The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a second national lockdown for the whole of England, as the UK exceeds one million COVID-19 cases. Lockdown rules to be enforced from Thursday 5 November will include the closure of non-essential shops and hospitality for 30 days, but will aim to protect workers through the return of the Government’s furlough…
West Midlands mayor Andy Street has pledged to adopt a new scheme tackling boardroom inequality, following the decision by Birmingham City Council to embrace the same initiative to tackle racial prejudice in the workplace. The new scheme – named the RACE code – aims to encourage race equality in the boardroom and is being piloted by the West Midlands…
Following the launch of the RACE Equality Code 2020, Birmingham City Council has announced that it will become an early adopter of the framework to tackle racism and racial inequality. Developed by Dr Karl George MBE following the death of George Floyd in the United States and the global Black Lives Matter campaign, it draws together…
Businesses could be subject to new fines of £10,000 if they fail to adhere to new guidance surrounding measures such as curfews and face coverings announced by the Government yesterday (September 22). In a briefing to ministers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the latest guidance to curb the increase of COVID-19 cases and prevent the…
A Birmingham restaurant has been reprimanded for breaking government health and safety rules during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Tipu Sultan restaurant, located in Moseley, is the first business in the city to receive a Direction Order from Birmingham City Council after it was found to be breaching COVID-19 guidelines.
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced the venue could be forced to cut 47 jobs following the ongoing business impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The warning of job redundancies, which would be around 40% of the theatre’s workforce, came despite an emergency package from the government for the arts sector.
A performing poet from Birmingham has set up an emergency fund to help freelancers in the arts, amid the coronavirus crisis which is leaving many self-employed artists out of work. Vicki MacWinyers, a stage manager whose résumé includes working at Birmingham REP and the mac, has set a target of £10,000 to help artists whose work has been…
A popular Birmingham city centre cafe has closed its doors after attempts to keep going by providing takeaway meals could have made it difficult for staff to benefit from the government’s Job Retention Scheme. Like many cafes, bars and restaurants affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, independent cafe bar Cherry Reds had to resort to finding alternatives to…
Iconic Birmingham pub Hare & Hounds has announced it will close its doors in a bid to curb the potential spread of coronavirus. Following government advice about large gatherings and news that pubs and cafes could soon be asked to close across the UK, the Kings Heath venue will cease trading as it weathers the…
Local residents have been left shocked as an ice cream van caught fire on a busy Smethwick street, with the flames then spreading to a local high street store. With 20 firefighters currently tackling the blaze in Cape Hill, fire safety officials and asking members of the public to maintain a distance from the fire.