Tamlyn Jones

Weezer will bring its Gathering Tour to Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on May 21, 2027, supported by Taking Back Sunday. General ticket sales begin on August 14, with a Live Nation presale available from August 13. The article outlines the tour schedule, ticket providers and practical advice for fans preparing to buy tickets.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor will perform in Birmingham on September 24 at The Alexandra theatre as part of a six-date UK tour titled “Violence Insane in a Beautiful World.” The tour promotes his seventh solo studio album, due for release in September and featuring the Ndlovu Youth Choir from South Africa on several tracks, including the first single. Taylor said the album responds to the violence and turmoil in current world affairs and emphasizes kindness, while expressing excitement about the new music and the upcoming intimate-venue shows.

Bridgnorth Aluminium reduced its pre-tax loss from £7.27 million to £2.34 million in 2025 while increasing turnover by £62.3 million to £292.3 million. The Shropshire manufacturer attributes the improvement to restructuring, tighter cost controls, operational efficiencies, product-quality improvements and investment in new equipment. It is also diversifying beyond traditional markets into packaging, construction and electric vehicles, including a five-year agreement to supply battery-grade aluminium foil to Lotte Aluminium Materials USA. Supported by Viohalco, lenders and shareholders, the company says it has moved from stabilisation into recovery despite volatile energy prices.

UK petrol prices have risen to an average of 160p per litre, their highest level since November 2022, amid the continuing impact of the Iran-related oil crisis. Diesel averages 179p per litre, while filling a family-sized car now costs about £88 for petrol and £98 for diesel. PetrolPrices.com data identifies the three cheapest petrol and diesel stations in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and West Bromwich, with prices varying substantially between locations.

Alton Towers will extend its opening hours until 7pm from 14 to 31 August 2026 as part of its summer programme. Standard tickets include access to the waterpark and Minecraft experience, while summer short breaks are available from £87 per person through 1 September. The resort is promoting attractions including the Minecraft Meet the Mobs event, Nemesis Reborn and Toxicator, alongside accommodation options across its hotels, lodges and pods. Operations director Mina Fattahi advised visitors to begin at rides at the back of the park to avoid queues.

International Day of Birmingham will return on September 24 and 25, 2026, expanding to two days at the city's historic Council House. Around 50 events will celebrate Birmingham's diverse communities, arts and culture, including a communal “Alright bab” chant, a flag-raising ceremony and activities linked to Birmingham’s international namesakes. The event originated from Joe Lycett’s Sky programme United States of Birmingham and will feature local figures including Ayan Aden, Trevor Beattie and Carl Chinn. Joe Lycett will not attend, while organisers say they are seeking selected commercial and strategic partners to support the growing festival.

Independent estate agency Berriman Eaton has invested £125,000 to create a dedicated lettings department at its Bridgnorth office after recording more than 50% growth in regional activity over the past year. The firm now manages over 500 rental properties and says demand is rising across Bridgnorth, rural Shropshire, Newport and Telford. Harry Brueton has been promoted to lead the department, which has already handled 30% of agreed lettings in the Bridgnorth area since opening.

Severn Trent has commissioned Surfbee, an autonomous battery-powered drone equipped with cameras, sampling equipment and temperature monitors, to assess river and waterway health. The drone can collect data on pollutants such as phosphates and nitrates, reach areas that may be dangerous or difficult for staff to access, and complete monitoring missions more quickly than traditional methods. Severn Trent says it is investing £2 billion to improve river health, reduce storm-overflow spills and upgrade sewage treatment capacity.

Whitbread will close all 106 Beefeater restaurants on September 10 and its 89 Brewers Fayre sites on September 7, including venues across Shropshire and the West Midlands. The closures form part of a plan to exit the branded restaurant sector, save about £250 million and return £2 billion to shareholders, with approximately 3,800 jobs expected to be lost nationwide.

