Ed James

Travel journalist Chris Moss’s book highlights Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall as overlooked destinations in the UK. He praises Wolverhampton’s architecture, pop art, The Posada pub and local artists; calls the Black Country Living Museum especially impressive; and describes Walsall’s New Art Gallery as one of the country’s best modern art galleries. Moss argues that travelers often pass through Midlands towns without stopping and says exploring them has challenged his own regional prejudices.

Solihull Council leader Karen Grinsell has defended plans for more than 1,600 homes at Holbeche Place, a major redevelopment of the former Mell Square site. The scheme will also include shops, restaurants, food and drink venues, public spaces and reduced parking, with construction phased over 10 years. Grinsell argues that town-centre housing can reduce pressure to build on green spaces, while some residents fear the development could create a bland “ghost town” with insufficient parking. The first phases are planned to include 346 build-to-rent homes and 228 affordable homes, delivered by Muse in partnership with Solihull Council.

Plans to give English regional mayors a share of income tax and business-rate revenue have been welcomed by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, who says the additional funds would enable faster action on living costs, high-street investment, youth employment and long-term regeneration. The region hopes to support major projects, create tens of thousands of jobs and expand investment in automotive, defence and green skills. The proposals would also devolve powers over housing, transport and skills, with business-rate retention expected from 2027 and income-tax sharing from 2028. Opposition parties say the scheme lacks detail and could disadvantage weaker economies, while business leaders want Warwickshire to benefit despite its separate devolution arrangements. The government says the reforms will ensure more locally raised tax is spent locally, with funding details due in the autumn Budget.

University College Birmingham has bought the recently closed Cube hotel and former Marco Pierre White restaurant in Birmingham as the first phase of a £15m hospitality investment programme. The site is planned to become a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant where students can gain practical experience while serving paying customers. The wider programme includes new hospitality venues in Harborne and at the university’s Summer Row campus, plus refurbishment of the Birmingham College of Food restaurant. The investment is expected to create more than 150 hospitality jobs, as well as paid student work, apprenticeships and placements, with refurbishment beginning soon and opening details to be announced later in 2026.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker says his priorities are aligned with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plans for greater regional devolution and improved youth employment prospects. He supports vocational education from age 14, guaranteed work placements for 16- to 18-year-olds, and expanded local control over decision-making. The West Midlands Combined Authority has committed £75m to create 12,000 construction-course places and supports apprenticeships in creative and life-science industries. Parker also outlined plans to protect heritage assets and make bus fares fairer when the network returns to public control, while seeking a stronger devolution settlement for the region.

Michelin-starred chef Alex Claridge warns that the UK government's planned 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues will not ease the acute financial pressures facing independent restaurants. He argues that broader measures, particularly a VAT reduction, are needed to keep hospitality businesses viable amid rising costs and shrinking margins. The government says the £100m rates cut will support high streets and benefit about 32,000 venues, but Claridge maintains it will not address deeper structural challenges affecting the wider sector.

Two men in Birmingham, Andrew Griffiths and Andrew Piper, describe how alcoholism devastated their lives before Alcoholics Anonymous helped them achieve long-term sobriety. Griffiths, sober since 2005, now chairs AA Birmingham and encourages others to seek help, emphasising the emotional and personal toll of addiction. Piper, sober since 2016, recounts losing his health, relationships and business before turning his life around through AA. Both now share their experiences to support others during Alcohol Awareness Week.

A Birmingham carpenter with terminal lung cancer has turned to poetry to cope with his diagnosis and challenge taboos around discussing cancer. Paul Stevenson Lothian says writing has helped him reclaim his identity and speak openly about his illness. After finding confidence performing at open mic nights, a positive experience while rollerskating helped shift his perspective, reinforcing his belief that his mindset, rather than cancer, is in control.

A mother from Dorridge spent eight years seeking a diagnosis for her son’s rare genetic condition, eventually identified through the 100,000 Genomes Project. After years balancing legal work with caring responsibilities, she left her career and created Blue Badgers, an app designed to improve accessibility information and provide discounts for disabled people and unpaid carers. She hopes the platform will ease everyday challenges faced by families and help improve recognition of carers’ needs.

Ozzy Osbourne’s concert throne from his final live performance has been placed on display at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery as part of the Working Class Hero exhibition. The exhibit highlights Birmingham’s industrial heritage and its role in the rise of heavy metal. Museum staff report strong emotional responses from visitors following Osbourne’s death, noting renewed significance around the display and the broader celebration of Black Sabbath’s legacy.