L-R Paul McCormick (Speller Metcalfe), Holly Winby (Speller Metcalfe), Cllr Adrian Andrew, Associate Leader Walsall Council, Kate Moore (Speller Metcalfe), Samuel Minett-Smith (Speller Metcalfe) and Matthew Bailey (Speller Metcalfe) Bloxwich Launchpad is a new and exciting digital skills hub in the heart of Bloxwich due to open in Spring 2025, it will be housed in the former Post Office on Market Place. The scheme is funded through the Bloxwich Town Deal and aims to improve access to digital skills support and training, as well as business support, for the people of Bloxwich. As part of the agreement with Walsall Council,…

The UK’s used car market grew by 5.5% to 7,643,180 transactions in 2024, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Marking eight quarters of continuous growth, the year saw 400,488 more vehicles change hands than in 2023, with growth in the new car market fuelling availability and wider choice within the used sector.1 Transactions rose in every month in 2024, as they did in 2023, with Q4 up 4.0% to 1,746,051 units. The top three popular body types remained the same for another year, with superminis taking the top spot,…

Walsall Council has installed new equipment and scheduled a series of Community Workout sessions to help residents maximise the benefits of these new additions. The new equipment is now available at Aldridge Airport, Pelsall Common, Pleck Park, and Holland Park. An additional set of equipment is scheduled for installation at Walsall Arboretum, with the anticipated completion date set for Spring 2025. “ The new equipment encourages healthy physical activity and, most importantly, is free for everyone to use. We hope that having this new equipment will attract more people to try it out for the first time. Outdoor gym facilities…

Advances in understanding the basic biology behind the causes of diabetic retinopathy could have potential therapeutic implications later down the line. A recent paper published by the experimental ophthalmology team at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing in Nature Communications, sheds light on the mechanisms that cause eye damage in as many as 80% of people who have had diabetes for several decades. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, a result of high blood sugar levels damaging the retina at the back of the eye. It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated, so regular check-ups are important for…

Balsall Common – Young Driver, the UK’s foremost under-17s driver-training company, has just taken delivery of its first Suzuki Swifts as part of a 170-car deal with Suzuki UK that will see children given more than 150,000 lessons a year in the new model. After 15 years and nearly 1.5 million lessons, Young Driver has been responsible for dramatically reducing accident rates among its alumni, with only 3.3% of former students being involved in accidents in the first six months after passing their driving test*, versus the national average of 20%**. The company, led by motor industry stalwart Ian Mulingani,…

The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach will be hosting a fashion show in aid of her 3 chosen charities later this month – featuring preloved outfits from the Beacon Centre’s network of shops. Charity Fashion and Fizz takes place at the Beacon Centre, Wolverhampton Road, on Tuesday 25 February. Doors open at 6pm and the fashion show, featuring over a dozen models, starts at 6.30pm. Tickets, which must be booked in advance, are available at Beacon Centre for the Blind and cost £15, including a glass of prosecco or alcohol free alternative on arrival. Clothing will be on sale on the…

A boost of almost £10 million has been earmarked for city highways improvements – with continued road surfacing projects to tackle potholes. Investment from the highways capital programme for 2025/26 will be bolstered by an extra £500,000 City of Wolverhampton Council commitment, bringing the total to £9.7 million. Potholes are a priority for the council and over the past year more than 7,900 have been repaired. But with more than 740 kilometres of carriageway to manage, prevention work is key. That is why the council uses a data driven, informed strategy to identify where targeted surfacing works can extend the…

A brand-new, purpose-built mental health unit has officially opened at the Dorothy Pattison Hospital in Walsall. “ I’m delighted that the new state-of-the-art mental health unit for older adults at the Dorothy Pattison Hospital in Walsall is now open. This unit will make a real difference and enhance the quality of care provided to patients, their carers and families. Many of these patients will have dementia and this new facility will ensure they receive the dignity, care and support they need. We are committed to working with our partners to provide the best possible care for our residents and…

MILLIONS of vehicles could soon fail their MOT due to unresolved safety recalls – overwhelming workshops and leaving frustrated customers scrambling for repairs. That’s the warning from data experts ADS, who say that cars may soon be failed if a recall has been missed. ADS points out that the most recent figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency suggest that abrupt implementation of a new MOT failure or advisory rule relating to outstanding recalls would see dealers overwhelmed with workshop demand – and countless customers off the road. More than five million cars are potentially affected because franchise dealers…

(L-R): Breaking ground at the Canalside South site are West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, Pat McFadden MP (Wolverhampton South East), Canal & River Trust Regional Director – West Midlands, Henriette Breukelaar, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Simkins, and Wavensmere Managing Director, James Dickens Wavensmere Homes has commenced work on site to redevelop 17.5 acres of former industrial land in Wolverhampton city centre into the £150m Canalside South scheme. Having lain derelict for 15 years, the brownfield site will be transformed into over 530 energy efficient homes, complemented by a range of new commercial and community amenities. Established…