The Dispatch
@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social
Birmingham's new quality newspaper: sending local stories to your inbox. Always looking for new writers & new stories.
Incase you missed 👀
The 20mph speed limit caused a firestorm in Brum.
For some, it's a sensible move. For others it's a disgraceful "war on drivers", that could prove economically devastating.
Where do you land? 🚗
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/not-fast-but...
The 20mph speed limit caused a firestorm in Brum.
For some, it's a sensible move. For others it's a disgraceful "war on drivers", that could prove economically devastating.
Where do you land? 🚗
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/not-fast-but...
Not fast but furious: popping the bonnet on the 20mph row
‘It’s f***ing insane’
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Incase you missed 👀
The 20mph speed limit caused a firestorm in Brum.
For some, it's a sensible move. For others it's a disgraceful "war on drivers", that could prove economically devastating.
Where do you land? 🚗
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/not-fast-but...
The 20mph speed limit caused a firestorm in Brum.
For some, it's a sensible move. For others it's a disgraceful "war on drivers", that could prove economically devastating.
Where do you land? 🚗
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/not-fast-but...
Incase you missed 👀
The Tamworth Tap has just won best pub of the year THREE out of the last four years.
What makes the pub deserving of such prestige? Is there a case of "favouritism and bias" going on...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-ale-king...
The Tamworth Tap has just won best pub of the year THREE out of the last four years.
What makes the pub deserving of such prestige? Is there a case of "favouritism and bias" going on...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-ale-king...
The ale king of England
Yards from the castle where Offa once conquered these lands, George Greenaway has made Tamworth great again
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
September 17, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Incase you missed 👀
The Tamworth Tap has just won best pub of the year THREE out of the last four years.
What makes the pub deserving of such prestige? Is there a case of "favouritism and bias" going on...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-ale-king...
The Tamworth Tap has just won best pub of the year THREE out of the last four years.
What makes the pub deserving of such prestige? Is there a case of "favouritism and bias" going on...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-ale-king...
In July, a tweet sent panic waves through Digbeth. It included the first visualisations of a multi-million pound rail do-up.
September 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
In July, a tweet sent panic waves through Digbeth. It included the first visualisations of a multi-million pound rail do-up.
What do you reckon? Is it time we rebranded and made the West Midlands...Greater Birmingham?
September 14, 2026 at 3:40 PM
What do you reckon? Is it time we rebranded and made the West Midlands...Greater Birmingham?
Why does this pub in Tamworth keep winning pub of the year?
September 12, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Why does this pub in Tamworth keep winning pub of the year?
Why did plans to lower the speed limit in Birmingham cause a media firestorm?
September 9, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Why did plans to lower the speed limit in Birmingham cause a media firestorm?
Shaun Patrick Hand takes readers on a journey into the world of non-league football.
He heads to a Sutton Coldfield Town away game, costing a mere £11. But who are the fans, and do we need to spend £800 on a season ticket to get our football fix?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/from-villa-p...
He heads to a Sutton Coldfield Town away game, costing a mere £11. But who are the fans, and do we need to spend £800 on a season ticket to get our football fix?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/from-villa-p...
From Villa Park to the Village Green
As the Midlands’ footballing elites compete in Europe and build £3 billion stadiums, we meet the fans keeping it local... hyperlocal
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
September 2, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Shaun Patrick Hand takes readers on a journey into the world of non-league football.
He heads to a Sutton Coldfield Town away game, costing a mere £11. But who are the fans, and do we need to spend £800 on a season ticket to get our football fix?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/from-villa-p...
He heads to a Sutton Coldfield Town away game, costing a mere £11. But who are the fans, and do we need to spend £800 on a season ticket to get our football fix?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/from-villa-p...
Nearly 40% of children in East Birmingham are living in absolute poverty. Could the new Sports Quarter transform the prospects for a community that has long felt forgotten?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-american...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-american...
The Americans want to build an Etihad in East Birmingham. Will it work?
'To not pursue this would be a crime against the city'
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Nearly 40% of children in East Birmingham are living in absolute poverty. Could the new Sports Quarter transform the prospects for a community that has long felt forgotten?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-american...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-american...
In today's fantastic read, Shard End-born novelist Keiran Goddard explores why he feels uneasy claiming the city that shaped him.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/i-see-buildi...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/i-see-buildi...
Keiran Goddard on how Birmingham shaped Antony Boyle film
'Fuck it; it's not like I'm taking the place of someone else who’d otherwise be on the radio talking about Shard End'
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 26, 2026 at 9:37 AM
In today's fantastic read, Shard End-born novelist Keiran Goddard explores why he feels uneasy claiming the city that shaped him.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/i-see-buildi...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/i-see-buildi...
