Good Evening Solihull 👋

There’s plenty to get stuck into this week.

We’ve got news of adidas opening a brand-new store at Resorts World, up to £5,000 available for young people with an idea to improve Solihull, two new food finds, and a seriously packed What’s On section — from fireworks and country music to teddy bears, science and free cycle rides.

And if you fancy escaping altogether, we’ve spotted flights from Birmingham from just £14.99. ✈️

Let’s get into it.

— Max

Resorts World is getting another big-name addition.

Adidas is preparing to open a brand-new store at Resorts World Birmingham, with recruitment now underway for its founding team.

The sportswear giant is currently advertising for a range of roles including store management, sales consultants, visual merchandising and stockroom positions — all specifically listed as part of the new Resorts World opening.

There’s no confirmed opening date just yet, but with the team now being assembled, it looks like we won’t have too long to wait before the three stripes arrive next door to the NEC.

👀 We’ll keep an eye out for the opening date.

Ever found yourself at a bus stop wondering whether your bus is two minutes away… or somewhere in another postcode entirely?

There’s now a handy new way to check.

6,700 bus stop poles across the West Midlands have been fitted with QR codes giving passengers live departure information straight to their phones.

Simply scan the code and you’ll see the next services, destinations and countdown times, as well as information about delays, diversions and cancellations.

There’s no app to download, no registration and no adverts — just a virtual departure board in your browser.

🚌 A small update, but potentially a very useful one for anyone travelling around Solihull by bus.

Got an idea that could make Solihull a little bit better?

Ideas Made Real is giving young people aged 16–24 the chance to receive up to £5,000 to turn a community idea into reality.

And in Solihull, there are no restrictions on the theme — so your idea could be anything from creating a community garden or running activities for young people to tackling loneliness, improving wellbeing or solving a problem you've spotted in your neighbourhood.

Successful applicants also receive training and ongoing support to help bring their project to life.

You can apply individually or with a group of up to five people, as long as everyone is aged 16–24.

⏰ You'll need to be quick — applications close at 12 noon on Wednesday 16 September.

👉 If you've been sitting on a good idea, this might be your sign to do something with it.

The knitting needles are coming back out for Age UK Solihull's Big Knit.

The wonderfully simple idea sees local knitters and crocheters create tiny woolly hats for innocent smoothie bottles, with innocent donating 30p to Age UK Solihull for every hat received.

And Solihull's knitters are pretty good at it…

The last campaign produced an incredible 13,243 hats, raising vital funds to help support older people across the borough.

You don't even need to be an expert. Age UK Solihull runs a free Big Knit drop-in every Thursday from 1–3pm at The Core, with wool, patterns and hot drinks provided, just bring your knitting needles.

🧶 Knit one at home, bring your friends along or see if you can help Solihull beat 13,243 this time around.

Possibly the easiest good deed you'll do today.

Age UK Solihull is in the running to receive a £1,000 donation through Benefact Group's Movement for Good Awards and local nominations can help give them a better chance of being selected.

It takes around one minute to nominate them, and that £1,000 could help Age UK Solihull continue supporting older people across the borough with advice, friendship and practical support.

👉 If you're reading this with a spare minute, please give them a nomination.

Next April, I'll be taking on the 2027 London Marathon to raise money for Age UK Solihull.

It's a cause that's particularly important to me. I didn't get as much time with my grandparents as I would have liked, so supporting an organisation helping older people in our own community feels incredibly worthwhile.

There are still plenty of miles between me and the finish line but every donation, however small, will make those training runs feel a little more worthwhile.

💛 If you'd like to support my London Marathon fundraiser, you can donate here

If curry night is calling, Divine Restaurant on Haslucks Green Road is well worth having on your list.

The Shirley restaurant has built a strong local following for its Indian and Bangladeshi food, with a menu packed with familiar favourites alongside plenty of house specials.

A few that caught our eye? The Divine Bemissal, Beef Dhaba Chilli and Bengal Naga if you like your curry with a bit of a kick.

It looks like one of those places that works just as well for a Friday-night meal out as it does for a midweek takeaway.

📍 347 Haslucks Green Road, Shirley

👉 One for your next curry night.

Know a brilliant curry house around Solihull that we should try? Reply and tell us your favourite.

Here’s a good one for a slower Sunday afternoon.

The Wharf Tavern sits alongside the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal in Hockley Heath, making it a lovely stopping point after a walk along the towpath.

The pub serves up classic comfort food including burgers, pizzas and traditional pub favourites, alongside real ales and a canalside garden for when the weather behaves.

It’s dog-friendly too, so you can bring the four-legged walking companion along for the full canal walk → pub lunch combination.

📍 2390 Stratford Road, Hockley Heath

👉 A very solid excuse to get out for a walk before lunch.

What’s your favourite pub or local around Solihull? Message in and let us know where we should visit next.

Looking for something to do this week? We’ve rounded up a mix of family days out, date-night ideas, live entertainment, local events and a few slightly different things to try around Solihull and nearby.

£ = ticketed / paid event. No £ means it’s free to attend.

