Neighbours Oppose Alcohol Licence for Rowley Regis Microbar Over Safety and Community Concerns Sunday, April 12, 2026 rowleyregis alcohollicence community parking safety microbar licensing objections traffic residential A decision looms over whether The Fust-un, a proposed microbar in Hawes Lane, Rowley Regis, will receive an alcohol licence, following formal objections by nearby residents. Sandwell Council’s licensing committee is set to … Read More
Birmingham Pride Reduces Ticket Prices Amid Challenges and Community Focus Sunday, April 12, 2026 birmingham pride lgbtq festival accessibility community tickets costofliving equality celebration Birmingham Pride has lowered its ticket prices this year, aiming to make the event more accessible to attendees amidst ongoing financial pressures and a cost of living crisis. Weekend tickets are now priced at £46.87, a … Read More
Mistakes, Conflict, and Controversy: A Candid Conversation with Birmingham Pride Director Lawrence Barton Sunday, April 12, 2026 birminghampride lgbtq leadership controversy community transinclusion business volunteerism pridefestival unity When I mentioned I was interviewing Lawrence Barton, director of Birmingham Pride since 2009, a colleague questioned, “How can someone ‘own’ Pride? Isn’t it a movement?” The idea of ownership felt misplaced, yet Lawrence’s … Read More
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