Retail space has been hit hard in Coventry according to a new study which has found about 300,000 square metres of retail space was lost in England and Wales in the past year.

Image source, Getty Images

Boodle Hatfield, a private wealth and property law firm which conducted the research, told the PA news agency the decline had been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Manchester was found to have lost the largest amount of retail space, followed by Kingston upon Hull, Coventry Sheffield and Peterborough.

"The retail landscape is continuing to contract with more and more space being taken out of use," Simon Williams, from the firm, said. "The more severe the lockdown rules the faster this decline."

A French bulldog named Lyla was stolen from her home in Wolverhampton on Sunday, police said, as they appeal for information to find her.

Image source, West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said officers were investigating the break-in on Rowlands Avenue, Eastfields, in which an electric bike and electric scooter were also stolen.

"We understand a light-coloured Volkswagen, possibly a Golf or Polo, & white VW Caddy van were seen in the area and we'd like to get in touch with the drivers," the force said.

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch.

We're receiving calls reporting "gridlock" in Birmingham city centre due to a broken-down car and faulty traffic lights.

The southbound carriageway on the A38 St Chad's tunnel has been blocked by police due to a broken-down vehicle, but West Midlands Roads has also reported issues with traffic lights at the junction of Moor Street and Jennens Road.

The lights aren't staying green for long enough, causing a build up of traffic in the city centre.

The issues are having a knock-on effect on buses, with some terminating earlier than usual.

New enforcement measures come in for drivers in Worcester today after a survey found more than 1,100 motorists ignored restrictions on bus lanes in a busy part of the city in just two weeks.

Image source, Google

Restrictions apply 15:30 - 18:30 on the lane into Lowesmoor from Sansome Street and around the clock on the bus gate access from Lowesmoor to St Nicholas Street which drivers facing fines of up to £60 for breaking the rules.

Jon Fraser, who is in charge of highways for Worcestershire County Council, said the area was identified as a highly polluting and hopes the new restrictions should hopefully improve the air quality.

"First Bus has also told us they can't rely on their journey times and that's another reason we need to get the cars out of that route to improve the bus journeys," he said.

A 27-year-old man who died in a crash in Berkshire earlier this month has been remembered as "bright, happy, thoughtful and caring" by his family and friends.

Image source, Family handout

Oliver Williams, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was killed in a crash on the A34 in East Ilsley on 2 October, Thames Valley Police said.

The force issued a statement on behalf of his family which said the software engineer had led "such an exciting life, achieving so much".

He was a young patron of the Royal Shakespeare Company, his family said, and a much-loved member and "mascot" in his work at a video games company in the town.

AFC Telford United has signed a lease deal with the local council that covers the entirety of the New Buck’s Head ground - parts of which have been leased to others until now.

Image source, AFC Telford United

The ground is owned by Telford and Wrekin Council which had previously leased the West Stand with its bar, restaurant and leisure facilities to Telford College, while the remainder of the ground was leased to the football club.

Signing the new deal for the whole of the stadium "gives the club much greater certainty into the future," said Andy Pryce, chairman of AFC Telford United.

“We are delighted that this longstanding issue is now resolved," he said. "It will also put us on much more solid footing as we continue to grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic."

Express and Star

Here's a look at this morning's top stories in the Express and Star:

• HS2 'to create just 75 jobs in Staffordshire', external
• Far fewer patients begin cancer treatment than pre-pandemic at Midland hospitals, external
• Woman hurt in disorder at Wolverhampton bar, external

A second inquest begins today into the death of Jonnie Meek, a three-year-old boy who his parents believe died after an allergic reaction to hospital milk.

Image source, Family handout

A corononer originally ruled Jonnie, from Cannock, died from natural causes at Stafford Hospital in 2014, but this has always been disputed by his parents.

They maintain their son, who had a rare congenital disability, died from a severe allergic reaction to milk given to him at the hospital - three doctors also concluded an allergic reaction to the new feed was likely to have contributed to his death in an independent review.

The inquest, at Shrewsbury Coroner's Court, is expected to last five days.

Latest figures show that Walsall had 138 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people - the second highest figure in the West Midlands.

With an announcement due later from Prime Minister Boris Johnson about new restrictions, the Conservative MP for Walsall North, Eddie Hughes, has said he would welcome any support restrictions would bring.

"If this is deemed necessary by the government then I would welcome the extra support that comes with it. For example, if we were to benefit from extra testing for constituents then that would be fantastic," he said.

"If there was a restriction on households mixing, that would be a way of controlling the spread but not impacting on businesses, so I'm hoping we're at the lower level of any restrictions that come in."

Cath Mackie
BBC News

Adapting to life under coronavirus is tough for many schools, but at New College Worcester there is an extra layer of difficulty.

All 69 pupils are all blind or vision impaired, making social distancing challenging.

The school has adapted by enforcing a strict hygiene regime and teachers wear masks at all times.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

It's going to be a rather dull, grey and wet day, with some heavy outbreaks of rain later.

It'll take its time to move away through the evening, so don't forget an umbrella if you're heading out.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

New College Worcester, a school for blind or vision impaired youngsters, is adapting to Covid rules.

Face-to-face contact now possible after months of separation during the coronavirus pandemic.

University students self-isolating in the UK criticise the cost and quality of food parcels on campus.

Cold War Steve's latest work can now be seen at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

An exhibition shows a Birmingham hospital through the ages, from Victorian treatments to royal visits.

Dave Heeley has run marathons on seven different continents and cycled across Europe.

Plymouth bounce back from their first League One defeat of the season at Hull last weekend to comfortably beat Burton.

Jon Mellish maintains his recent scoring form to fire Carlisle to victory at Port Vale.