⛪ Explore St Alphege Church — Saturday 19 September
Ever wondered what’s hiding inside one of Solihull’s most recognisable buildings? The 800-year-old St Alphege Church opens its doors for free as part of Heritage Open Days. It’s a chance to explore the historic church and take a closer look at features including its tower, architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows.
👉 St Alphege Heritage Open Day

🎆 Firework Champions, Ragley Hall — Saturday 19 September (£)
This could be one of the biggest family nights out of the month. Three professional firework companies compete with huge displays choreographed to music — before a fourth grand finale. Gates open at 4pm, with the competition starting at 8pm. Advance tickets are £30 adults, £20 children aged 5–16, and under-fives go free.
👉 Firework Champions at Ragley Hall

☀️ Solar Science for Families — Saturday 19 September
Got a budding scientist at home? The University of Birmingham is hosting a free family science day, packed with hands-on activities exploring the Sun, space weather, satellites and distant worlds. Families can drop in throughout the day and meet real scientists working in the field.
👉 Solar Science for Families

👶 Baby and the Beats — Sunday 20 September (£)
Raving looks a little different when bedtime is at 7pm. Baby and the Beats takes over the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath from 3.30–4.30pm, for an hour of music and dancing designed for parents and their little ones. A fun one for families who aren't quite ready to give up their Sunday dancefloor.
👉 Baby and the Beats

🤠 Nuthurst Country Fest, Hockley Heath — Sunday 20 September (£)
Cowboy boots at the ready. Nuthurst Grange Hotel is going country from 11am–7pm, with tribute acts celebrating Chris Stapleton, Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, Teddy Swims and Dolly Parton. There’ll also be line dancing, a country DJ, street food, stalls and bars throughout the day.
👉 Nuthurst Country Fest

🚲 Free Cycle Solihull Rides — Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September
Fancy seeing a bit more of Solihull on two wheels? Cycle Solihull's volunteer-led rides are completely free, with around 30 miles through Lapworth on Saturday, followed by a 22-mile Dickens Heath ride on Sunday. A nice excuse to get outside — and potentially discover a few new local routes along the way.
👉 Cycle Solihull free rides

🏡 A Place in the Sun Live — Friday 18–Sunday 20 September (£)
Dreaming about swapping Solihull drizzle for somewhere a little warmer? A Place in the Sun Live returns to the NEC from 10am–4pm, bringing together overseas property experts, thousands of homes, seminars and advice on buying or relocating abroad. Tickets are £12, concessions £6, and under-18s go free with a ticket holder.
👉 A Place in the Sun Live

🎮 VeXpo, NEC Birmingham — Friday 18–Sunday 20 September (£)
One for the gamers, anime fans and internet-culture crowd. VeXpo takes over the NEC for three days celebrating the world of VTubers alongside gaming, anime and online content creation. Expect creators, exhibitors, community events and live entertainment, with tickets from £25.
👉 VeXpo 2026

🧸 Hugglets TEDDIES Festival — Sunday 20 September (£)
Here’s something a little different. The Hugglets TEDDIES Festival makes its first visit to the NEC from 11am–4pm, bringing together teddy bear artists, collectors and makers from around the world. Expect everything from antique bears and one-off handmade creations to clothes, accessories and bear-making supplies.
👉 Hugglets TEDDIES Festival

A difficult start to the National League season continued yesterday as Solihull Moors were beaten 2–1 by Aldershot Town at Damson Park.

There isn’t much time to dwell on it, though. Moors are back at home against Barrow on Tuesday night at 7.45pm, before travelling to Yeovil Town on Friday evening.

👉 A big week ahead as Moors look to get their season moving.

The good form has kept rolling at Earlswood.

Town headed into this weekend on an incredible 21-game unbeaten run after a convincing 3–0 away win at Coventry Alvis last weekend.

Their next league fixture sees Cadbury Athletic visit The Pavilions on Saturday 19 September.

🔥 Twenty-one unbeaten is some going.

Ice hockey season is back — and the Solihull Barons started with a thriller, beating Nottingham Lions 6–5 at Planet Ice last weekend.

They face Nottingham again tonight at 7.20pm, this time away, before visiting Sheffield Scimitars next Saturday and welcoming Widnes Wild to Solihull for cup action on Sunday 20 September at 5.30pm.

🏒 Definitely one to add to the local-sport calendar.

Part of a local sports team? ⚽🏉🏑🏏🏃

Whether you play football, rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, run, cycle or something completely different, we’d love to hear how you're getting on.

👉 Reply to this email with your results, news or upcoming fixtures and we might feature your team in the next Solihull Spotlight.

Fancy escaping for a few days? We’ve had a look at some of the cheaper flights currently showing from Birmingham Airport.

🇮🇪 Dublin — from £14.99 each way
Fancy a Guinness, live music and a wander around Temple Bar? Ryanair is currently showing Birmingham → Dublin from £14.99, including a Monday 21 September departure. Flight time is only around 1 hour 5 minutes.
👉 Perfect for a quick city break.

🇪🇸 Madrid — from £16.99 each way
Tapas for less than the price of some train tickets? Madrid is currently available from £16.99 one way, with a Friday 25 September departure showing at that price. You’ll be there in around 2 hours 30 minutes.
👉 Sunshine, food and a seriously tempting fare.

🇵🇱 Kraków — from £28 each way
One of our favourite value city-break destinations is looking pretty affordable too. Jet2 currently has Birmingham → Kraków from £28, including availability on Friday 18 September.
👉 Think old-town squares, pierogi and plenty to explore on foot.

Prices checked Sunday 13 September for one adult and are based on the lowest advertised one-way fare. Flight prices move quickly, and extras such as bags and seat selection may cost more.

• 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 Thursday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.

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