Walsall Trading Standards, in partnership with West Midlands Police and a specialist search dog team, including sniffer dogs Griff, Bran and Cooper, searched seven retail premises and one associated vehicle. Illegal goods were found in the vehicle and all shops visited, including across storeroom floors, hidden concealments, and even inside a jigsaw puzzle box. The seizures removed more than 150,000 cigarettes, 20.5kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco, and 1543 illegal disposable vapes from Walsall’s streets. “ Our Trading Standards team really put the pieces together with this investigation, managing to find goods which pose a real danger to our residents…

The introduction of an additional 48 hours per week of community patrols has been welcomed by those working and shopping in Walsall town centre. Walsall Council has funded additional patrols during peak times, following feedback from residents and traders about community safety in the town centre. Community support officers from RG8 are on hand to help reassure members of the public and help deter anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre. The increase in patrols has already been well-received by local traders and residents. Solomon and Jade are regularly patrolling the town centre and shared their insights of how…

Work to build a new state-of-the-art Household Waste Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station in Walsall has ramped up on Middlemore Lane in Aldridge. In the last few weeks, tarmac has been laid to create the bays where residents will be able to recycle their waste for years to come. External cladding has also been fitted to buildings on the site, with both the waste transfer station and reuse shop now taking shape. Work at the site is expected to be complete by summer 2025, with a view to operations starting later in the year. “ The site is progressing…

Walsall Council is highlighting the importance of healthy eating and hydration during Nutrition and Hydration Week (17-23 March) and encouraging residents to take advantage of the support offered by Be Well Walsall. The annual campaign which has been running since March 2012 focuses on the simple steps everyone can take to improve their overall health and wellbeing through better nutrition and hydration. Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated is crucial for physical and mental health. It is also one of the council’s Eight Steps to Wellbeing to help residents learn what is important to keep them healthy, independent and…

Old Hall School, on Bentley Lane, Walsall, opened its new site, ‘The Nest’ in Darlaston on 25 February 2025. The Nest will provide specialist Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision for over 40 children with severe learning disabilities and complex Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). The council has supported the transformation of a disused nursery into a new, inclusive learning environment. The investment reflects both the council’s and school’s commitment to expand the number of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities places in Walsall. The Nest is home to four purpose-built classrooms, two sensory rooms, a dedicated wellbeing room, outdoor spaces…

Held at St Michael and All Angels Church and attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr Derrick Anderson CBE and the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, the service offered time and space for remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Reverend Alison Morris, Vicar at St Michael’s, led the service which featured readings by Nasar Iqbal (Black Country Innovate) and Pastor Monica Anderson (Walsall Faith Forum), performances from Trudia Ward, Huntley Mitchel and Pelsall Ladies Choir, as well as reflections from several faith and community leaders and representatives, creating an inclusive environment of reflection for all. Dr A Kuravi, Clinical…

In the past year, Birmingham City Council’s Empty Homes Team has brought 369 empty homes back into use. Birmingham City Council is encouraging residents to report empty properties to them so they can be brought back into use for National Empty Homes Week, which is taking place from 3 March to 9 March. Mr Nasir Whaind lived next door to an empty home, which was affecting his family’s life, so he reported it to the council. The empty home near Kings Heath had become neglected and dilapidated over time. It had also become a haven for rats due to the…

Origin, the UK focused industrial and logistics platform formed by HBD, part of Henry Boot, and Feldberg Capital, has started on site with the first phase of SPARK, a £100 million scheme in Walsall. Contractor Bowmer and Kirkland have been appointed to deliver the first two units of 255,000sq ft and 18,000sq ft which will both be ready for occupation by Q4 2025. SPARK is a 44 acre regeneration project which, once complete, will deliver a total of 620,000sq ft of high spec, net zero carbon enabled space within the region’s manufacturing and logistics heartland. Just minutes from J9 and…

Walsall Council and contractor Tarmac have completed works to widen the footpath on Rayboulds Bridge Road, to better connect the A34 Green Lane to the canal and nearby houses. The previous footpath was not wide enough for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Funded through Walsall Town Deal, the improvements are a small part of a wider scheme to improve sustainable transport across the borough, making it easier for people to walk and cycle. “ It’s great to see another active travel scheme completed successfully. With funding through the Town Deal we are working hard as a council to improve active travel across…

Walsall Council, together with the Walsall Community Network, is hosting a special event to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday 7 March 2025. The event hosted at the Brownhills Community Association, WS8 7JE, from 12:30am to 2:30 pm, will focus on promoting inclusivity, women’s resilience, and the diverse career journeys of women. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “Accelerate Action,” the event aims to foster collective efforts to drive meaningful change and promote inclusivity. Over 20 leads from voluntary organisations and community groups across the borough are expected to attend. Among the inspirational speakers will be two speakers from the…