Christmas Trading: A £91bn Test for UK Economy
The festive period is a crucial economic stress test, with UK retail sales forecast to hit £91bn. Discover how Christmas spending impacts jobs, businesses, and high streets across the nation.
The festive period is a crucial economic stress test, with UK retail sales forecast to hit £91bn. Discover how Christmas spending impacts jobs, businesses, and high streets across the nation.
A stark Nationwide Building Society survey reveals the cost of living crisis is forcing parents to make tough sacrifices this Christmas, with spending gaps widening. Discover the impact and how to help.
Roman's festive Emerald Sparkly Star Longline Jumper is reduced to £28. Use code SNUG for 20% off, making it £22. Shoppers praise its style and comfort for Christmas Day.
River Island will close 33 UK stores by January's end as part of a restructuring plan to save its retail business. See the full list of affected locations.
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.
City of Wolverhampton Council approves Lidl's plans to demolish its outdated Bilston store and replace it with a modern supermarket, increasing parking and jobs.
New data reveals Birmingham streets with the most fines for Blue Badge misuse. Over 20,000 penalties issued since 2022, impacting disabled parking access. Read the full report.
Plans to replace the 'outdated' Lidl in Bilston with a modern supermarket have been approved. The redevelopment will increase parking and improve the High Street entrance.
A man and a woman were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital following a two-vehicle collision on Longbridge High Street. Read the latest updates on this developing story.
A man and a woman have been taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital following a two-car collision outside Marks & Spencer on Longbridge High Street. Get the latest updates on this breaking news story.
Police appeal for witnesses after a car and motorbike collision on High Street, Wordsley, leaves a man with potentially serious injuries. Call 101 with information.
Wirral Council revisits plans for 22 new car park charges, sparking fears from Bromborough businesses who warn it could be 'another nail in the coffin' for the village high street.
Dozens of UK bank branches are set to close in early 2025, impacting NatWest, Santander, Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland customers. See the full list of affected locations.
Walsall's once-thriving high street now has over 40 vacant units, with locals describing a 'dying ghost town'. Discover the impact on community and business.
UK households can save nearly £400 this festive season by avoiding eight common Christmas expenses. Experts urge early planning to avoid financial stress. #SaveMoney #Christmas
Lloyds Bank, with over 28 million customers, has closed 17 branches this November. See the full list of affected locations and the wider trend of UK bank branch closures.
Dudley Council faces a 300% rise in adult safeguarding cases, deploys drones against off-road bikes, and sparks a £10k spending row. Explore this week's key developments.
A 150-year-old shoe shop in Worcester is shutting down for good, with the family business stating it is no longer viable. Discover the story behind this high street loss.
New data reveals a 0.8% year-on-year drop in UK retail footfall last month, driven by Autumn Budget tax fears and poor weather. Industry leaders call for a new high street revival plan.
Official data reveals the UK Government has spent more than £100m supporting its response to the Covid-19 public inquiry, on top of the inquiry's own £192m budget. Discover the breakdown of legal and staffing costs.
Poundland is shutting around 30 branches as part of a major restructuring. See the full list of locations closing in December and January, including Melton Mowbray and Bexhill.
More than 500 bank branches have disappeared from British high streets in 2025. See the full list of closures and check your area with our interactive map.
Lloyds Banking Group announces 44 branch closures for 2026 as customers move online. Find the full list and see what support will be available for affected communities.
NatWest is closing six high street branches on December 31, 2025, citing a shift to digital banking. Community pop-ups and mobile services will support affected customers. See the full list.
A man has been rushed to hospital with potentially serious injuries after being hit by a bus on Digbeth High Street. Emergency services were called to the scene opposite Birmingham Coach Station.
Poundland is closing five more shops across the UK this month, launching 'everything must go' sales. Find out the full list of locations and closing dates here.
Explore Digbeth, Birmingham's coolest neighbourhood, where vibrant street art and independent shops have been ranked among the UK's best for Gen Z. Discover the must-see murals.
Nationwide Building Society reports a record-breaking Black Friday with over 7.3 million transactions, a 9.18% surge from 2024. Discover the data and what it means for UK consumers.
Frustrated Bearwood traders reveal how crime, litter and 24/7 shops are driving customers away. Shop owners consider leaving as area's reputation suffers.
Residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham give their mixed reactions to the Budget, with some welcoming extra funds and others calling the plans 'daft'.