Good Morning Solihull 👋
Thursday’s here, which means the weekend is within touching distance, and we’ve got plenty to help you make the most of it.
This morning, we’re looking at a £5m boost for community healthcare in Solihull, celebrating a brilliant local sporting champion, and sharing a lovely excuse to wear your slippers for a good cause.
If you’re already thinking about the weekend, we’ve found free things to do, autumn days out and a few dates worth getting in the diary. Plus, there are two Solihull food spots worth knowing about, including one café in the running to be named among the best in the West Midlands.
And if Solihull suddenly feels a little too close to home… how does Paris for £28 return sound? ✈️🇫🇷
Let’s get into it.
— Max
📰 Local Solihull Updates
🏥 £5m boost for community healthcare in Solihull
More than £5 million is being invested in transforming community healthcare across Solihull, with plans to bring more support closer to where people live.
The programme has been developed by Solihull Hospital and Community Services alongside local GPs, public health, social care and voluntary organisations, and has now been approved by NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board.
The aim is to move away from relying so heavily on hospital-based care and towards more proactive, preventative and joined-up support in the community. Areas being prioritised include care for people living with frailty and long-term health conditions, respiratory services, end-of-life care and helping patients move more smoothly through the health system.
For residents, the longer-term ambition is simple: more care delivered closer to home and earlier support before health problems become more serious. 🏡❤️
✨ Solihull Community Spotlight ✨
💻 Solihull College crowned a Digital Revolutionary
Solihull College & University Centre is celebrating after taking home the Digital Revolutionary Award at this year’s Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards. 🏆
The award recognised the college’s innovative “Solihull Unplugged” cyber security exercise, which tested what would happen if the organisation was hit by a major cyber attack and suddenly lost access to its essential digital systems.
Rather than waiting for the real thing to happen, teams were challenged to work through how the college could continue operating, testing everything from internal communications and decision-making to existing processes and contingency plans.
The exercise helped identify where improvements could be made and strengthened the college’s preparations for a potential future cyber incident — earning it the title of Solihull Digital Revolutionary 2026.
👏 Congratulations to everyone involved!
🥿 Solihull, it’s time to Slip Into Slippers!
There’s an excellent excuse to swap your shoes for something considerably comfier next Thursday…
Age UK Solihull is inviting schools, businesses, community groups and residents across the borough to “Slip Into Slippers” on Thursday 1 October to mark Older People’s Day. ❤️
The idea is wonderfully simple: wear your slippers to work, school or at home and make a donation to Age UK Solihull. If slippers aren't your thing, you can wear your favourite hat, organise a bake sale or quiz, take on a sponsored challenge or simply make a donation instead.
Every penny raised stays locally and helps Age UK Solihull provide services including befriending, social activities, digital-skills support, information and advice for older people across the borough.
And this one is especially close to home for us at Solihull Spotlight. ❤️
🏃 A little personal one from me…
Next April, I’ll be taking on the 2027 TCS London Marathon to raise money for Age UK Solihull, our chosen charity partner.
They do brilliant work supporting older people right here in our community, so I’m really proud to be fundraising for them over the months ahead.
There are still plenty of training miles between now and the start line, but if you’d like to support the challenge, every donation, big or small, genuinely means a lot and will help Age UK Solihull continue the work they do locally.
🍽️ Where to eat in Solihull
☕ Have you tried one of the West Midlands’ best café contenders?
There’s a little café in the heart of Solihull that has just picked up some rather impressive recognition…
Encore Café at The Core has been shortlisted for Café/Coffee Shop of the Year at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2027. 🏆
Tucked inside The Core in Theatre Square, Encore is much more than somewhere to grab a coffee before a show. The café serves breakfasts, freshly made lunches, daily specials and locally sourced produce, including the likes of Lashford’s sausages and Fowler’s cheese. Regulars have even described it as a bit of a “calm oasis” in the town centre.
You can also make more of an occasion of it with an afternoon tea for £25 per person, including sandwiches, warm savouries, scones, French patisserie and unlimited Fairtrade tea or filter coffee. Add a glass of Prosecco for £6.50 if you're feeling fancy. 🥂
So next time you're heading through town, whether you're seeing a show or not, it might be worth popping in and seeing what all the fuss is about.
👏 Good luck to the Encore team at the awards!
🍕 In case you missed it… Prezzo is back in Solihull
If you've walked through Touchwood recently, you might have spotted a familiar Italian name that's new to the centre.
Prezzo opened its new Solihull restaurant this summer at 46 Upper Jubilee Walk, bringing pizzas, pasta, cocktails and desserts back to the town centre. 🇮🇹
And there are currently a few offers worth knowing about.
🍝 £11.95 Express Lunch — choose a pizza or pasta plus a soft drink, pint of Poretti or 175ml house wine, Monday–Friday from 12–3pm. A valid offer code is required.
🥂 Thursday Mate Night — two mains and two drinks for £34.95 every Thursday, with drinks including soft drinks, house wine, beer and cocktails.
And families might be interested in the new Prezzo Kids Club — £1.99 a month or £19.99 a year, giving up to three children a free three-course kids' meal per visit when an adult full-price main is purchased.
So if Prezzo's arrival passed you by over the summer, here's your excuse to give Solihull's newest Italian a try.
What’s on in Solihull
🍎 Harvest Saturday at Packwood House — Saturday 26 September — FREE EVENT
Get into the autumn spirit at Packwood House this Saturday, 10am–3pm, as the garden team celebrates this year's harvest. Taste different varieties of apples and pears fresh from the orchard, pick up produce from the Kitchen Garden and have a go at family activities including making a herb pillow and bird feeder. The event itself is free, although normal National Trust admission charges apply.
