Valentine's Day strike out

Plus: A shake up at The Works

Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Thursday briefing.

Congratulations to anyone who was at the Bullring at lunchtime yesterday and caught Dizzee Rascal’s surprise performance. Unfortunately, I was not, but at least I didn't fall for this photo of him “outside” Faraz Fried Chicken and nearly put it in the briefing, like Kate. If only.

Onto today, with it coming up to the end of half term, this Thursday’s briefing has a couple of affordable suggestions for parents, guardians, and carers fast depleting their reserves of creative ways to have fun.

There is also an update on Birmingham’s policing numbers (in decline), what the West Midlands labour market looks like compared to the rest of the country, why the shop many parents have dragged their offspring to this week (The Works) is changing it up at the top, and why those Deliveroo orders might have taken a little longer than usual yesterday.

We are now a 370-strong army (platoon? Squad at least, surely?) of paying members! A rapidly growing community that I hope continues to swell. I particularly enjoyed a playful note from one of our latest subscribers, Petro, who simply told us: “I want to know what is happening on Dis Patch.” Thanks, Petro. For yourself, and everyone else, we plan to keep you abreast of all the latest news plus areas that traditional journalism models won’t go near.

In fact, if you’d like to read more about Birmingham’s Ital scene, the opioid boom in Brum, or what it’s like being a writer in the second city, please do consider taking out a sub or telling your friends and family about us. Thanks, and speak soon.

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Brum in Brief

👮Birmingham bobbies in decline: The number of neighbourhood police officers in the West Midlands has declined by 31% from 2010 to 2023. Calculated by Onward in its latest report Back to Basics, the centre-right think-tank also found that PCSOs were down by 58% and special constables down by 57%. Elsewhere, the number of unanswered 101 calls in the West Midlands has more than doubled since 2020/21, with some members of the public waiting almost six hours for a response. To read more about the issues facing West Mids Police, Kate’s long read has the latest. 

📊West Midlands Labour Market: The latest government figures on West Midlands employment were released earlier this week, compiled by the ONS. Compared to UK averages, in the three months to December 2023 the West Midlands had a slightly lower employment rate (74.4% of 16-64-year-olds; compared to 75%), the same unemployment rate as the national average (3.8%) and a higher than average economic inactivity rate (22.5% of 16-64-year-olds; compared to 21.9%). Across the country, recent economic inactivity has been driven by high levels of long-term sickness. 

🎨Shakeup at The Works: Well-known Brummie retailer The Works — where one can buy everything from oil paints to the complete works of Tolkien — has appointed two new directors after a shaky Christmas Period. The Coleshill-headquartered firm will take on the directors from the investment group Kelso to boost the share value of the firm, which currently sits at its lowest level since the pandemic. In the first half of 2023, the outlet lost £6.4m. I for one hope they turn things around: no one does notebooks at such good value, and I’ve fond memories of the Aladdin’s Cave-like shops from when I wandered around as a kid.

🛵Gig economy strike hits Birmingham: Yesterday, drivers and riders for Uber, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Stuart took part in a global strike, refusing to take Valentine’s Day orders in a dispute over pay and conditions. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) confirmed that some of those striking picketed McDonald’s and KFC on the Stourbridge. Though the Birmingham strike was not expected to be as large as those taking place in other cities, Alex Marshall, President at IWGB, explained that it was a way of showing gig economy employers that riders cannot continue working in poverty. “Riders work longer and longer hours, take dangerous risks on the road, and endure punishing weather conditions in return for pennies,” he said.

🎼Free concert in Bournville: I’m increasingly interested in events that are completely financially accessible i.e. there is no charge to enter them. Almost two weeks ago, Kate and I headed down to Digbeth’s First Fridays (free), last week I went to my book club (free), and on the previous Monday I caught a showing of the brilliant The Iron Claw — Zac Efron will make you cry! — at the Mockingbird cinema, which they had put on for, wait for it, free. These events are increasingly important when the money many of us make goes a lot less far, and there are limited ways to affordably access culture. I’m very pleased to share that at 1pm on Friday, the Bournville Quakers are putting on a free lunchtime concert in Bournville. Bringing your own snacks is encouraged! Lovely stuff. Further details here.

🚴Another family activity: Usually I would diversify listings but with it coming up to the last part of half-term, I’ve also been scratching around for family-friendly activities. Another free Friday in Bournville helping: from midday, families can join a 1.5 hour bike ride along greenways and shared paths, finishing up with coffee and cake. You can sign up via eventbrite at a click.