Heather Large

Little Bean in Stafford has reopened with an expanded offering that includes a delicatessen alongside its handmade chocolates, ice cream and gift items. Owner Vic Williams, a longtime chocolatier with experience at major confectionery companies, produces all chocolate in-house and sources additional goods from local suppliers. The shop features a seating area, family-friendly activities and a range of local meats, cheeses and baked goods. Williams plans summer collaborations and extended hours, highlighting strong community support and encouraging customers to explore and shop at independent businesses in Stafford.

Bestselling author Mark Edwards discusses his new psychological thriller One of the Family, inspired by family tensions over inheritance and set in the Scottish Highlands. He describes crafting a complex plot involving dark secrets, escalating conflict and a mysterious death connected to a young man from Coventry. Edwards reflects on the success of his previous novel The Wasp Trap and the excitement of traditional publication. He notes influences such as Succession and The Traitors and shares that his next book is nearly complete. Signed copies of his latest novel are available locally, and he invites book clubs to contact him for events.

A Staffordshire business owner is promoting ethical, eco‑friendly products through her company Earthy Stuff, founded in 2021 to offer sustainable gifts made from recycled and cruelty‑free materials. Jessica Davanzo describes her mission to inspire change in supply chains, encourage responsible purchasing and support independent eco‑focused brands. She highlights increasing public interest in sustainable goods and emphasises the importance of environmental responsibility. Davanzo aims to expand Earthy Stuff beyond retail into a resource for sustainable living while fostering collaboration within the eco‑business community.

Two friends in Wolverhampton founded The Time 2 Club to provide women with a safe, welcoming community for forming friendships and trying new activities. The group offers monthly walks, book clubs, creative workshops and wellness events, attracting women of all ages, including those experiencing loneliness or recent life changes. Members describe the club as confidence‑building and supportive, with several noting long‑lasting friendships formed. Activities across the city include both free and ticketed events, and the club also runs various WhatsApp subgroups to support different needs.

Artist Tania Holland creates mixed‑media ‘posh paper mache’ sculptures in her South Staffordshire studio, producing popular small bird figures, larger animals, and life‑sized pieces using recycled materials and her own techniques. With a background in sculpture and painting from the Ruskin School of Fine Art, she has spent 15 years developing this style while also creating themed paintings. After relocating her gallery during the pandemic, she now works from a purpose‑built studio, sharing her process online, offering workshops, and exhibiting through craft guilds and art events across the UK.

A Pelsall florist describes building her independent shop through challenges such as the cost of living crisis and post‑Brexit import delays, emphasizing the rewards of creative work, customer relationships, and contributing to the local community. Seasonal peaks, sustainable practices and the addition of an experienced part‑time staff member have supported the shop’s growth on a High Street she sees as thriving.

Emma Venables has built a career in Wombourne as a pet and equine photographer and artist, creating bespoke coloured‑pencil portraits and offering photography sessions for horses, dogs, and cats. After leaving retail work in 2019, she developed her business through commissions and event photography, expanding into equine and dog shows and seasonal shoots. She tailors her approach to each animal and encourages owners to be part of the sessions to capture meaningful memories. Her work continues to grow through word of mouth and social media, and she hopes to partner more with local animal rescues after previously assisting the Greyhound Trust.

Katrin Winstanley transforms vintage and period furniture into unique pieces through careful restoration, drawing on skills from her previous work and a passion for Art Deco styles. She sources items mainly from auctions and online marketplaces, restores them using sanding, repairs, paint, oils and fabrics, and often adds nature-inspired decorative elements. Her business, Katkin Interiors, offers both completed pieces and commissioned work, with current items including mid‑century and Queen Anne–style furniture. She finds satisfaction in reviving worn pieces and preserving their historical character.

A home fragrance business launched in 2022 by Ryan Pritchard has expanded from a kitchen operation to a warehouse and shop in Staffordshire, growing its range from initial scents to products including whipped soap, bath bombs and body lotions. Co-run with partner Calum Wilkes, the business now ships across the UK, sells at markets around the Midlands and has gained awards for its home and body fragrance products. Affordable pricing, varied scents and customer trust are credited for its success, while both founders continue to balance the venture with full-time jobs.

