Good Morning Solihull 👋

Well, it's official... I'm another year older! Today is my 33rd birthday, and what better way to kick things off with a Spotlight!

We've got plenty to get stuck into today, including a lovely new FREE library at Marston Green station, some brilliant local food finds, money-saving half-term deals and a whole host of things to do this Halloween weekend.

But before we get started, I've got a little birthday favour to ask...

🎁 Help me celebrate by sharing Solihull Spotlight!

If you enjoy reading these emails, I'd absolutely love you to forward today's edition to a friend, neighbour or family member who might enjoy it too.

And because birthdays are better when everyone gets to celebrate, I've got a little present for you in return!

🎉 Refer THREE friends who sign up to Solihull Spotlight using your personal referral link at the bottom of the email and you'll earn a birthday shout-out in a future edition!

Then when it's your birthday, we'll give you a little mention and help you celebrate with the rest of Solihull. 🥳

Every new reader helps us shine a little more light on the brilliant people, businesses and places that make Solihull special.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

Next time you're waiting for a train at Marston Green, you might find yourself getting stuck into a good book rather than scrolling through your phone!

West Midlands Railway has introduced a FREE book-borrowing point at Marston Green station, with a selection of books supplied by the National Literacy Trust.

It's part of a wider initiative encouraging children and adults to rediscover the joy of reading, with similar mini libraries introduced at Erdington and Northfield.

Passengers can pick up a book to enjoy during their journey or in their own time.

It's such a simple idea, but a lovely way to bring a little more reading into our everyday routines. And given how much time we all spend looking at screens, perhaps we could do with a chapter or two!

👉 Read more about the new station libraries

Watch out, Lord Sugar. Solihull's next generation of entrepreneurs is coming through!

Students at Solihull College & University Centre have been given an exciting opportunity to learn from businesswoman and The Apprentice interviewer Linda Plant.

A new programme called Can You Convince Linda Plant? will see eleven selected students tackle real-world business challenges, develop their ideas and sharpen their entrepreneurial skills.

And here's where it gets interesting: three finalists will get the chance to pitch their business plans to Linda Plant and a panel of employers early next year.

Linda has already visited students at the college's Blossomfield Campus to hear more about their ambitions.

Who knows? Perhaps one of Solihull's next big business success stories is currently taking shape right here in the borough.

Good luck to everyone involved! 👏

👉 Meet the college's budding entrepreneurs

Here's a little community gem that deserves more attention!

Solihull Lodge Community Centre is offering a range of FREE practical courses, including help with computers, clothing repairs and gardening.

Whether you want to feel more confident using technology, learn how to fix your favourite clothes or meet new people while getting outdoors, there's something to get involved with.

Coming up:

📍 Solihull Lodge Community Centre, Grafton Road, Shirley, B90 1NJ.

To reserve a course place or ask a question, email [email protected].

Learning something useful, meeting local people and saving money at the same time? We love to see it. 💚

👉 Explore the community centre's full programm

📍 Trinity Place, Parkgate, Shirley, B90 3GG

If you're shopping around Shirley and fancy escaping the hustle and bustle for a proper cuppa, here's somewhere to add to your list.

Kairos Coffee is a friendly independent café tucked away in Trinity Place, within Parkgate Shopping Centre.

Part of Shirley Baptist Church, the café has a welcoming community feel and serves everything from freshly made coffees and indulgent hot chocolates to breakfast, lunch and homemade-style sweet treats.

It's the sort of place where you can meet a friend, settle down with a coffee or simply take a break from a busy day.

And in a world where everything seems to be moving faster, sometimes that's exactly what you need. ☕❤️

Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30am–2:30pm.

👉 Explore Kairos Coffee and its menu

📍 4 Manor Walk, next to Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3SX

Let's be serious for a moment. There's a time and a place for a delicate little sandwich.

And then there's lunchtime when you're absolutely starving. 😂

The Fat Sandwich Company, tucked beside Touchwood, specialises in generously filled deli-style sandwiches, with your lunch made to order right in front of you.

Choose from freshly baked baguettes, plenty of sandwich fillings, salads, jacket potatoes and more.

Whether you're grabbing a quick bite during the working day or looking for something substantial between shopping stops, this independent local business is worth knowing about.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3pm.

