A Tale of Two High Streets: West Midlands’ Contrasting Communities Saturday, April 11, 2026 westmidlands highstreet alumrock knowle independentbusiness community inequality urbanspace localeconomy businessdevelopment This week, I explored two high streets in the West Midlands that, though geographically close, couldn’t feel more different. The striking contrast between Alum Rock and Knowle left a lasting impression. Alum Rock, often … Read More
New Housing Development Proposed to Expand Small Solihull Village Friday, April 10, 2026 solihull chewiskgreen housing development planning greenbelt affordablehousing community infrastructure golfclub sport Plans to significantly increase the size of Chewisk Green, a small village in Solihull, are underway as developer Spitfire Homes proposes building 54 new homes. The village, with a current population of approximately 1,700, … Read More
How Londoners Revived a Derelict Birmingham Venue with Heritage and Heart Thursday, April 9, 2026 heritage restoration restaurant birmingham victorian blacklock hospitality architecture renovation community Sitting by the window of the soon-to-open Blacklock Chophouse on Cathedral Square, I was treated to one of Birmingham’s most striking views while waiting to chat with restaurant owner Gordon Ker. For years, only the former … Read More
'Awful' Attack on 67-Year-Old Birmingham Shopkeeper After He Came to Neighbor's Aid Thursday, April 9, 2026 attack birmingham shopkeeper handsorth robbery assault queensheadroad westmidlandspolice community safety A shopkeeper in Birmingham was violently attacked and robbed after stepping in to assist a neighboring business on Queens Head Road in Handsworth. The incident occurred shortly after midday on Saturday, April 4. The … Read More
The Slow Erosion of Birmingham’s Heritage: A Call to Protect Our Community Spaces Wednesday, April 8, 2026 birmingham heritage community council friendsinstitute elections moseleyroad conservation quakers cadbury Birmingham is evolving, but not without loss. Over recent years, many residents have felt an increasing sense of frustration and worry as key parts of the city’s history and identity slip away. Despite differing opinions and … Read More
Plans Approved to Reopen Long-Closed Wednesfield Petrol Garage as Morrisons Daily Monday, April 6, 2026 wednesfield morrisons petrolstation planning convenience council licensing evcharging retail community City of Wolverhampton Council has given the green light to reopen the former Linthouse Service Station, located on Linthouse Lane in Wednesfield, as a petrol garage paired with a Morrisons Daily convenience store. The site, … Read More