DJH has expanded its regional footprint by acquiring long‑established accountancy firm Thorne Widgery, integrating its offices, staff and client base across Shrewsbury, Ludlow and Hereford. The leadership team of Thorne Widgery will remain in place as the firm joins a national group that now operates 19 offices and employs nearly 900 people. DJH leaders highlighted the acquired firm's strong local reputation and its software development capabilities for the academies sector as key strengths that will support further growth opportunities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Businesses, charities, community groups and motorsport suppliers are being invited to exhibit at a new rally festival at Weston Park near Shifnal on September 19. Held alongside the Hills Ford Stages Rally, the event is expected to feature around 150 rally cars, family entertainment, education and road-safety activities, food, refreshments and a trade village. Organizers say the festival aims to support Shropshire’s economy, encourage visitors to explore local businesses and create a community-focused event rather than a traditional trade show; applications for trade stands are open.

West Midlands unemployment fell by 0.5 percentage points to 5.2% in the three months to May 2026, while the employment rate rose slightly to 73.4% and inactivity increased to 22.6%. Across the UK, vacancies declined by 7,000 to 712,000, driven mainly by small businesses facing higher labour and operating costs. Private-sector regular wage growth fell to 2.9%, although overall wage growth remained 3.4% because of public-sector increases, including NHS pay awards. Experts said the labour-market deterioration may have bottomed out but warned that rising energy prices linked to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could reverse the improvement.

GWR Small Prairie No 5526, built in Swindon in 1928, will visit the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Steam Gala from September 17 to 20. The locomotive, loaned by the South Devon Railway, is the third confirmed guest, joining Ivatt Class 2MT No 41313 and GWR Pannier Tank No 9681. It will operate alongside the Severn Valley Railway's newly overhauled GWR Large Prairie No 4150 on the 16-mile Kidderminster–Bridgnorth line, with one further visiting locomotive still to be announced.

New research shows Staffordshire Moorlands has one of the UK’s highest proportions of independent coffee shops, with 95.3% classed as non‑chain, ranking ninth nationally and first in the West Midlands. Other districts in the region show varied performance, with Herefordshire, South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton following. Overall, 74.9% of West Midlands cafés are independent, slightly below the UK average. The study, conducted by SEO agency Dark Horse using hygiene‑rating data, highlights strong national support for independently run cafés, with nearly all UK local authorities having a majority of independent establishments.

Market Drayton-based Joule's Brewery has received approval to invest more than £2 million revamping The New Inn, a historic pub in Harborne, Birmingham, which dates to 1845. The plans will retain the original bar and Victorian parlour rooms while adding new spaces and developing a beer garden. Work is expected to begin next year, with the pub continuing to trade in the meantime. The project is Joule's largest investment in one of its taphouses; the brewery has also recently completed a £500,000 restoration of The Red Lion in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.

Mountain Warehouse will open a 4,745-square-foot store on Bridgnorth High Street on July 18, occupying the former Original Factory Shop premises and creating seven jobs. The store will sell outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment. The opening forms part of the company’s broader UK and international expansion plans, which include 50 new openings and relocations, while the former tenant entered administration earlier in the year.

Hair by Kate Ledbrook, a Birmingham salon founded by hairstylist Kate Ledbrook, has been shortlisted for Best Hair Business in The UK Small Business Awards. The nomination recognizes its hairdressing services, premium extensions and luxury colour work. Ledbrook said the recognition was a major milestone after recently becoming self-employed. Finalists will attend the awards ceremony at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on December 19, when the national top ten winners will be announced.

Utilita Arena Birmingham is selling tickets for a 4theFans screening of the World Cup final on July 19, with prices starting at £11 and VIP options available. The event will include a DJ and appearances by football legends, with doors opening at 5pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off. Buyers will receive a refund if England fails to reach the final after its semi-final against Argentina.