Turns out the proud new owners of Ladywood Police Station have made some hefty donations to the Labour Party... 🤨
That's todays top story:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/meet-the-men...
That's todays top story:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/meet-the-men...
Meet the men who bought a police station — straight after donating to Labour
Two property developers with ties to the party are the proud new owners of a local cop shop
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 24, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Turns out the proud new owners of Ladywood Police Station have made some hefty donations to the Labour Party... 🤨
That's todays top story:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/meet-the-men...
That's todays top story:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/meet-the-men...
Reposted by The Dispatch
As it happens, there was a @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social article on the emptiness or otherwise of town just the other week. www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/where-is-bir...
Where is Birmingham’s buzz?
The suburbs appear to have stolen the crown from town
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM
As it happens, there was a @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social article on the emptiness or otherwise of town just the other week. www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/where-is-bir...
"People didn't understand why they needed to leave their homes".
The fires in Stourbridge this week, which have left 19 homes gutted, have become a major national story. Kate Knowles reports on a reeling town and asks: what comes next?
The fires in Stourbridge this week, which have left 19 homes gutted, have become a major national story. Kate Knowles reports on a reeling town and asks: what comes next?
August 19, 2026 at 12:29 PM
"People didn't understand why they needed to leave their homes".
The fires in Stourbridge this week, which have left 19 homes gutted, have become a major national story. Kate Knowles reports on a reeling town and asks: what comes next?
The fires in Stourbridge this week, which have left 19 homes gutted, have become a major national story. Kate Knowles reports on a reeling town and asks: what comes next?
Nineteen houses were destroyed in the fire that tore through Stourbridge.
Labour MP, Cat Eccles, tells us residents who did not understand the severity of the situation were dragged away by police. More on the wildfires in today's briefing 👨🚒
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/investigatio...
Labour MP, Cat Eccles, tells us residents who did not understand the severity of the situation were dragged away by police. More on the wildfires in today's briefing 👨🚒
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/investigatio...
Investigations begin into the cause of devastating Stourbridge wildfires
Plus: leading Birmingham academic slams Cambridge professor’s death as a “public lynching”
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Nineteen houses were destroyed in the fire that tore through Stourbridge.
Labour MP, Cat Eccles, tells us residents who did not understand the severity of the situation were dragged away by police. More on the wildfires in today's briefing 👨🚒
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/investigatio...
Labour MP, Cat Eccles, tells us residents who did not understand the severity of the situation were dragged away by police. More on the wildfires in today's briefing 👨🚒
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/investigatio...
Spirit of Pakistan closes today, after two weeks of packed-out events highlighting the cultural contributions of British Pakistanis.
But a bitter row has erupted over £30,000 of council funding and how involved Pakistan should be in a festival about… Pakistan.
But a bitter row has erupted over £30,000 of council funding and how involved Pakistan should be in a festival about… Pakistan.
Spirit of Pakistan celebrates British Pakistanis. Why do some of them want it cancelled?
A row has erupted over £30,000 of council funding and how involved Pakistan should be in a festival about… Pakistan
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 15, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Spirit of Pakistan closes today, after two weeks of packed-out events highlighting the cultural contributions of British Pakistanis.
But a bitter row has erupted over £30,000 of council funding and how involved Pakistan should be in a festival about… Pakistan.
But a bitter row has erupted over £30,000 of council funding and how involved Pakistan should be in a festival about… Pakistan.
Flag raising last summer was dissected from every angle; national flags mean very different things to different people.
But what about the place where it all began: Weoley Castle? What do the flags mean there, a year on? And has it changed the place, for good, bad or... at all?
But what about the place where it all began: Weoley Castle? What do the flags mean there, a year on? And has it changed the place, for good, bad or... at all?
August 14, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Flag raising last summer was dissected from every angle; national flags mean very different things to different people.
But what about the place where it all began: Weoley Castle? What do the flags mean there, a year on? And has it changed the place, for good, bad or... at all?
But what about the place where it all began: Weoley Castle? What do the flags mean there, a year on? And has it changed the place, for good, bad or... at all?
NEW: Suspended Green Party councillor Siobhan Harper-Nunes was arrested this morning on suspicion of harassment.
The news comes just days after she was charged with assaulting five people.
The news comes just days after she was charged with assaulting five people.
August 12, 2026 at 3:51 PM
NEW: Suspended Green Party councillor Siobhan Harper-Nunes was arrested this morning on suspicion of harassment.
The news comes just days after she was charged with assaulting five people.
The news comes just days after she was charged with assaulting five people.
Flag raising has changed British politics. But what about the lives of the people who started it all?
