Opening pubs too soon 'may undo all the good'published at 17:21 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
In England you can drink outside pubs now, something you cannot do in Wales for another fortnight.
Read MoreSummary
Updates from 12 April to 18 April
Opening pubs too soon 'may undo all the good'published at 17:21 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Police officer's visits made woman 'feel sick'published at 17:16 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
PC Colin Noble allegedly visited a victim's home unannounced up to 30 times.
Read MoreFestival of Vaisakhi celebratedpublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Sikhs across the West Midlands are celebrating the festival of Vaisakhi today.
Originally a harvest festival in the Punjab, it has now become Sikhism's most important festival.
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End of twitter post 2Goldman Sachs: City chosen for diverse talent poolpublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Birmingham has been chosen as the home of a new office for Goldman Sachs because of the diverse engineering talent available, the company said.
Image source, PA MediaThe banking giant's new outpost will initially be a technology hub and is due to open in the autumn.
Goldmans said the city boasted "a strong and deep new talent pool, excellent academic institutions, a growing technology sector and longstanding leadership in STEM industries".
Birmingham also offered "unique advantages" including its proximity to London.
The candidates standing to be West Mercia PCCpublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
The election was due to take place in 2020 but postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Read MoreMan arrested after officers called to 'gun' incidentpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm after police were called to an incident in Staffordshire on Monday.
The 18-year-old was detained after reports of a man with a gun in area off Smithpool Road, Fenton at about 16:30.
He remains in custody, police said.
The Staffordshire force is asking for any witnesses to come forward.
Around the web: Couple wear earplugs in 'dream home'published at 15:26 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Birmingham LiveSome of the Birmingham Live headlines today include:
- Couple forced to wear earplugs in bed after buying 'dream home' next to A446, external
- Man hit by car and attacked by three thugs - then offered £50k not to report crime, external
- Clinical red flags from 999 call 'not passed on' after schoolboy's fatal head injury, external
Sporting fixtures adjusted to avoid royal funeralpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Sporting fixtures scheduled for 15:00 on Saturday have been moved to avoid overlapping with the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral.
Image source, Getty ImagesMatches taking place this week and at the weekend will also observe a minute's silence before kick-off.
Rotherham v Birmingham will kick off at noon on Sunday, with Coventry facing Barnsley at 15:00.
The remaining Championship fixtures will kick off at 12:30 on Saturday.
In League One Walsall will take on Colchester at 17:30.
Message to independent stores as shoppers returnpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
BBC Radio ShropshireIndependent shops need to adapt and "provide a unique experience" to do well post-lockdown, the Love Bridgnorth community group has said.
Sally Themans also said the reopening of non-essential shops yesterday had shown stores in the town "really value their customers, almost more than their friends."
Image source, GoogleMs Themans said "great customer service, going the extra mile" and being innovative were all key for traders.
She also thought customers were much more safety-conscious this time and said: "Last summer we had a few instances of people not always really wearing masks.
"I think after the three months we've just had people are in no doubt there are rules that have to be followed."
That lockdown haircut feeling: 'Like shearing sheep'published at 14:16 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
David Gregory-Kumar
Science correspondent, BBC Midlands TodayLike many lucky people I've just had my first haircut since yesterday's easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
My one bit of successful lockdown planning was to book an appointment at Barber JQ in the Jewellery Quarter for the day after restrictions eased.
According to Sam my barber they are booked solid for two weeks.
"It’s like shearing sheep”, he said.
Emerging into the spring sunshine with a “sick fade” I felt almost normal.
Also, my head feels really cold.
Town looks to appoint poetpublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
BBC Radio ShropshireWellington in Shropshire is looking to appoint a town poet, as part of celebrations to mark 25 years of its literary festival.
The town council is offering to pay the successful candidate £500 and festival organiser Anthony Lowe said they would be expected to be write at least eight poems over the 12 months to May 2022.
Image source, GoogleThe poet will be asked to write the poems about significant civic events in the town and big national events, such as the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Four gang members jailed over violent break-inspublished at 13:27 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Cars with a combined value of about £700,000 were taken during almost 40 burglaries, say police.
Read More'I quickly realised something bad had happened'published at 13:23 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
A witness describes how a victim of a terror attack lay injured at Fishmongers' Hall in London.
Read MoreSecure parking to reduce bike theftspublished at 13:14 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Indoor bicycle parking will be provided in a Worcester shopping centre to reduce bike theft in the city.
Last year about 350 bikes were reported stolen in south Worcestershire, an increase of 83% from 2019.
Image source, GoogleThe free parking spots in the Crowngate shopping centre are being created inside an empty unit and it will be fitted with security cameras.
Troubled pub could become flatspublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceA former pub in Rowley Regis which closed down after the owners complained of anti-social behaviour and threats could be turned in to flats.
Image source, GoogleSandwell Council planners are considering an application by the owners, listed as Mr and Mrs Johnson, for the creation of nine one and two-bedroomed flats.
Image source, BSP DesignIn the application, planning agent BSP Design said: "The redevelopment of the public house will not only get rid of this problem it will also allow the refurbishment of the entire site, making it more attractive to neighbouring residents and more importantly safer during the evening."
Around the web: Gang stole flash cars worth £700,000published at 12:08 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Coventry LiveHere are three stories from the Coventry Live website today:
- Gang stole flash cars worth £700,000 in four-month spree, external
- Thousands raised for Bedworth family after house fire, external
- Clap for Azaylia Cain taking place tonight, external
Pub drinkers 'literally loving' easing of lockdownpublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
Customers flocked to bars and restaurants after coronavirus restrictions were eased.
Read More'Misunderstanding' leads to police being sent to churchpublished at 11:50 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
BBC Radio StokeA misunderstanding led to a number of police units descending on a church near Nantwich this morning, over concerns a theft was in progress.
Image source, GoogleCheshire Constabulary said they were responding to reports of a man on the roof of St Acton Church, but it turned out he was meant to be there.
Artell 'won't let Oxford emotions' affect team selectionpublished at 11:27 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
BBC Radio Stoke SportThe Crewe manager David Artell said he won't let emotions play a part in his team selection after his side's 6-0 defeat to Oxford United on Saturday.
The Alex take on Portsmouth tonight.
He said: "It's easy to become emotional or emotionally invested in picking the team when actually it's more important that you don't have any emotion."
Image source, Getty ImagesArtelll said instead of thinking which players to drop, he would be looking at factors like their opponents strengths and weaknesses, who deserves an opportunity to come in to the side and who might respond well to the Oxford defeat.
He said it was important to "be cold and heartless" in picking the team, irrespective of "what's happened or what's not happened.
"I believe that's the job, and then cross your fingers that they'll perform."
Charity doubles usual daily takingspublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 13 April 2021
BBC Radio StokeA Stoke-on-Trent charity said it more than doubled its regular daily takings yesterday.
Douglas Macmillan shops benefited from lockdown easing and its head of charity trading, Liz Clarke, said to take over £21,000 in one day was "just amazing".
Image source, GoogleThe charity has 20 charity shops across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
Ms Clarke said they would normally sell about £8,500's worth of stock in a day.
She added the charity had received thousands of donations over the past 12 months and that it was great "to just be back and hopefully be back for good".