Ninety West Midlands companies entered administration in the first half of 2026, up 61% from the same period in 2025, making the region the UK’s fourth worst affected. National administrations rose 48% to 1,159, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time since 2010. Real estate experienced the sharpest increase, while manufacturing, construction and hospitality also deteriorated; retail administrations fell slightly. Shakespeare Martineau attributed the trend to high borrowing costs, inflation, operating expenses, subdued growth, cautious consumer spending, geopolitical pressures and changing demand caused by hybrid working.

Bridgnorth Aluminium marked 25 years under the ownership of Greek industrial group Viohalco by unveiling a new slitting line, bringing total investment in its Bridgnorth factory to £180 million. The company has returned to 24/7 production after a difficult 2023/24, created 35 jobs in the first half of 2026, and expanded into aluminium supplies for energy, cleaner mobility and battery development, including a five-year deal with Lotte Aluminium USA. Viohalco reaffirmed its commitment to UK manufacturing, while the company donated £25,000 to charities and community groups and pledged £6,000 annually to maintain Bridgnorth’s community garden.

Sales at Jaguar Land Rover fell in the first quarter of 2026–27 due to supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East and a fire at a key component supplier. Wholesale and retail volumes declined across most major markets, with China showing the largest decreases, while the Middle East and North Africa recorded a modest rise in wholesale sales. Planned reductions in older Jaguar models ahead of new launches also contributed to lower figures.

The British Retriever Trophy will hold its inaugural gundog competition at the 8,500-acre Apley Estate near Shifnal on June 19–20, 2027. About 70 elite handlers from the UK and Europe are expected to compete in simulated hunting tests using dummy retrieves, with a £22,000 prize fund including £10,000 for the winner. Organizers say the family-friendly event will showcase canine training and boost Shropshire tourism, while tickets are already on sale.

A joint venture between Sixth Street and Henley Investment Management plans to consult on redeveloping Birmingham’s Martineau Place. The scheme could provide up to 1,500 homes, 280,000 square feet of offices, retail and restaurants, potentially including a 60-storey tower, while dedicating more than half the site to public spaces and walking and cycling routes. A public consultation is scheduled for July 16, 2026.

Surrey-based LRG acquired the long‑running West Midlands estate agency Doolittle & Dalley, which operates in Bridgnorth and Kidderminster. The business will keep its name and staff as it joins LRG’s expanding national network. Leaders from both companies highlighted shared values of local relationships, consistency and long‑term service as key reasons behind the deal.

Shrewsbury-based property group Halls has promoted Kate Howells to lettings manager for its Telford and Kidderminster operations. Howells, who joined the company in May after gaining seven years of housing-market experience, will focus on expanding the lettings portfolio and building relationships with landlords.

Bridgnorth manufacturer Grainger & Worrall has secured £30 million in new orders after diversifying into defence, energy and aerospace alongside its automotive work. The company is investing £1 million in its Stanmore Industrial Estate plant, upgrading digital sand-printing technology and recruiting 30 employees. Chief executive Duncan Eldridge said the strategy had helped the business recover from weak automotive demand, high energy costs, tariffs and rising employment costs, while a refinancing deal is providing capital for further growth.

Natalie “Tilly” Park, founder of Bridgnorth-based ChocTilly, plans to open a chocolate academy at her shop in autumn 2026. The academy will offer classes for children and adults, tasting sessions, parties and training for people seeking careers in chocolate making, including possible apprenticeship partnerships. Park moved the business from sites in Jackfield and Much Wenlock to larger Bridgnorth premises to make the academy possible. ChocTilly, which produces vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free products, has reported a 63% year-on-year revenue increase and is also developing a range of 25 hot and iced chocolate drinks.

Mountain Warehouse is expected to open a store in the former Original Factory Shop premises at 16 High Street in Bridgnorth. A planning application has been submitted for new signage, and recruitment adverts indicate the store could open in mid-July. The retailer already operates stores in Oswestry, Telford and Wolverhampton. The grade II listed unit previously housed Woolworths and a hotel; The Original Factory Shop closed at the end of March after entering administration alongside Claire's.