A pottery painting studio and café in Hagley, founded by Ruth Scattergood, provides a welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities to relax, create, and connect. Coffee n Clay offers a wide selection of pottery items, on‑site glazing and firing, themed events, and a private room for those needing a quieter environment. The business incorporates hospitality with creative activities, serving drinks and food while customers paint. Regular visitors, inclusive practices, and a supportive team contribute to a warm, community‑focused atmosphere where customers build confidence and enjoy seeing their finished pieces.

Filming locations for Peaky Blinders and the upcoming movie The Immortal Man span the Black Country, Birmingham, Liverpool, Derbyshire, Manchester, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and Portsoy in Scotland. Notable sites include the Black Country Living Museum, Calke Abbey, Arley Hall, Port Sunlight, Victoria Baths, Formby Beach and several heritage districts and railways, many offering tours, exhibitions or special events linked to the series.

An employment lawyer based in the West Midlands describes how supporting individuals facing workplace challenges gives her a strong sense of purpose. Early experiences at the Citizens Advice Bureau shaped her commitment to fairness and claimant‑side work, while varied training across several firms helped build resilience and adaptability. Now leading employment work at Lime Solicitors, she advises clients on issues such as unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing, balancing legal strategy with empathy during periods of high stress for those seeking help. She highlights the demands of time sensitivity, precision and emotional intelligence in the field, and encourages aspiring lawyers to embrace the complexity, human impact and negotiation‑driven nature of employment law.

Florist and venue stylist Emma Sheffield, based at Hawkesyard Estate near Rugeley, describes her journey from traditional floristry to running a thriving wedding and event styling business. After returning to the profession as a self‑employed florist, she expanded into venue dressing and now provides bespoke décor for weddings and celebrations across a 100‑mile radius. She highlights trends such as pastel colour palettes, Bridgerton‑inspired aisle florals, and the rise of twilight and mid‑week weddings. Managing up to 70 weddings a year, she cites long hours and behind‑the‑scenes labour as challenges, but says couples’ reactions and strong relationships with venues make the work worthwhile.

Kim Nash, an author from Hednesford, has fulfilled her lifelong ambition by opening her own bookshop, Fiction and Fairy Lights, after leaving her publishing job. She purchased the business from Nancy Fardon and relocated it to a larger nearby unit, renovating the space with help from family and friends. The new shop allows for author events, book clubs and workshops, supporting her vision of creating a cosy, community-focused literary hub. Early customer support has been strong, and she plans a grand opening along with future events featuring well‑known writers. Her latest novel is set for release on April 1.

Baker Amanda Leek has grown her home-based venture, Fairy Good Cakes, into a thriving business featuring a mobile cake van and a newly opened shop and bakery in Brownhills. After early challenges with a tearoom location, she expanded her operations, secured trading licences in Walsall and Cannock, and attracted loyal customers with popular bakes such as old school sponge and cookie pies. Her pink-themed shop, social media presence and creative branding have helped build a dedicated following from both local residents and visitors traveling from further away.

A postnatal fitness programme in Shropshire marks its first year, highlighting its growth from Bridgnorth to additional locations and plans for further expansion in 2026. Founder Lauren Baines describes the club as a supportive environment for new mothers seeking to rebuild strength while caring for their babies. The six‑week programme integrates strength, cardio and core-focused training, with babies welcome in sessions. Recruitment for new coaches is underway as the brand prepares to widen its reach across the Midlands and Shropshire.

Shifnal artist Stephanie Eufemia is set to appear on Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year while simultaneously launching her largest solo exhibition at Weston Park’s Rose Paterson Gallery. Her work, inspired by the countryside surrounding her studio, includes plein air paintings created in locations such as Corbett Wood and Keswick, where she filmed for the competition. Selected from more than 2,000 applicants, she will compete for a National Gallery of Ireland commission. The exhibition, featuring pieces developed over the past year, opens January 30 and runs through March 26.

