'Easter Day double header'
Plus: Street racing crack down
Dear Patchers — welcome to Thursday and your daily briefing.
We had a great response to yesterday’s piece about the ups and downs of community-run libraries. Leila Rasheed said the article “nails the problems” with the volunteer-led model and Anne Amison said it was an “example of short-term savings, long-term worsening of people's lives.” Dawn Whitfield said it was a “great piece on our previous libraries” which enrich our lives. I love reading your comments, so keep them coming please!
On to the Brum in Brief: A new fund to help small businesses in the region has been launched today. If you’re after support to help your venture grow, check it out in the leading item. We also have news of a UB40 X Birmingham City FC collaboration, a long-awaited street racing ban, and a couple of protests due to take place this weekend.
Finally, don’t forget to call your mother, or better yet, take her out for the day. We’ve found a couple of interesting options to consider.
Brum in Brief
💰A £400 million investment fund has launched to help small businesses in the West Midlands. The fund will drive economic growth using investment strategies tailored to the needs of firms. The fund is the second of its kind set up by the British Business Bank, and offers a range of finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million. Christopher Randall, Founder and Creative Director, Second Home Studios, said “The support we received from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund allowed us to expand our premises in order to embark on a brand new stop-motion animated series for Channel 5.” Find out more and apply here.
⚽UB40 will kick off its 2024 world tour with a concert at St Andrews @ Knighthead Park (the slightly confusing new name for the stadium that reflects its ownership by American capital investors). The concert is part of an ‘Easter Day Double Header’ with the Sky Bet Championship match versus Preston North End which kicks off at 3 pm. The UB40 concert is included in the price of the ticket for the match.
💰A three-year street racing ban has been brought in across Birmingham and the Black Country. The order prohibits drivers, riders and passengers from racing anywhere in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall until 27 February 2027. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "It allows us to deal with offenders without criminalising everyone.” The news comes as road safety campaigners, Better Streets for Birmingham, prepare for their latest protest following the death of Khizer Hanif whose stationary car was driven into on the Soho Road two weekends ago. The demonstration will take place outside Handsworth Library on Sunday at 1pm.
🪧In other protest news, the Selly Oak Palestine Solidarity Group will lobby Steve McCabe outside his surgery on Saturday from 10am. The group is opposed to McCabe’s position as Chair of Labour Friends of Israel and his refusal to call for a ceasefire.
🍸Well prepared sons and daughters can book a special Mother’s Day treat ahead of 10 March at Chinese restaurant Tattu and enjoy their limited edition cocktail, Divine Bloom. Rum, Cointreau, lychee and butterfly pea tea make up the special drink to be accompanied by a Mother’s Day sharing menu. Meals cost £49 per person (and a somewhat indulgent £6.50 extra per macaroon). You can book here.
💆♀️The Nurture Club — A Celebration of Mothers is an afternoon for reflection with creative workshops, guest speakers, and a market. Children get in for free and a family of four can go for £10 at Artum in the Jewellery Quarter.
re Mothers' Day, surely we are missing a trick with all those mums who happen to like rock music. I reckon a one-off celebration of Mothers in Erdington is long overdue for Mothers' Day!
Just read item about Steve McCabe being hassled because he has different views to some others. What happened to freedom of choice, the right to have an opinion! Usual bullying by left wing wallies