Bridgnorth Aluminium has signed a five-year agreement to supply battery-grade aluminium to Kentucky-based Lotte Aluminium Materials USA for use in next-generation batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The deal supports Bridgnorth Aluminium's diversification into battery materials and follows a period of growth that included a return to 24/7 production, the creation of new jobs bringing its workforce to 368, and more than £2 million in investment in casting and slitting technology.

Unemployment in the West Midlands fell to 5.3% between February and April 2026, while the employment rate rose marginally to 73.3%. However, economic inactivity increased to 22.5%. Across the UK, vacancies declined by 19,000 quarter-on-quarter to 707,000, their lowest level since early 2021, with notable falls in retail, hospitality and professional services. Payroll employment also decreased, although wages continued to grow faster than inflation. The Office for National Statistics said employers were becoming more cautious about recruitment because of economic uncertainty and higher labour costs.

Telford-based waste management company Reconomy and Birmingham student accommodation provider Student Roost have been named among 19 UK companies recognised in Deloitte’s 2026 Best Managed Companies programme. Reconomy retained its place from the inaugural list, while Student Roost was one of ten new entrants. Company leaders Guy Wakeley and Ashling Fox welcomed the recognition, while Deloitte said the firms demonstrated strong management, entrepreneurial spirit, clear values, innovation and resilience.

JLR plans to make the United States a priority growth region and aims to expand its American business to the size of the entire company today. The automaker will introduce more propulsion options across Range Rover and Defender, launch electric models, develop US-specific luxury offerings and explore product and technology collaboration with Stellantis. JLR also reaffirmed £18 billion of investment through 2029, targeted £1.7 billion in savings and its goal of achieving double-digit growth while advancing its Reimagine strategy toward net-zero operations by 2039.

AO World reported a 145.1% rise in annual pre-tax profit to a record £50.5 million for the year ending March 31, alongside 11.4% revenue growth. The company plans to return £20 million to investors through a special dividend and share buyback, but warned that inflation, geopolitical volatility and higher employment costs remain challenging. It plans to offshore most sales and customer-contact roles to South Africa, with about 200 positions expected there by next March, while avoiding compulsory redundancies. AO World is also trialling robotics and artificial intelligence to improve warehouse efficiency.

Cameron Homes has secured £942,058 in gap funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to redevelop the vacant Audley Court site in Newport. The £13 million project will create 43 homes, including 15 affordable units, by restoring the locally listed 1908 building and incorporating air-source heat pumps, solar panels and electric-vehicle charging points. Construction is expected to begin shortly, with completion scheduled for 2028. Cameron Homes will also contribute £350,000 to local facilities and infrastructure.

Shrewsbury-based digital agency Clear has acquired Bridgnorth marketing and creative agency Buy-From in an undisclosed deal, creating a combined 33-person team. Clear will retain the Buy-From brand, move its staff to the Shrewsbury headquarters and broaden its creative, strategic and digital services. Buy-From co-founder Louise Welsby is leaving for new opportunities, while Graeme Christie is moving toward retirement; director Jessica Ralph will remain involved. Both companies said the acquisition preserves existing client relationships while providing greater expertise and resources.

Tony Bywater, chairman of Shrewsbury caravan retailer Salop Leisure, recalls attending the 1966 World Cup, including England's final victory over West Germany and Geoff Hurst's controversial second goal, which he watched from behind the goal. He also describes seeing Pelé injured, Eusébio lead Portugal's comeback against Korea DPR, and helping organise a charity match involving Hurst. Salop Leisure, founded in 1966, has pledged £50 to Severn Hospice for every England goal at the 2026 World Cup, doubling the total if England wins the tournament.

Staffordshire County Council has launched the Build and Scale programme to help businesses established for two to five years overcome growth barriers and improve productivity, turnover, profits and job creation. The initiative targets property development and construction, skilled trades and professional services, with successful applicants receiving bespoke guidance from Simplify and Scale consultant Bethan Miles.

