Business editor Tamlyn Jones reflects on the birth of McArthurGlen in Cannock and the new expansion plans

Birmingham has been officially confirmed as one of the proposed host cities in the UK’s bid to stage the Women’s Football World Cup in 2035.

A Black Country prison officer is now behind bars after her inmate boyfriend convinced her, his sister and a family friend to smuggle drugs into HMP Birmingham for him.

Real ale lovers from across the Midlands - and beyond - have raised a toast to Dudley's famous winter ales fair, which enters its final day today offering free entry.

Stars from across the country have donned their most outrageous - and amazing - costumes as they featured in the exciting 'Sleeping Beauty' panto at the Grand Theatre.

Take a step back in time to 1974.

After trekking through a huge German Christmas Market we found ourselves inside an enchanting Sicilian garden after we set out for a festive dinner in Birmingham city centre

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news

A Black Country MP has said schools in his constituency get a raw deal compared to neighbouring authorities, because of the way funding is allocated.

A paedophile who claimed he only downloaded indecent images of children so he could report a website to the police has been told by a judge his "shaggy dog story is not fooling anyone'".

There is no instrument more beautiful than the piano for events pianist Christa Hugo, who loves sharing music and making memorable moments even more special.

Tax when you move, tax when you stop, tax on your house, tax on your job.

Artwork created by an internationally renowned engraver has been donated to Stourbridge Glass Museum in her memory.

An MP is calling for urgent safety improvements at a crossing between two school buildings following a series of near misses.

A stunning Grade-II listed, 11-bedroom country house just outside Bridgnorth has gone on the market.

A Wolverhampton drug dealer who attacked a boy with a machete has been jailed for five years and six months.

TV personality Jack Osbourne has told his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! campmates his late grandfather Don Arden “pulled guns on people” during his time as a music manager

It's hairdryers at dawn at a Black Country barbers' shop as football-mad Phil Dunn and Tony Colabella prepare for the big showdown at the weekend.

A plan to protect and enhance green spaces and wildlife across the West Midlands has been unveiled.

A couple has been put behind bars after West Midlands Police discovered over a dozen women were victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery offences.

Residents of Channel 4's Benefits Street have reacted to Rachel Reeves' financial plan for Britain - with some praising the "welcome bonus" of extra money and others blasting it as "stupid".

Drivers have been warned of delays lasting up to an hour following a crash on the M6 near Stafford.

A Birmingham man has received a suspended prison sentence after police found a home-made gun, bullets and a large collection of weapons at his home.

Six men have been arrested following chaos at the Aston Villa V Young Boys match at Villa Park on Thursday (November 27).

Police have praised the bravery of a woman who was just millimetres from death after being physically and psychologically abused by a Walsall man who went on to rape her.

A man has been charged with several offences following a break-in in Dudley.

One of the Midlands' biggest beer festivals has gotten underway this week - and with more than 80 drinks on offer - locals were seen coming together to get merry at the event.

West Midlands Police have issued a major update into a rape case which saw a Sikh woman dragged into grassland and attacked.

A magistrate called Dr Delicate who sits on the West Midlands circuit has been told off for desk banging, sighing, and swearing in court.

A popular pub on the outskirts of Wolverhampton has reopened its doors to the public following a six-figure investment.

A brand new food store is set to create 50 new jobs and bring all the familiar M&S food products back to Cannock.

Dudley police want to speak with these two men after another pair of males were left unconscious after a serious assault

A Netherton beauty spot was the scene of a medical emergency which saw air and land ambulance crews called to the scene.

Six people have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into a county lines operation stretching as far as Northamptonshire.

The long-awaited front-engined V8 supercar will be revealed on December 4 ahead of its global debut at next year’s Tokyo Auto Salon.

There was still shock and alarm among market traders in Bilston who have told of a man seen waving a knife around in broad daylight.

The sporty sub-brand of Fiat ditched combustion-powered vehicles to become an EV-only car maker in August 2024.

Watch the Met Office’s weekend video forecast, as a weather warning is issued for the West Midlands.

After two years and 40 examples produced around the world, production of Bugatti’s hypercar for the racetrack has come to an end.

A West Midlands designer outlet shopping village has announced multi-million pound expansion plans with up to 500 new jobs.

A popular pub in the Clent Hills near Stourbridge that closed following the death of its “much loved” landlady is set to reopen - full details in our story.

A 48-year-old man from the West Midlands has been jailed for more than three years for possessing and distributing extremist right-wing music.

Two people were arrested at Villa Park last night after disorder at the Aston Villa vs BSC Young Boys match.

Names and heartfelt messages are continuing to be added to the annual Wolverhampton Tree of Remembrance to honour loved ones and raise funds for charity.

There will be a rally in support of Birmingham bin workers on the first day of strike action by agency workers employed by Job & Talent.

Here's your latest letters - plus our daily delve into the picture archive.

Motorists heading along the M54 have been warned to expect delays as work continues to repair the central reservation days after a serious collision.

Robbie Williams fans are being urged to be quick as tickets to see the pop legend in Wolverhampton go on sale today (Friday, November 28) - how to get yours

Two men have been jailed after an attack involving machetes in Wolverhampton.