A Wolverhampton mother grew a small TikTok-based children’s clothing venture into a physical boutique, Daisy & Ted’s, after leaving her career in teaching. The shop specialises in high-quality Spanish, Portuguese and British brands, including smocked items and made‑to‑order pieces. She continues selling through TikTok while running the store and emphasises the flexibility entrepreneurship provides for family life. She encourages support for independent businesses, highlighting their importance to local communities.

A Brazilian-born interior designer based in Stafford describes shifting from a marketing career to launch her own bespoke design business after training with a London designer. She emphasizes creating functional and personal spaces, guiding clients overwhelmed by choices, and managing projects through a trusted network of suppliers. Working mainly within 30 miles of Stafford, she focuses on architectural foundations, collaboration and maintaining a healthy work–life balance while helping clients achieve homes that reflect their needs and identity.

A breathwork coach explains how conscious breathing techniques helped him manage anxiety and sleep issues and now form the basis of his work supporting young people and adults. Together with a colleague, he is expanding breathwork programmes in schools to help children improve emotional regulation, manage stress and enhance focus. Their organisation also offers sessions for adults, emphasising the scientific basis of the techniques and their practical application in everyday stressful situations.

Community pharmacist Malkit Singh highlights the growing clinical role of pharmacies through the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, which allows pharmacists to treat several common conditions without GP appointments. He describes technological improvements such as robotic dispensing that free pharmacists to carry out consultations, screenings and vaccinations. Winter demand rises due to flu and Covid vaccinations, while long-term patient relationships strengthen the pharmacy’s community role. Singh offers five winter health tips, including visiting pharmacists first, getting seasonal vaccines, using the NHS app for repeat prescriptions, practising good hygiene and maintaining healthy daily habits.

Hannah Green has expanded her Staffordshire-based company Tipples & Tonics from a hobby into a full-time cocktail business offering mobile bars, delivery services and mixology masterclasses. After building demand through early events and lockdown-era online tutorials, she left her accounting job in 2023 to focus on the venture. Despite challenges in 2024, bookings and business growth have accelerated in 2025, with increasing demand for cocktails such as margaritas, mojitos and her own signature creations. Green now travels nationwide and continues to grow her services while enjoying the creativity and social aspects of her work.

Amelia Thomas describes how her lifelong interest in animals led her to explore how humans can better understand animal communication, drawing on insights from scientists, trainers and other experts around the world. Her experiences ranged from observing diverse species to learning how subtle animal signals reveal personality and intention. She says the discoveries have transformed how she interacts with her own animals and encourages others to slow down, pay attention to subtle cues and consider how animals experience their environment. Her new book, published by Elliott & Thompson, outlines the lessons learned during this journey.

A West Midlands jeweller, Steven Charles Quance, describes his journey from helping his father in a factory as a teenager to becoming a specialist in handcrafted engagement and wedding rings with a notable celebrity clientele. Supported early on by a Prince’s Trust grant, he built his business in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and now works by appointment, focusing on creating sentimental, bespoke pieces. He highlights the emotional significance of his work, the satisfaction of contributing to major life events and heirlooms, and the personalised service he offers clients seeking unique designs.

A Shropshire market trader promotes traditional, durable and plastic‑free cookware through her business, Jane’s Accessories, recently established at Newport Indoor Market. She focuses on long‑lasting brands such as Falcon Enamelware, Mason Cash and Pyrex, aiming to reduce single‑use plastic and encourage sustainable shopping. Her commitment to environmental efforts includes plastic‑free accreditation through Surfers Against Sewage and involvement with Climate Action Hub Telford. She emphasises the importance of markets and High Streets for community connection and champions the value of shopping locally.