Dudley-based WLV Plumbing and Heating is expanding after taking over Willenhall company ACS Plumbing and Heating following the death of its owner, Simon Newton. Since its three directors joined forces in 2022, WLV has grown more than five-fold, moved premises, invested in vehicles and created four jobs, now serving over 2,800 customers across the Black Country and wider West Midlands. The company plans to expand its work with air source heat pumps and train staff to install and maintain air-conditioning systems, while advising that many homes require upgrades before switching from gas and that natural gas—and potentially hydrogen—will remain important for existing housing.

Three rescue transactions have preserved 88 jobs across the Midlands. Willenhall-based JLC Form and Laser was sold to Savekers Solutions, protecting 11 jobs; Staffordshire retail support provider UK Operational Project Support was sold through a pre-packaged deal to Euro Operational Project Support, safeguarding 37 jobs; and Nottingham haulage firm Martyn Barratt Transport was sold as a going concern to Zero Degree Logistics, securing 40 jobs. PKF Smith Cooper advised on all three deals, citing inflation, supply-chain disruption, Brexit and COVID-related difficulties, while partner Dean Nelson said early intervention was crucial to preserving jobs and business value.

Ivatt Class 2 tank locomotive No 41313, built at Crewe in 1952, will appear at the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala from September 17 to 20. Loaned by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, it will be the first Isle of Wight-based locomotive to visit the Severn Valley Railway and only the third preserved Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2 tank locomotive to appear there. It is expected to operate alongside the newly restored GWR Prairie tank No 4150, subject to testing and final work, with further guest locomotives still to be announced.

In-Comm Training has launched the “I’m Included” campaign to promote women as a normal and visible part of engineering and manufacturing rather than an exception. Backed by Enginuity and nine companies, the initiative will share stories from female engineers, highlight diverse career paths and encourage businesses, educators, parents and other stakeholders to promote opportunities in the sector. The campaign responds to women representing about 16.9% of the core engineering and technology workforce, compared with 56% across other occupations, and aims to help address the industry’s skills gap. A launch video features Claire Umney, managing director of Alwayse Engineering, who emphasized the importance of role models, apprenticeships and supporting women entering, changing or returning to engineering careers.

A planning application has been submitted to convert the former Lloyds branch at 39 High Street in Cleobury Mortimer into a four-bedroom home. The branch closed in January 2023 and efforts to attract another bank reportedly failed. Proposed works include altering the windows and roofs, filling in the former cash machine and restoring historic door structures. Because the Grade II-listed building dates from the early 1800s, the proposal emphasizes conservation and continued active use while arguing that residential conversion is justified by the decline of high street banking and the building’s prolonged vacancy.

Permanent staff placements in the Midlands fell for a fourth consecutive month in May as higher business costs and uncertainty weakened employers’ long-term hiring plans. Temporary staffing billings continued to grow for a tenth month, but expansion slowed to a three-month low as businesses favoured flexibility. Permanent and temporary vacancies declined, redundancies increased the pool of available workers, and growth in starting salaries and temporary wages eased. KPMG’s Andy Bostock said the figures indicated a cautious and increasingly difficult labour market rather than a healthy recovery.

Welcome Break has submitted plans to Shropshire Council for a 2,570-square-foot Taco Bell drive-through and dine-in restaurant at its M54 services in Shifnal. The proposal would reorganize coach and caravan parking, add landscaping and a pedestrian link, and create approximately 20 to 25 jobs. If approved, it would become Shropshire’s first Taco Bell, while existing facilities and access roads would remain unchanged.

The Young Business of the Year finalists for the 2026 Express & Star Business Awards are Express Dubai Visa, Francesca's, Luxor Events, The Bookery, The Cosy Bean and Wakey Koi & Aquatics. The businesses span visa services, hospitality, events, books and aquatics, and are recognised for rapid growth, community engagement, market opportunity and future plans. Category sponsor Gough Group is also highlighted for a new construction employability programme with The Way Youth Zone, designed to address skills shortages by giving Wolverhampton young people hands-on experience, mentoring, site visits and career support.

