The rollout of contactless payments on UK railways has led to higher peak-time fares and reduced off-peak options, sparking criticism from MPs and passenger groups. Find out how the changes affect your journey.
Birmingham City Council releases revised 2025 festive waste collection schedule. Check your dates online as recycling remains suspended due to industrial action.
The UK faces a 90-hour snow event starting January 4, with Scotland worst-hit. Up to an inch per hour could fall. Get the latest forecast details and regional impacts here.
Forgot a crucial item on Christmas Day? Don't panic. Our guide reveals which shops can legally open, from small convenience stores to petrol stations, to save your festive day.
Discover which major UK retailers are closing on Boxing Day 2025 to give staff a festive break. Plan your post-Christmas shopping with our complete guide.
Aldi announces a temporary change to its Specialbuys release days over Christmas and New Year, and confirms the permanent closure of its Click and Collect service across all UK stores.
Plan your festive shopping with our complete guide to UK supermarket opening hours over Christmas and New Year 2025. Avoid the last-minute rush and check before you travel.
Major supermarkets and petrol stations, including Tesco, Asda, and Shell, announce revised Christmas opening times. Drivers urged to check local hours to avoid festive disruption.
Halfords announces a 72-hour Christmas closure across Birmingham, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Drivers urged to plan ahead. Read the full festive schedule.
Motorists are urged to avoid late-night driving as new analysis reveals the most dangerous hours on UK roads. Expert advice on staying safe this festive season.
The Ursid meteor shower peaks over the UK on December 22. Discover how to see up to 10 shooting stars per hour, with expert tips on timing and location for the best view.
Don't get caught out this festive season. Our complete guide details the Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day opening times for all major UK supermarkets in 2025.
The Range and Wilko will close all 280 UK stores on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, giving staff an extended festive break. Find your local opening times here.
A man was taken to hospital after a stabbing on Dudley High Street in the early hours of Sunday, December 21. Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses.
Plan your Boxing Day 2025 shopping in the West Midlands. See opening hours for Bullring, Merry Hill, The Fort, Resorts World and more. Check which major stores are closed.
JD Wetherspoon confirms 683 pubs open on Christmas Day 2025, including many across Birmingham and the West Midlands. See the full local list and festive menu details here.
UK households with smart meters have until Dec 21 to claim £10 of free electricity for Christmas Day via Uswitch's Power Hours scheme. Sign up now!
Two motorised paragliders had a dramatic near-miss at Peak Wildlife Park, Staffordshire, almost landing in an enclosure with two polar bears. Read the full story of their lucky escape.
Gail's Bakery confirms 10 London branches will stay open on Christmas Day, offering free mince pies. Check the full list of festive opening hours here.
Lidl confirms all 1,000 UK supermarkets will close for three days over the festive period. Find out the key dates and last-minute shopping hours here.
Plan your Boxing Day shopping with our guide to UK supermarket opening hours. Find out which major retailers are open and which are giving staff a break.
Home Bargains announces a three-day Christmas closure for all UK stores and early Christmas Eve hours, giving staff extended festive break. Find out the key dates.
Next confirms a huge change, closing all its UK shops on Boxing Day. Discover which major retailers are closing and which will open for festive sales.
Birmingham City Council announces longer hours at all five household recycling centres from December 21 to January 31. Plan your visit and book online.
The winter solstice marks the shortest day on December 21. Discover when your city will see sunsets after 5pm again and the Met Office's snow forecast. Read more.
Sainsbury's confirms Christmas 2025 opening hours and festive Aldi Price Match deals. Find your local store times and how to feed six for £2.30 per person.
Morrisons confirms festive opening hours for 2025, with stores closed Christmas Day. Plus, discover new 'Club 60' café offers providing affordable meals for over-60s.
UK households can claim up to £10 for electricity used on Christmas Day via Uswitch's Power Hours scheme. Sign up by December 21 to secure the refund as energy bills are set to rise.
Plan your post-Christmas shopping. Aldi, M&S, Home Bargains and more confirm Boxing Day closures. Check the full list of affected retailers and their festive hours.
Pubs in England and Wales could stay open until 1am for the 2026 World Cup under a Labour proposal. The plan aims to boost trade and the economy during the tournament.