Walsall band The Assist have released their first Christmas song, Divorced for Christmas, aiming to acknowledge the difficulties some people face during the festive season. Written by lead singer Mikey Stanton, the track features Rhianna Keane and is accompanied by a video filmed in Tamworth. The release caps a successful year that included touring their second album, Disconnections, and performing at major venues and festivals. The song has already gained airplay from BBC Introducing and Radio X, with the band hoping to emulate even a fraction of Slade’s Christmas success.

Singer-songwriter Susy Wall released a charity Christmas song, One Day in December, created with Mary Stevens Hospice to support people who find the season difficult. The project began after hospice staff sought a suitable song for a support video, leading Wall to collaborate with spiritual care lead Ruth Radley and several musical colleagues who contributed their time for free. All proceeds from Bandcamp sales will go to the hospice. Wall’s recent work includes two EPs, her debut album The Spaces In Between, and her Arts Council–funded second album Black Lights, which highlights local creativity and landscapes.

Classically trained pianist Christa Hugo describes her journey from early piano studies to a varied music career that includes teaching, ballet accompaniment, choir leadership and music examining. Now working as a wedding and events pianist, she collaborates with couples to create personalised playlists and adapts her performances to suit each audience. She highlights the piano’s versatility and the unique atmosphere created by live music, contrasting it with the limitations of playlists. Hugo enjoys arranging diverse genres, taking on challenging requests and engaging guests through recognisable melodies.

A new regional tour of The Rat Pack: Christmas in Vegas will feature Telford-based Frank Sinatra tribute artist David Alacey alongside Tim Harwood and Ashley Campbell, offering a mix of classic Rat Pack hits and traditional Christmas songs. Alacey reflects on his long career portraying Sinatra and promises an enhanced production with a live band, dancers and special guests. Performances are scheduled across several Midlands venues throughout late November and December.

A Staffordshire-based osteopath and nutritional therapist describes her career treating elite athletes across Europe and her current work leading a multidisciplinary clinic offering osteopathy, physiotherapy, nutritional therapy, hypnotherapy and other services. She highlights the clinic’s commitment to patient-centred care, quick access to treatment and the ability to complement NHS services. The clinic also provides accredited sports massage training. She notes growing demand for care outside mainstream medicine and finds satisfaction in helping people reduce pain, improve movement and achieve personal goals.

Julie Cassidy describes how she opened Do Re Mi Boutique & Homeware in Cannock, turning a long‑held ambition into a successful business offering clothing and accessories for women of all ages. The shop has built a loyal customer base through personalised styling advice, active engagement on Facebook and a broad range of affordable brands. Cassidy regularly hosts fashion shows and fundraising events supporting St Giles Hospice, motivated by the charity’s care for her father. She plans additional events and potential extended opening hours as the boutique continues to grow.

Wolverhampton-born actress Claire Louise Amias stars in a one-woman production, Haunted Shadows: The Gothic Tales of Edith Nesbit, bringing three of Nesbit’s ghost stories to the stage while portraying the author herself. Inspired by Nesbit’s life and lesser-known gothic writings, the play incorporates material from her original articles. Directed by horror specialist Jonathan Rigby, the production blends storytelling, character shifts and specially designed costumes. Amias highlights her long-standing love of ghost stories and the immersive connection created in solo performance, ahead of shows in Stafford and Wolverhampton.

A Wolverhampton writer has turned a longtime hobby into a second career, self‑publishing several children’s books, a horror novella and a cosy crime series featuring protagonist Scarlett Fox. Inspired by local and indie authors, she now writes daily after her day job and will release the next book in her series in December, with a third planned for spring. Her work focuses on character‑driven storytelling, and her books are available through major online retailers.

Bradley Smith describes building his landscaping career from helping his father‑in‑law as a teenager to running Codsall Driveways, now a team of five following its acquisition of CobbleCrete Ltd. He specialises in pattern‑imprinted concrete, completing residential and commercial projects across the West Midlands and beyond, including work for McDonald’s. He outlines the varied, weather‑dependent nature of the job, the skills required to succeed, and the satisfaction of helping clients improve their outdoor spaces with durable, low‑maintenance installations.

