Superior Care Midlands has submitted an application to Sandwell Council requesting … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 greenbelt kingswinford housing development planning community dudley opposition infrastructure urbanplanning

Local campaigners’ worst fears have been confirmed with the submission of a planning application for more than 500 homes on prized green belt land in Kingswinford. Dudley Council is currently reviewing an outline proposal … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 crime policing handsworth sohoroad operationfearless westmidlands anti-social knifecrime theft community

West Midlands Police have initiated a major crackdown on crime in the vibrant Handsworth Triangle and along the bustling Soho Road shopping district. A dedicated team of 20 officers will focus on tackling theft, drug-related … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 police handsworth operationfearless drugcrime heist arrest e-bike lawenforcement community suspect

A gripping moment unfolded in the streets of Handsworth as a lone police officer on an e-bike gave chase to a masked suspect. The officer spotted the balaclava-clad man cycling suspiciously and ordered him to “stop … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 malverns midlands sundaytimes bestplaces living qualityoflife community amenities stratford bromsgrove

The Sunday Times has released its highly anticipated Best Places to Live 2026 list, and The Malverns has emerged as the leading destination in the Midlands. Renowned for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant community, and … Read More

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 moseley restaurant birmingham malaysian dining extendedhours localbusiness familyrun food community

Lisa and Pann, the beloved family-owned Malaysian restaurant located on Billesley Lane in Moseley, has received official approval from Birmingham City Council to extend its operating hours. This decision allows the restaurant … Read More

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 charity theft kingsheath butcher birmingham donations hospital community crime johnstans

On Wednesday, May 6, at approximately 12:50 pm, Johnstans Butchers in Kings Heath experienced an unfortunate incident when a man allegedly stole close to £200 from their charity donation box. The box had been collecting funds … Read More

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 birmingham wardend councillor independent elections politics community representation labour coalition

Harris Khaliq, newly elected councillor for Birmingham’s Ward End, believes the recent surge of independent candidates signals a fresh start for many of the city’s “forgotten” communities. Khaliq, who ran a grassroots … Read More

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 griffinsgaming digbeth tradingcards pokemon community gaming collectibles neurodiversity tournaments familybusiness

Nestled beneath the railway arches behind the O2 Institute in Digbeth, Griffins Gaming has become a local hotspot for trading card enthusiasts and gamers alike. Since opening in July 2023, this family-run shop tucked away on … Read More

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 birmingham stirchley cooperative housing community development affordable greensquareaccord funding pershoreroad

A promising community-led housing and retail project in Birmingham is approaching a pivotal moment, with local residents and businesses striving to secure ownership of a block of flats and shops designed for cooperative … Read More

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 softplay family sustainability woodland dutchbarn playcafe lichfield ecofriendly childrensplay community

When most of us think of soft play centres, images of bright plastic structures, harsh fluorescent lights, and uninspired snacks often come to mind. That’s what makes Crumb and Play such a refreshing change. Nestled inside a … Read More

Monday, May 11, 2026 middlesbrough unemployment benefits dwp jobcentre community employment deprivation mentalhealth council

Middlesbrough, once a thriving industrial town, is now confronting alarming levels of unemployment and social challenges that have sparked debate about the role of local support systems. Reports suggest that some residents … Read More

Sunday, May 10, 2026 scaffolding safety platformhousing repairs tenants warndon worcester construction community security

Tenants in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, have expressed growing frustration and safety concerns over scaffolding erected during ongoing communal stairwell repairs. Platform Housing initiated the work before Easter, yet … Read More

Sunday, May 10, 2026 westmidlands police indecentexposure flashing crime publicsafety investigation community vigilance awareness

West Midlands Police have issued a warning following a sharp rise in flasher incidents across the region. In 2025 alone, authorities recorded 501 cases of indecent exposure, signaling a significant increase compared to … Read More

Sunday, May 10, 2026 dudley nostalgia woolworths jbs nightlife metro change memories community transformation

Dudley has transformed dramatically over the years, and a brief stroll through the town today makes that clear. While some changes have brought progress, others have meant saying goodbye to beloved pastimes and local … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 solihull mentalhealth women community support wellbeing walk outdoors awareness stridesquad

Keeley Skelding established the Solihull Women’s Stride Squad to create a supportive community for women experiencing mental health struggles. Motivated by her personal difficulties and the lack of accessible support, … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 birmingham hatecrime lgbtq+ legislation disability protection incidents community safety inclusion

Birmingham has witnessed a concerning increase in hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community, with 634 recorded incidents in 2025 alone. This rise comes as new legislation aimed at providing equal protections to victims of … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 walsall education ofsted achievement leadership deprivation primaryschool westmidlands reedswood community

A primary school in Walsall has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming one of the first in the Midlands to receive ‘exceptional’ ratings under Ofsted’s new inspection framework. This achievement stands out, particularly … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 sedgley pharmacy coronationgardens greenspace development dudleycouncil community planning historic rejection

An application by Ridgeway Pharmacy to purchase Coronation Gardens, a beloved green space in Sedgley town centre, has been refused by Dudley Council. Michael Brereton, the council’s director of development and regeneration, … Read More

Saturday, May 9, 2026 tamworth licensing alcohol beauchamp industrialestate latenight refreshment getgolf licensingauthority community sport

Get Golf Ltd has submitted an application for a premises licence at 16 Beauchamp Industrial Estate, Tamworth, B77 5BZ, seeking permission to sell alcohol and provide late-night refreshments. The application was announced in a … Read More

Friday, May 8, 2026 licence late-night refreshment smallheath birmingham coventryroad community consultation licensing foodservice

Al-Manar Islamic Superstore Ltd, located at 430 Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, has submitted an application for a premises licence to serve late night refreshment indoors until 1am every day. This request, formally … Read More

Thursday, May 7, 2026 birminghampride lgbtq philoldershaw pridefestival sponsorship community equality security accessibility birmingham

Phil Oldershaw, co-founder of Birmingham Pride, has opened up about the realities and challenges facing the annual festival as it marks 30 years since its creation. Established in 1996 alongside Bill Gavan, the inaugural … Read More

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 dogattacks westmidlands publicsafety dogcontrol police injuries petowners community crime 2025

The West Midlands has experienced a significant increase in dog attacks, with West Midlands Police recording 1,325 incidents involving out-of-control dogs causing injuries in 2025. This alarming figure translates to more than … Read More

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 green birmingham elections council community housing environment politics waste change

For the first time in its history, the Green Party is fielding candidates in every one of Birmingham’s 101 wards. This milestone reflects a surge in support and membership, fueled in part by the national profile of the … Read More