👉 Take a look at The Fat Sandwich Company's menu

Half-term entertainment can get expensive, especially when you add feeding everyone into the mix.

Fortunately, we've found a few deals worth knowing about!

Until Sunday 1 November, children under 12 can enjoy a FREE Piccolo meal when an accompanying adult orders an eligible full-priced main course.

You'll need the PizzaExpress Club app or the promotional QR code to redeem the offer, and it's valid for dining in.

📍 PizzaExpress, Upper Jubilee Walk, Touchwood.

👉 Claim the PizzaExpress Kids Eat Free offer

Fancy a family roast without the usual bill?

At Toby Carvery Knowle, children under 12 can enjoy a meal for just £1 when an adult purchases an eligible full-priced main meal or all-you-can-eat breakfast.

The offer runs until Sunday 1 November, including the weekend.

You'll need to join the FREE Carvery Club and show the offer voucher.

📍 1635 Warwick Road, Knowle.

👉 Get the Toby Carvery offer

Here's a particularly good Halloween treat.

The Greville Arms on Cornyx Lane is offering FREE children's meals on Saturday 31 October for children in fancy dress, with the purchase of an adult main meal.

And outside Halloween, it also advertises £1 kids' meals Monday to Friday, again with an adult main.

Perhaps the one occasion where turning up to dinner dressed as a dinosaur could actually save you money! 🦖

👉 See the Greville Arms offer and conditions

Now here's a reward scheme that might actually persuade the kids to put their tablets down.

Cake Box, 265 Stratford Road, Shirley is running a Books & Bakes reading challenge for children aged up to 11.

Here's how it works:

Children can complete the challenge three times, earning up to three cupcakes for 600 minutes of reading.

The promotion runs until 30 November.

A pretty sweet incentive to get reading! 📚🧁

👉 Find out how the Books & Bakes challenge works

Offers are subject to participating locations, eligibility and availability. Check the linked terms before visiting.

We're still busy working away behind the scenes on something we're really excited about... our very own Solihull Spotlight app!

The idea is simple: help you save money at brilliant local businesses, from independent cafés and restaurants to family attractions, shops and experiences, while giving our local businesses a little extra love.

But here's where we need your help!

💬 Where would YOU love to get a discount in Solihull?

Maybe it's 10% off at your favourite coffee shop, money off a family meal, discounted cinema tickets or a special offer from a local independent business.

Hit reply and tell us ONE Solihull business you'd love to see featured in the app.

We'll use your suggestions to help decide which businesses to approach first.

After all, there's not much point creating a discounts app unless it's full of places you actually want to visit!

Your town. Your discounts. Your Spotlight. 💙

🪄 Woodland Wizards — Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens | Thu 29 October (£)
Got a little witch or wizard at home? Head to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens on Thursday 29 October, 11am–12pm, for a magical morning making nature wands, mixing muddy potions and playing spooky woodland games. Perfect for ages 3–9, with fancy dress encouraged! Tickets are £8 for one adult and child or £13 for a family, including garden entry for the day.
👉 Woodland Wizards

💻 Work From Here + Kids Club — Solihull Lodge Community Centre | Fri 30 October (£)
Trying to get some work done with the kids home for half-term? This could be the answer! Head to Solihull Lodge Community Centre on Friday 30 October, 1–5pm, where parents can enjoy a quiet workspace, FREE Wi-Fi and unlimited tea and coffee, while children enjoy games, crafts and activities. It's just £5 per adult and £5 per child, with a kids' meal deal included. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
👉 Work From Here + Kids Club

🧟 Wandering Zombie Disco — Touchwood | Fri 30 October
Something spooky is wandering through Touchwood this half-term! Head into Solihull town centre on Friday 30 October, where roaming zombies will be bringing music, dancing and a little Halloween mischief to the shopping centre. Perfect for adding an unexpected fright (and perhaps a few laughs!) to your Friday shopping trip. Keep your eyes peeled — you never know where they'll appear!
👉 Wandering Zombie Disco