Three houses in Stafford are going under the hammer with guide prices from £87,000 and two are on the same street

West Midlands Ambulance Service has taken on more than 158 extra staff in a bid to better cope with “perfect storm” winter pressures.

Staffordshire was hit with a touch of Christmas magic as the iconic big red Coca-Cola truck made its way through the county on its 2025 tour.

A man has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel of a BMW in Newport while high on cannabis.

A consultation has been launched into plans to build up to 700 houses in South Staffordshire.

The bunny-hugging 1950s generation of Wolverhampton teenagers who were the despair of adults

Food hubs from across the Black Country and Stafford have been handed fresh hygiene ratings following the last round of inspections with one in Wolverhampton scoring zero.

With three floors, six bedrooms and large front and back yards, this impressive family home in Walsall is the latest gem to appear on the property market.

A council is set to spend £2.6m to expand a secondary school to create space for 79 more pupils.

Cannock’s former Prince of Wales Theatre is earmarked for demolition alongside the district council’s Civic Centre as part of the next steps in the town centre’s transformation.

A popular West Midlands pub landlady was tragically killed by smoke inhalation after the battery to her cordless vacuum cleaner exploded.

A decision to open another late-night off-licence in Bearwood has been approved.

A Walsall man facing a January 2029 trial after pleading not guilty to raping a child asked a judge if he could go on holiday abroad whilst on bail.

Birmingham City Football Club’s "mindblowing" plans took another step in the right direction with a test drive of a tram which will serve their new stadium.

Discount retailer The Range is opening a new store on the edge of Wolverhampton city centre - and hopes to have it ready in time for Christmas.

Calls to scrap the HS2 project have been branded ‘reckless’ by the Mayor of the West Midlands.

A large detached house in a Black Country town has been converted into six flats without planning permission.

A Shropshire antiques centre has acquired a very festive item just in time for Christmas - a near-100-year-old sleigh.

An ambitious multi-product steel stockholder has completed a significant acquisition that will double its revenues, increase manufacturing capability and open new markets.

Welcome to Black Friday! Unlike other Black Friday offers out there today, we have a genuine one to tempt you – the chance to join Express & Star Plus for just £1 a month.

A Stafford nightclub’s premises licence will be reviewed by councillors next week after a man was stabbed on land nearby.

Consumers booking Black Friday holiday deals are being urged to avoid scams after people in the West Midlands lost more than half a million to fraud.

The number of cars built in the UK fell last month after a debilitating cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), new figures show.

A Birmingham company has launched a controversial range of products based on Liverpool muscle squeezer Purple Aki in time for Black Friday.

A Birmingham man who assaulted a friend during a row, resulting in his victim dying two days later, has been locked up for the killing.

Villa’s Europa League tie against Young Boys was stopped for several minutes due to fighting among the visiting Swiss supporters.

As National Care Leavers Month is marked across the UK, Families First Fostering is urging compassionate individuals and families to open their homes to young people preparing to leave the care system.

Mander Centre has everything you need to complete Christmas in style! Shop hundreds of brands under one roof from unique independents such as Shop in the Square, Penny Farthing and Sweet Memories.

Detectives have released an image of a man they wish to identify following an incident on a train travelling from London Euston to Birmingham.

The firm’s 500e electric city car is now available with a hybrid powertrain, and Cameron Richards has been driving it.

Raylo Business offers low-cost monthly plans on the latest Apple tech, including the 2025 iPad for just £7.49 a month.

Police have released photos of two men they wish to speak to in connection with an arson attack at a Birmingham park.

The Pop replaces the entry-level (RED) trim, with prices starting at £20,995.

A West Midlands Police officer who tasered a man who fell to his death from a window should not face misconduct proceedings, the police watchdog has concluded.

A man is appearing in court after two women were assaulted in Dudley.

A man who killed his cellmate while in custody awaiting trial has had his sentence extended.

Global banking giant Goldman Sachs says it plans to create up to 500 new jobs at its base in Birmingham.

Wolverhampton company Jack Moody Landscaping and Civil Engineering Ltd has been found guilty of breaching its duty of care to an employee who was hit by by a wagon in its Shareshill yard.

The current Astra range has been on sale since 2022, with this updated version set to bring new exterior and interior styling.

Staffordshire Police have cracked down on violence against women as part of White Ribbon Day.

Police have released an image of a man officers want to speak to following the theft of a purse in Dudley.

A 17-year-old boy from Stafford has been charged with terrorism charges.

Lane two of two on the M54 was closed following a crash involving a truck and a car.

A community pub in Moseley in Birmingham is reopening under independent family ownership with live sport seven days a week - find out when and what to expect at the venue in our story

Railway passengers hoping to travel on CrossCountry trains next weekend are being advised that the timetable will be limited as a result of planned industrial action.

As research shows more families worry about older loved ones in thecolder months, a leading non-profit care home in Walsall is offering free resources andcompassionate care this season.

Penalty fares for travelling on the West Midlands Metro without a valid ticket are set to rise from £10 to £100.

There will be four trim levels to choose from with all cars now featuring a petrol-electric powertrain as standard.

A Birmingham-based brothel boss is facing prison after a West Midlands Police investigation uncovered his links to prostitution in two areas of the city.