👉 Harvest Saturday at Packwood
🧠 Migraine Awareness & Wellbeing Event — The Shirley Centre — Saturday 26 September — FREE
Looking for a little wellbeing time this weekend? Head to The Shirley Centre on Saturday, 2:30–5:30pm for a free afternoon supporting The Migraine Trust. There'll be talks on migraine, mental health and wellbeing, alongside yoga and relaxation sessions, nutrition, massage, mindfulness and local wellbeing stalls. Entry is completely free, although spaces are limited — and the first 50 visitors will receive a free wellbeing gift bag.
👉 Book your free Migraine Awareness & Wellbeing ticket
🏡 Grand Designs Live — NEC Birmingham — Friday 2–Sunday 4 October
Planning a renovation, dreaming about an extension or just love getting ideas for your home? Grand Designs Live returns to the NEC from 2–4 October, 10am–5pm, bringing hundreds of home and interiors brands under one roof. Expect the 2026 Grand House, live talks, expert advice, new products and plenty of inspiration for everything from kitchens to greener homes. Children aged 15 and under go free, with adult tickets also available on the day for £16.
👉 Grand Designs Live Birmingham
📚 Who's in Your Book? — Baddesley Clinton — From Saturday 3 October
Got a little Tom Fletcher fan at home? Monster and his friends have escaped from their books at Baddesley Clinton, and families are being challenged to help find them. From Saturday 3 October, follow an interactive trail around the gardens, hunt for familiar characters and complete playful challenges inspired by the Who's in Your Book? series. The trail is free with normal admission, National Trust members and under-fives go free, and it runs right through until 8 November.
👉 Who's in Your Book? at Baddesley Clinton
🎶 Sing Solihull: You Raise Me Up — The Core — Sunday 11 October
One for the diary: Sing Solihull is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special concert at The Core on Sunday 11 October at 3pm. Expect an uplifting afternoon of popular classics, timeless favourites and familiar melodies, celebrating a decade of friendship, community and singing in Solihull. Tickets are £15 + booking fee, with limited availability already showing.
👉 Sing Solihull: 10th Anniversary Concert
⚽ SOLIHULL SPORT
🏎️ 17-year-old Solihull driver becomes youngest-ever Formula Ford champion
A huge congratulations to Solihull teenager Harrison Morrow, who has officially become the youngest-ever Super Classic Formula Ford champion. 🏆
The 17-year-old secured the 2026 title at Anglesey after a brilliant first full season with Shaws Motorsport, having made the step up to Formula Ford following eight years of karting.
We mentioned Harrison earlier this month when he was closing in on the championship — well, he's gone and done it! He'll now head to the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch next month before competing in the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone later in the year.
Even better, Harrison returned home after winning the title and spoke to pupils at Monkspath Junior and Infant School about his journey through motorsport. 🏁👏
🏏 Knowle & Dorridge are champions!
Another local title to celebrate — Knowle & Dorridge Cricket Club have been crowned league champions after wrapping up the season with a 35-run victory over Kenilworth Wardens. 🏆
K&D headed into the final weekend knowing the title was within reach and made sure there was no late drama, posting 246-9 before restricting their opponents to 184-7.
The result meant they finished the campaign 17 points clear of closest challengers Smethwick, completing a brilliant season for the Station Road club.
👏 A massive congratulations to everyone at the club!
🏒 Goals galore for the Solihull Barons
If you've never watched the Solihull Barons, they've certainly been providing plenty of entertainment since the new ice hockey season got underway.
The Barons fired nine goals past Sheffield Scimitars in a 9–4 away win on Saturday, before returning to Planet Ice on Sunday for an absolute thriller against Widnes Wild.
That one eventually finished 6–5 to Widnes after overtime, meaning an incredible 20 goals across the Barons' two games this weekend. 😅🏒
Next up, Solihull travel to Blackburn Hawks this Sunday 27 September at 6pm as their NIHL North campaign continues.
✈️ SPONTANEOUS GETAWAY
No weekend plans? Sometimes the best solution is simply to leave the country… 😅
We’ve been hunting for bargain flights from Birmingham Airport, and here are two that caught our eye this week:
🇫🇷 Paris — from £28 RETURN
Croissants for breakfast, a wander along the Seine and an evening glass of wine in Paris? Birmingham Airport is currently showing direct return flights from just £28, flying out Saturday 3 October and returning Tuesday 6 October with Ryanair.
That’s three nights in Paris for less than the price of plenty of train tickets around the UK. Just remember the flights use Paris Beauvais, so factor the onward transfer into the city into your plans.
☀️ Faro — from £56 RETURN
Not quite ready to say goodbye to summer? You could swap Solihull for the Algarve for less than £60 return.
Direct Ryanair flights are currently showing from £56 return, leaving Birmingham on Monday 5 October and flying back Friday 9 October.
That gives you four nights to explore Faro's old town, head for the beaches or use it as a base for a little Algarve sunshine before autumn properly sets in. 🏖️
💡 Also spotted: Venice from £28, Stockholm from £34, Dubrovnik from £46 and Budapest from £61 on selected October dates.
Flight prices were available when we checked and can change quickly — so always check the final fare, baggage allowance and travel dates before booking.
THE QUICK LOCAL CHECKLIST (so you don’t get caught out)
• 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.
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