'A kick in the teeth'
'A kick in the teeth'
Brum hospitality says no to Starmer smoking ban
Good morning — here is your Friday briefing.
The best news in today’s Dispatch is that World Cinema Day is coming around again this Saturday. The third edition of this nationwide event means you can see a huge range of films for as little as £4 — some venues are even offering deals on popcorn. Before we get to that, we have your usual round-up of local stories, including which restaurant has been crownd the best in the city for 2024.
Do look out for our weekend read, winging its way into your inboxes at 7am tomorrow, in which we take a closer look at why some people think we have been misled about the city’s bankruptcy. As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Finally, I — this is editor Kate, hi — will be on leave all of next week but The Dispatch isn’t going anywhere. Your Monday briefing will contain details of three entertaining and thought-provoking stories that we have prepared for the first week of September.
"Intelligent, full accounts of what is going on locally without the shocking clickbaity adverts. Well done and good luck.” — Dispatch member.
Brum in brief
🚭Smoking ban bother: The co-founder of popular street food and live events venue Hockley Social Club has called government plans to ban smoking in pub gardens a “kick in the teeth”. Jack Brabant told the Independent the company had spent a lot of money on improving its outdoor terraces, including a new smoking area, saying that on top of increased utility bills, Covid and the rising cost of living, the ban would be “one more issue to deal with”. Read the full story.
👩⚖️Dangerous driver sentenced: A driver who crashed into a woman and child while high on alcohol and cocaine has been given a 32-month sentence. Shahbaz Khan, 29, was driving at triple the speed limit when he ran two red lights on Kings Heath High Street after leaving the gym on 15 June last year. The 21-year-old woman suffered broken bones and her eight-year-old brother a life-threatening head injury. Full story here.
🏃♀️The wrong legacy? Plans to turn part of the Alexander Stadium into a public gym have caused controversy, with some people saying the facilities should be used exclusively by athletes. Birmingham City Council has submitted the plans to use part of the venue’s High Performance Centre that contains tracks and equipment for elite athletes and was developed for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. A petition has been created opposing the plans. One signatory wrote: “This was not the legacy we envisioned.” Full story here.
🍽️Brum’s ‘best resto’: Swish city centre restaurant Orelle has won best restaurant in Birmingham at the British Restaurant Awards 2024. The modern French eatery sits on the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row with panoramic views of the city. General Manager Richard Chiswell said it was “a real boost for our incredible team that works so hard”.
🍲In other foodie news, Alex Claridge’s new restaurant Albatross Death Cult has been added to the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland. Read more.
📽️The movies — for less: See any film you like for just £4 this Saturday as movie theatres drop their prices for World Cinema Day. Vue, Odeon, Showcase and Cineworld are all taking part, as well as indie Mockingbird in the Custard Factory. We’re desperate to catch Sing but there is a wide range of screenings, from blockbusters to art house films, so plenty to choose from.
Ahhhh 2007 indoor smoking ban discourse is BACK with a vengeance! Maybe more people could enjoy the patio areas if it was smoke-free?
i wonder re smoking ban if the goverment increased the tax on sale of bottle and canned beer/wine (alcohol) etc products.. but not those sold in draught form, that would help hospitality by making it cheaper to drink in a pub than to pre load at home?? Or has society changed and the pub is doomed like the ciagrette? Personally i love a smoke free pub.