A Staffordshire potter, Caroline Farnell-Smith, describes her journey from hobbyist to owner of The Pottery Cave, which now offers clay workshops, wheel-throwing sessions and paint-a-pot experiences for all ages. She explains how pottery supports wellbeing through creativity and mindfulness, and reflects on the fulfilment she finds in teaching. The studio continues to expand its programme, including seasonal events such as a Halloween workshop for children.

A sleep consultant from Brierley Hill describes how she supports parents and children experiencing sleep difficulties through personalised coaching, structured routines and gentle training methods. Drawing on her own experience as a mother of four, she provides one-to-one programmes that include sleep diaries, customised plans and ongoing guidance. She highlights improvements in family wellbeing and the satisfaction she gains from helping clients achieve healthier sleep patterns while noting the commitment required to build a business in this field.

A husband-and-wife team run Walsall Music Den in Pelsall, offering instrument sales, repairs and a wide range of music lessons for students aged six to 90. After taking over the long‑established shop in 2018, they have expanded its services, emphasising personal relationships, community support and inclusive access. The business provides tuition across multiple instruments, partners with local charities, offers sponsored places for children with additional needs and raises funds to help schools with repair costs. They use social media to make learning approachable and prioritise creating a safe, supportive environment for both children and adults. Their focus on community connection and helping people experience the benefits of music underpins their work.

Coreen Campbell turned a newfound interest in modern calligraphy into a professional pursuit, teaching workshops and selling handmade products after discovering the craft during a local class. She now offers sessions across venues in Wolverhampton and Stourbridge, providing beginners with tools and techniques to continue practising independently. Her range includes greeting cards, prints and wedding keepsakes, and she also runs a monthly practice club and offers individual tuition.

A Stourbridge tea room, The Sugar Loaf Company, has grown rapidly since rebranding in April 2025, driven by owner Charlie Mainprice’s handcrafted baking and focus on community-oriented service. The business offers breakfast, lunch and homemade cakes, works with local suppliers, and hosts workshops and events. It participates in the Chatty Cafe scheme, showcases work by local artist Stacy Hammond, and has earned strong community support, including winning New Business of the Year 2024. Charlie plans to expand to larger premises to meet increasing demand.

An independent Halesowen gift shop, Bella’s Beautiful Things, is presented as both a retail space and community hub offering gifts, a café and craft workshops. Owner Stella Weston highlights the shop’s growth from an online store to a larger physical location, supported heavily by family. The shop hosts paid classes and free community events while providing a welcoming environment, particularly for vulnerable or lonely visitors. Weston uses social media to boost footfall and credits customer relationships for the shop’s success.

Aromatherapist and reflexologist Melissa Burgess launched her holistic and tarot business, Heel2Heal Aroma & Reflex, in Bewdley after more than 25 years teaching beauty and holistic therapy across several West Midlands colleges. She created a calming treatment space offering reflexology, aromatherapy, facials, massage, chakra balancing and tarot readings, drawing on extensive qualifications and experience. Burgess emphasises personalised care, the therapeutic effects of her treatments and the rewarding nature of supporting clients’ wellbeing.

A 26-year-old nail technician from Wolverhampton, Holly Harvey, has launched Oak & Olive, a luxury grazing and event styling business inspired by her passion for hosting. After honing her creative skills during lockdown and impressing guests with her first grazing table at a family christening, she developed a range of grazing packages featuring artisan produce and customizable options. Holly celebrated the official launch at the Shrewsbury Arms in Albrighton with support from local collaborators and has already secured bookings for large events. She aims to create visually striking, personalised displays that bring people together and spark conversation.

Mary Beard discusses the launch of her new podcast Instant Classics, created with Charlotte Higgins to bring an accessible and lively perspective to the ancient Greek and Roman world. She reflects on the value of looking beyond traditional narratives, highlighting women’s experiences and everyday life in antiquity. Beard also comments on aging, media portrayals of older people and her own experiences of growing older, while noting the importance of supporting older generations. She speaks about her long marriage, ongoing intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for new projects as the podcast debuts.