🎃 Late Night Pumpkin Picking — The Barn at Berryfields, Meriden | Fri 30 October (£)
Fancy picking your pumpkins after dark? The Barn at Berryfields is hosting a special evening on Friday 30 October, from 7pm, with pumpkin picking inside its giant heated barn, live music, marshmallow toasting, eco-skating and street food. Tickets are £11pp, including entry, live music and a marshmallow to toast. Pumpkins and additional activities cost extra. Thursday's session has already sold out, so don't leave Friday too late!
👉 Late Night Pumpkin Picking

👻 FREE Halloween Trail — Shirley Park | Sat 31 October
Looking for some FREE Halloween fun with the little ones? Head to Shirley Park on Saturday 31 October, 4–6pm, for a spooky adventure organised by Friends of Shirley Park. Follow the trail around the park, hunt for clues, answer questions and return to collect a prize! Fancy dress is encouraged, and it's completely FREE for children under 12. Booking is essential for children (not adults), with timed entry slots available.
👉 FREE Shirley Park Halloween Trail

🎹 Billy Joel Tribute UK — The Core, Solihull | Wed 4 November (£)
Piano Man fans, this one's for you! Head to The Core on Wednesday 4 November, 7:30pm, for an evening celebrating the legendary Billy Joel. Featuring Gaz Jenkins and his live band, expect classics including Uptown Girl, Tell Her About It and Just the Way You Are. Perfect for a midweek night out with some brilliant singalong favourites. Tickets are £29pp plus a transaction fee.
👉 Billy Joel Tribute UK

A welcome three points for the Moors! 💛💙 After Saturday's disappointing 2–1 home defeat to Carlisle United, Solihull bounced back with a thrilling 3–2 away victory over Wealdstone on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Marvin Johnson, Jamie Andrews and Scott High secured the win, although two late Wealdstone goals made for a nerve-racking finish!

Coming up: The Moors welcome local rivals Kidderminster Harriers to Damson Park on Saturday 31 October, 3pm. Having lost to Kidderminster in the FA Cup earlier this month, there's a little extra motivation for this Halloween showdown. 👻

👉 Get tickets for Solihull Moors vs Kidderminster

The next generation of Moors talent have a big night ahead! Solihull Moors Academy travel to Walsall on Thursday 29 October, 7pm, for the First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup.

The young Moors will be hoping to progress to the next round, and local supporters can cheer them on at the Bescot Stadium. Tickets are just £5 for adults and £1 for concessions.

👉 FA Youth Cup match information

The Moors Women's team will be hoping to build on their entertaining 3–2 victory over Leek Town on 18 October as they return to league action this weekend.

Coming up: Solihull Moors Women host Shifnal Town Ladies on Sunday 1 November at Studley Sports Centre.

If you're looking to support women's football locally, why not get behind the team this weekend? 💛💙

👉 Solihull Moors Women's fixtures

Need a little break from the British weather? We've found two tempting return flight deals from Birmingham Airport that might just have you reaching for your passport! 🌍

Birmingham → Turin
📅 Saturday 7 → Monday 9 November
✈️ Ryanair — Direct
💰 From £31 return

Two nights in northern Italy for less than the price of a takeaway? Yes, please! 🇮🇹🍕

Think beautiful piazzas, mountain views, incredible Italian coffee and enough pizza and pasta to keep you going until Christmas. Turin is one of Italy's underrated city-break destinations, and at this price, it's seriously tempting!

👉 Have a look at Birmingham to Turin flights

Birmingham → Paris Beauvais
📅 Friday 20 → Monday 23 November
✈️ Ryanair — Direct
💰 From £42 return

A long weekend in Paris for just £42 return?

Think cosy Parisian cafés, fresh croissants, a stroll along the Seine and perhaps a little early Christmas shopping. Just remember, Beauvais Airport is outside Paris, so you'll need to factor in the onward transfer.

👉 Have a look at Birmingham to Paris flights

✈️ Flight prices are per person, return, based on fares advertised on 28 October 2026. Prices and availability can change quickly. Baggage, seat selection and airport transfers may cost extra. Always check the final price before booking.

• Bin collections: https://digital.solihull.gov.uk/BinCollectionCalendar/
• Council news + updates: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news
• Travel disruptions (West Midlands): https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk/

Thanks for reading Solihull Spotlight 💙 let’s chat again on Sunday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.

P.S. Want your business in front of local Solihull readers? Reply with SPONSOR and I’ll send over our options.

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