We headed to Weoley, to talk to the Birmingham suburb that kickstarted one of the most hotly debated political movements of the 2020s.
We headed to Weoley, to talk to the Birmingham suburb that kickstarted one of the most hotly debated political movements of the 2020s.
August 12, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Flag raising has changed British politics. But what about the lives of the people who started it all?
We headed to Weoley, to talk to the Birmingham suburb that kickstarted one of the most hotly debated political movements of the 2020s.
We headed to Weoley, to talk to the Birmingham suburb that kickstarted one of the most hotly debated political movements of the 2020s.
A year ago, the UK's flag-raising moment began in Birmingham.
In the suburb of Weoley, flags began to rise. Since then, they've spread all over the nation and not really stopped. 'Flag wars' are now rampant. But what's happening at flag ground zero?
In the suburb of Weoley, flags began to rise. Since then, they've spread all over the nation and not really stopped. 'Flag wars' are now rampant. But what's happening at flag ground zero?
Raised in Weoley Castle
A year ago, locals went wild for flags. Today they’re flying at half mast
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 12, 2026 at 9:05 AM
A year ago, the UK's flag-raising moment began in Birmingham.
In the suburb of Weoley, flags began to rise. Since then, they've spread all over the nation and not really stopped. 'Flag wars' are now rampant. But what's happening at flag ground zero?
In the suburb of Weoley, flags began to rise. Since then, they've spread all over the nation and not really stopped. 'Flag wars' are now rampant. But what's happening at flag ground zero?
What, if anything, has changed since the flags went up in Weoley Castle year ago? 🏴
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/raised-in-we...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/raised-in-we...
Raised in Weoley Castle
A year ago, locals went wild for flags. Today they’re flying at half mast
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 12, 2026 at 8:46 AM
What, if anything, has changed since the flags went up in Weoley Castle year ago? 🏴
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/raised-in-we...
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/raised-in-we...
Who doesn't love a mango-themed street party? Reform apparently, while Labour can't make up their mind.
The drama surrounding Soho Road's Mango Mela and more in today's briefing 🥭
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/green-party-...
The drama surrounding Soho Road's Mango Mela and more in today's briefing 🥭
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/green-party-...
Green party councillor suspended after ‘assaulting’ three police officers
Plus, mango meltdown in Handsworth over a fruit festival
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Who doesn't love a mango-themed street party? Reform apparently, while Labour can't make up their mind.
The drama surrounding Soho Road's Mango Mela and more in today's briefing 🥭
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/green-party-...
The drama surrounding Soho Road's Mango Mela and more in today's briefing 🥭
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/green-party-...
We had a big debate in the Dispatch office this week: where is Birmingham’s buzz?
August 8, 2026 at 12:28 PM
We had a big debate in the Dispatch office this week: where is Birmingham’s buzz?
According to one redditor, Birmingham's food scene has lost its spark of late. We found the spots to prove them wrong.
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing 🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing 🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
August 3, 2026 at 1:11 PM
According to one redditor, Birmingham's food scene has lost its spark of late. We found the spots to prove them wrong.
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing 🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing 🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
According to one redditor, Birmingham's food scene has lost its spark of late. We found the spots to prove them wrong.
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
Reddit thinks Birmingham’s food scene is over; they’re wrong
Plus, Jude Bellingham, the city’s favourite son, returns
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk
August 3, 2026 at 1:03 PM
According to one redditor, Birmingham's food scene has lost its spark of late. We found the spots to prove them wrong.
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
More on Brum's thriving new eateries in our Monday briefing🥘
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/reddit-think...
He is known for his cinematic shots of 1980s and 90s Manchester - and of course for capturing 'Madchester' on camera.
But it was in the squats of Birmingham where Richard Davis got his start.
But it was in the squats of Birmingham where Richard Davis got his start.
August 2, 2026 at 9:27 AM
He is known for his cinematic shots of 1980s and 90s Manchester - and of course for capturing 'Madchester' on camera.
But it was in the squats of Birmingham where Richard Davis got his start.
But it was in the squats of Birmingham where Richard Davis got his start.
Built to Rents are booming in Birmingham. 🏠
Is this a housing revolution in progress, or another precarious stopgap for those desperately seeking a stable home?
Check out our latest article here👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-new-type-o...
Is this a housing revolution in progress, or another precarious stopgap for those desperately seeking a stable home?
Check out our latest article here👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-new-type-o...
July 30, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Built to Rents are booming in Birmingham. 🏠
Is this a housing revolution in progress, or another precarious stopgap for those desperately seeking a stable home?
Check out our latest article here👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-new-type-o...
Is this a housing revolution in progress, or another precarious stopgap for those desperately seeking a stable home?
Check out our latest article here👇
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-new-type-o...