Birmingham hospital swimming pool to close over safety risks
The Morris Centre pool at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital will shut indefinitely due to major building repairs. The closure impacts NHS staff, veterans, and community groups.
The Morris Centre pool at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital will shut indefinitely due to major building repairs. The closure impacts NHS staff, veterans, and community groups.
Plan your New Year's Eve with our guide to West Midlands Railway's early shutdowns, engineering works, and replacement bus services from Dec 27. Check last train times now.
A year after meeting on a late-night London Northwestern Railway service, Steve Higgs recreated the journey and proposed to Payal Pandya with the train guard's help. Read their heartwarming UK love story.
Aldi, Lidl, M&S and others shut stores on 26 December, prioritising staff wellbeing over sales. Discover why high streets feel 'eerie' and which shops are open.
A heritage railway near Birmingham is running special Christmas Day steam trains on a 'pay what you can afford' basis. Enjoy mince pies and mulled wine on a festive journey from Loughborough and Leicester. Book your magical alternative now!
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued multiple product recalls in December 2025, affecting items from beauty products to home goods. Check the list to see if you own any affected items.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer uses his Christmas message to thank NHS staff, emergency services and volunteers working over the festive period, as new figures reveal 1.2 million will be on duty.
Next urgently recalls Cora 5LT Flush Ceiling Light after safety watchdog warns glass globes may detach and fall. Customers told to stop use immediately and return for full refund.
Hospital staff working on Christmas Day across Mid and South Essex receive hampers as a thank you. The festive treats recognise their dedication and sacrifice.
Thousands of former coal industry staff see pensions rise by 41% as a £2.3bn government reserve is handed over. Find out who qualifies and why.
Network Rail begins vital track replacement near Ingatestone station over five weekends from Jan 10. Expect bus replacements and level crossing closures. Check before you travel.
Maternity staff at Swansea's Singleton Hospital rallied to provide Christmas gifts for women in a local refuge, with all 20 tags claimed in under 45 minutes. Discover their heart-warming act of kindness.
Maternity staff at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, showed incredible compassion, buying Christmas gifts for every woman in a local domestic abuse refuge in just 45 minutes. Read about this heart-warming community initiative.
Thousands of ex-miners to receive a £100 weekly pension increase and a £5,500 average lump sum just before Christmas. The move follows the release of a £2.3bn government reserve fund. Read the full story.
Nearly 40,000 former UK mineworkers will see a 41% pension increase, averaging £100 extra per week plus a £5,500 lump sum. Discover the details of this historic payout.
Construction is finished on five new railway stations in Birmingham and the Black Country, restoring passenger services to some areas for the first time since WWII. Read the full details.
Discover how dedicated staff from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are working over Christmas to bring joy and support to patients in wards and care homes across Essex.
Staff shortages cause major CrossCountry train cancellations and delays through Birmingham New Street on Dec 22, disrupting travel from Nottingham to Cardiff. Check your journey.
The Brecon Mountain Railway in Wales has been ranked as one of Europe's top ten most scenic train journeys. Just over two hours from Birmingham, it offers a stunning and affordable day out.
A London CEO has splashed £100,000 on lavish Christmas gifts for his team, including a £44k Range Rover and a holiday to Barcelona. Discover how his generosity is boosting morale and business.
A Welsh steam railway just over two hours from Birmingham has been ranked among Europe's most beautiful scenic train journeys, based on Tripadvisor reviews. Discover this affordable day out.
Birmingham's Bullring urges kindness to retail staff this Christmas. The 'be kind' campaign aims to protect workers during the busy festive season. Read more and show your support.
NHS workers must link their Uber account to an NHS email by 11.59pm on Dec 21 to claim £30 in festive discounts for rides and food on Christmas Day.
Royal Mail warns of significant delivery delays in 60 UK postcodes due to staff sickness and festive mail volumes. Check if your area is affected and see advice for last-minute parcels.
Three new Birmingham railway stations are finished, with passenger services set to start early next year. The project ends an 80-year wait for rail travel in the area.
Construction is finished on five new stations in Birmingham and Walsall, marking a major step for the Camp Hill line's return. Passenger services are set to begin early in 2025.
Construction on five new West Midlands stations, including Kings Heath and Moseley, is finished. Passenger services will begin in early 2026, ending decades-long waits.
Major disruption on Birmingham rail lines after a train struck an obstruction between New Street and International stations. Delays and alterations expected. Get the latest travel updates here.
Construction on five new stations in Birmingham and the Black Country is finished. Services will begin in early 2025, restoring passenger trains to some lines after decades. Read more.
Rail passengers face major disruption as flooding cancels and diverts West Midlands Railway services between Birmingham New Street and Stratford-upon-Avon. Rail replacement buses are running.