The Express & Star Business Awards 2026 finalists in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure category are Blackbrook Barns, Compton Care, Dreamland Bedding, Fun City Dudley, Luxor Events and PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm. Their profiles highlight growth, customer service, innovation, sustainability, job creation and contributions to local economies across the Black Country and Staffordshire. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at The Halls in Wolverhampton on June 4.

The article profiles four finalists for the Express & Star Business Awards 2026 Large Business of the Year category: City of Wolverhampton Council, accountancy firm DJH, logistics company Pallet-Track and infrastructure contractor S&R Construction. Their entries highlight apprenticeship and diversity initiatives, rapid expansion through acquisitions, record logistics performance and community investment, and growth in multi-utilities and groundworks. The category is sponsored by Greenhous Commercials, which also outlines the transition toward electric HGVs and the support it provides to operators.

The finalists for the Express & Star Business Awards 2026 Business in the Community category are Allister Malcolm Glass, Doocey Group, Dreamland Bedding, Haywoods Contracts, Pallet-Track and Party Angels. Their entries highlight community investment, environmental sustainability, ethical supply chains, inclusive workplaces, charitable support and staff development across the Black Country. The category is sponsored by The Sandwell Colleges, which uses the feature to outline its apprenticeships, T Level placements, work experience and Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes as routes to address regional skills shortages and support business growth.

The six finalists for the Express & Star Business Awards 2026 Family Business of the Year category are Coinadrink, Darlaston Builders Merchants, Hughes Funeral Directors, Summit Garage, Westley Group and Will Hire. The profiles highlight multigenerational ownership, hands-on family involvement, employee development, business growth, innovation and community ties across the West Midlands. The award, sponsored by Crowe, will be presented at a ceremony at The Halls in Wolverhampton on June 4.

Claire Burnham has opened The Dog Spa Newport on the town's high street, offering full grooming, trims, pawdicures, deshedding, ear and teeth cleaning, and dog facials. After training and a year of industry experience, she invested in converting a former nail salon and currently operates the business alongside part-time PA work. Burnham says the unregulated nature of dog grooming is concerning and hopes to build her client base, move into the salon full time, and eventually create one or two local jobs.

Six finalists are profiled for the Express & Star Business Awards 2026 Apprentice of the Year category: Jude Aston and Kelly Anne Russell of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Emily Cooper of Black Country Transport, Niamh Peters of BGF Trading, Katie Robinson of Doocey Group and Mackenzie Shakespeare of IPL Schoeller. Their achievements include developing public services, producing transport-planning research, securing museum funding, improving apprentice training facilities, redesigning rehabilitation sessions and creating engineering and safety solutions. The event will take place at The Halls Wolverhampton on 4 June 2026, with Dudley College of Technology sponsoring the category and promoting its part-time adult education courses.

Housing Plus Group has opened recruitment for 12 apprenticeships across Shropshire and Staffordshire in areas including business administration, legal work, surveying and plumbing. The roles are available to new entrants, people retraining and those seeking to upskill, combining paid employment with practical experience and recognised qualifications. The group, which provides housing, care and support services across 33,000 homes, currently has more than 100 staff on apprenticeship programmes.

BCRS Business Loans has surpassed £5 million in lending through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, supporting 82 businesses across Shropshire and the Black Country and contributing to 237 new jobs. The lender says the £5.2 million distributed has generated an estimated £27.5 million in regional economic impact, with a notable share going to ethnic minority-led and female-led businesses. The £400 million fund provides debt and equity finance to Midlands small and medium-sized enterprises. Beneficiary Ace Embroidery used its loan to move to a more energy-efficient warehouse in Cradley Heath, helping it modernize operations, reduce costs and pursue new customers and markets.