Nik Kershaw reflects on his rise in the 1980s, his Live Aid performance and his shift from performing to songwriting before returning to solo work. He discusses the creative processes behind his songs, the inspiration for his new book and upcoming vinyl releases, and the format of his intimate theatre tour, which includes audience Q&A sessions. He highlights how songwriting differs when writing for other artists and notes that some of his most successful work came together quickly. Tour dates across the West Midlands accompany the launch of his new book and music releases.

Andrea Jacholnik, owner of Peony Lane Interiors in Wombourne, describes how she built her homeware boutique into a popular destination through careful product sourcing, personal styling services and a focus on a calming in‑store experience. She expanded the business with a rebrand, developed a strong social media following and now attracts customers from across the UK. Her services include home styling and Christmas installations, including work for Birmingham City Football Club. Approaching the shop’s seventh anniversary, she continues to prioritise unique, timeless pieces and meaningful customer relationships.

Sunny Paul from Wolverhampton launched Amaya Chairs, a bespoke Maiyan furniture business inspired by his uncomfortable experience during his own wedding ceremony, developing a range of hireable suites used by couples nationwide. Alongside his full‑time job, he pursued stand‑up comedy, performing across the country, and created The Appauling Podcast to spotlight creatives and entrepreneurs, gaining significant online traction. He aims to encourage others to follow their ambitions, emphasising that it is never too late to pursue personal goals.

Nik Kershaw announces a West Midlands theatre tour coinciding with the release of his new book exploring the stories behind his songs and featuring a special vinyl edition of his Songs From The Shelf series. The tour includes dates in Walsall, Dudley, Stafford and Birmingham, offering intimate shows with music, stories and a Q&A session. The article highlights Kershaw’s long career, major hits and contributions to other artists’ successes.

After leaving her teaching job in 2017 to start a design business and care for her son, printmaker Sue Halstead has returned to teaching by running linocut printmaking workshops across the West Midlands. Drawing inspiration from nature and the British countryside, she creates hand‑carved linocut designs that she sells online and through local shops. Her workshops aim to build confidence in beginners, and strong feedback has led her to establish a monthly print club. She continues her creative work alongside a part‑time role at the Red House Glass Cone.

Author Mark Edwards celebrates the release of his first hardback novel, The Wasp Trap, published by Penguin Michael Joseph and due for US publication by Simon & Schuster in September. He reflects on his 30-year journey to achieving a widely distributed hardback and recent milestones including visiting his US publisher. The book, his 23rd, is inspired partly by his past and centres on a tense dinner party where old colleagues confront buried secrets. Edwards will hold promotional events at Waterstones Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth Library.

Staff at Teddy Bears Nursery created a fairy-themed garden library to honour nursery nurse Victoria Powers, who died in 2024 after secondary cancer. Inspired by her love of reading, the space features a mural depicting a fairy designed with personal touches. Her son Jacob opened the library during an event attended by staff, parents and children, reflecting the deep affection and lasting impact she had on the nursery community.

A profile of funeral director Stuart Love details his transition from police community support officer to VIP chauffeur and ultimately to founding Love’s Independent Funeral Directors in Stafford. Supported by his parents and business partners, he established the firm in the historic Primrose Cottage, offering personalised funeral services and a welcoming environment for grieving families. The piece highlights his commitment to compassionate care, the range of funeral options available, growing interest in direct cremations, and his work with Golden Charter to provide pre‑paid funeral plans.

Simon Hill describes the rapid growth of his career as Walsall FC’s pitchside announcer and an international esports host, highlighting expanded responsibilities at the club, major event appearances at Wembley, and global esports engagements. He reflects on memorable moments such as announcing international matches, contributing to Walsall’s Family Excellence Gold Award, and hosting the Rainbow 6 European T2 Grand Finals. Hill aims to continue developing his career, with ambitions to host the Esports World Cup and help Walsall achieve future success while maintaining strong connections with fans.