Bentley Motors has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch. The new facility, opened today by Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG, and Bentley’s Board of Management, will be pivotal to the brand’s preparations for the first Bentley BEV. The world’s first Urban Luxury SUV will be launched next year and today’s opening sets a key milestone in transforming the 85-year old site for a new age of electrification. Bentley’s industry-leading Beyond100+ strategy will see the company reinvent its entire product range to support an electrified future. The company’s new digital,…

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…

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 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…

Birmingham City Council has appointed a new Director of Public Health. Sally Burns is currently Director of Public Health and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council. She previously served as Corporate Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods at City of York Council before moving into public health. She developed her career in public health in authorities in East London. Sally is an experienced local authority director with a strong background in community and regulatory services. Throughout her career, Sally has overseen a wide range of services, including housing and housing maintenance, homelessness, environmental services, community safety, leisure, culture, community development, emergency…

(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…

Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and young musicians from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra raised the roof at the city’s premiere music venue as they put on an incredible display of live music for more than 2,500 local students on Tuesday 11 February, 2025. Wolverhampton Music Service provided free tickets to secondary and special schools across the Black Country for 2 concerts at The University of Wolverhampton at The Halls. Students were able to learn about the development of orchestral music through the years, with performances of pieces by Charpentier, Beethoven, Mozart, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Holst, Christopher Tin and John Williams, and there was also…

This is a balanced budget for 2025/26, subject to the outcome of the final local government settlement. It includes proposals for spending, efficiencies and council tax. “ The Government must address funding for local authorities to enable councils to meet rising demand, particularly in social care. Walsall Council has a track record of strong financial management, but it is not sustainable for us to keep raising council tax and using our reserves to balance the budget. This is a national crisis that this council can’t solve on its own. What is needed is a fair, multi-year government settlement in future…

Wolverhampton’s Young Poet Laureate and Primary Poet Champion were officially unveiled at this year’s Wolverhampton Literature Festival. Young Poet Laurate Agneta Krieva, from Ormiston SWB Academy, and Primary Poet Champion Florence Ehigie, from SS Mary & John’s Primary Academy, were chosen from dozens of budding poets after winning a competition organised by Wolverhampton’s library service. This year, children and young people are asked to write a poem about friendship entitled ‘Life is better with friends’. Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “For the past 5 years, our library service has been…