Is Brum heading for a ‘mad coalition’ on 7 May? The government thinks so

Dear readers — welcome to another Monday and a big, eager hello to the more than 600 new readers who joined us over the past week. It’s so crammed in here that it’s starting to look a little bit like a ‘link-up’ (you should all be familiar with this teen phenomenon by now but if not do check out our recent, very popular article linked below). 

Fear not, however, there is always room for more of you: and if you fancy boosting yourself up to a paid subscription, do take us up on our spring offer. It won’t last forever — and you can get The Dispatch for less than £1 a week. A smidgen to pay for great journalism and being more connected to your city.

On with today’s briefing (exclusively for our members, free and paid alike). To kick your week off, we’ve got updates on the inevitable mud-slinging between local election candidates (which council hopeful is calling the Greens 'treacherous’?), a £2m trade in counterfeit Gucci trade being run out of Acocks Green, and your calendar of events for the next seven days. 

Read on to find out more.

Catch up and coming up:

• Last Wednesday, Mill Media’s managing editor Moya found herself surrounded by teenagers in Birmingham city centre. Realising she was witnessing a ‘link-up’ — a large gathering of teenagers, arranged online — she whipped out her dictaphone and got reporting. This one had a massive response, gaining the Dispatch hundreds of thousands of views on social media and a spot on Ed James’ Radio WM morning show. 

A hectic hour inside the teen madness on New Street

AI flyers are luring hundreds of young people to the city centre. What happens when they get there?

The DispatchMoya Lothian-McLean

• There was also much debate in the comments. Some said the event was “grim” and “intimidating” while others pointed out there isn’t enough for young people to do in the city. Moya’s view? The kids weren’t looking for trouble, they just wanted “affordable fun.”
• On Saturday, we revealed the plans that a team of Birmingham creatives say could save the Electric Cinema — and revitalise Station Street for years to come. Ian Francis of Flatpack Film Festival has spent two years leading on the development of the blueprint that one reader called: “excellent, exciting, sensible proposals.” Others weren’t so impressed, asking how they could be ‘fully costed’ without a lease confirmed. Francis and his team want to get backing for their plans, and convince the Electric’s lease-holder they’re worth pursuing. Decide what you make of them by reading our coverage.