A chef who runs a Michelin-starred restaurant fears a new venture will have to close without government aid.

Aktar Islam, of Opheem on Summer Row, Birmingham, recently opened Pulperia in nearby Brindley Place and said he feared 40 jobs would be lost there.

Image source, Dyson Media

He said: "We were unable to furlough the majority of the team at Pulperia as they had only joined us on 28 February, so did not qualify for the Job Retention Scheme."

He is supporting a campaign called #RaiseTheBar, which is calling for the rateable value thresholds for hospitality businesses to be raised from £51,000 to £150,000, so they can access coronavirus grants.

People planning a trip to the countryside this weekend are being warned by the Wildlife Trust that animals "may be closer than you think".

The trust's senior conservation manager in Staffordshire, Jeff Sim, explained the lack of human activity during lockdown meant "there are singing birds nesting where they wouldn't normally".

Image source, Getty Images

The Roaches in Staffordshire (pictured above) have been prepared for visitors this weekend, but Mr Sim urged people to check online before they left, because not all parks or car parks would be open.

And after the recent dry weather he asked people not to bring barbecues, in case they started fires.

Coventry Live

From the Coventry Telegraph:

• CCTV image released after man attacked in the street, external
• Moped rider dies following crash, external
• Appeal for Coventry foster carers, external

Reports of people drinking alcohol and causing damage while flouting lockdown guidelines in Newcastle-under-Lyme have prompted police to send out extra patrols.

The borough council says it's installing improved CCTV systems in parts of the town to catch people breaking the rules.

Image source, Google

The authority said the issues involved a range of individuals rather than a single group or age group and had tried to engage with them, but was pursuing a different approach after being "met with a limited response".

BBC Radio Stoke

A member of the public was shot at from a block of flats in Stoke-on-Trent last night, police say.

The Staffordshire force said officers were called to London Road at about 19:00. The street was closed for several hours while they investigated.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of assault and damage in connection with inquiries.

Shropshire Star

Here are three stories from the Shropshire Star:

• Toilets and play areas remain shut, external
• Solar panels could provide electricity for 3,000 homes, external
• Tributes to 'warm and kind' former Star journalist, external

As lockdown is eased, we all become participants in a vast, very cautious observational experiment, experts say.

Alex Hepburn was jailed in April 2019 for five years after being convicted of rape.

BBC Business News

Rail passengers have been urged not to turn up at stations without an advance ticket and to wear face coverings when they travel on the West Coast Mainline.

Image source, Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast made the announcement as part of new social distancing on its services between Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

Passengers might be refused travel if the guidelines are not followed.

Shops onboard Voyager services, which travel between London and destinations such as Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Edinburgh and North Wales, will be closed with no food and drink available.

A Post Office has got creative to ease the frustration of customers as the site observes social distancing measures.

With just a single staff member currently at Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, there's a one-in-one-out policy to keep customers safe while they go about their business.

Here's some notices about the rules that are sure to make you smile...

Image source, Chris Kelsall

Image source, Chris Kelsall

The waste and recycling centre at Hanford in Stoke-on-Trent had 230 visitors yesterday on its first day of opening since lockdown began.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said at one point about 70 people were queuing for two hours.

Traffic restrictions will remain at the site today, and Stoke-on-Trent's other recycling centre, in Burslem, re-opened at 09:00.

BBC Weather

It's forecast to be warm with some sunny spells. Highs of 15C/59F.

This lovely snap was taken in Bournville, Birmingham, earlier by BBC Weather Watcher OgySnaps.

Image source, OgySnaps

Scientists at the University of Warwick have warned relaxing the lockdown too quickly could cause a "sizeable, second epidemic wave".

And their study, external suggested "cautious, measured approach" is required for the lifting of lockdown.

Image source, Getty Images

Dr Mike Tildesley, who led the University of Warwick study, said social distancing and working from home are likely to be features of our lives until a vaccine is available.

He recommended:

• reopening non-essential shops and businesses only where social-distancing measures can be put in place
• those who can working at home for the foreseeable future
• possible longer-term shielding for older people, who are known to be more vulnerable to severe disease

And if there was any sign of the infection rate increasing, control measures would need to be reintroduced quickly.

Human remains found in two suitcases in the Forest of Dean are believed to be that of a woman, police said.

The discovery was made on Tuesday evening on the A4136 between Coleford and Monmouth.

A woman in her 20s from Birmingham and a man in his 30s from Wolverhampton were arrested and remain in custody.

Forensic examinations are contuining to try to identify the victim.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email,Twitter , externaland Facebook., external

As rules on moving are eased, Julie and Dave hope to be in their flat in time for their first child.

Former owners Jane and Nigel Chalenor have donated £120,000 from ticket sales to Severn Hospice.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with more news from around the West Midlands from 08:00 tomorrow.

Terry Ma has recovered and is treating coronavirus patients at a Birmingham hospital.

NHS staff applauded as a former colleague was sent home from hospital where he'd spent 35 days in intensive care with Covid-19.

Stephen Gibson, who'd worked for the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust for 40 years, retired two years ago.

His former workmates were there to clap and cheer as he was discharged.