Hello Solihull 👋

Mid-March is bringing that lovely in-between season feeling, lighter evenings, sunnier days and spring plans starting to fill up, with plenty happening across Solihull.

In today’s edition, we’ve got a ‘the future is coming’ local news story for you, a couple of brilliant community spotlights, two food shout-outs worth knowing about, and a round-up of ideas for the days ahead, from craft fairs and family plans to sport and spring activities.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

Fancy doing something a little different next week? It’s now the last week to try Solihull’s autonomous shuttle buses, with the SCALE pilot currently scheduled to run until 26 March 2026. Running Tuesday to Thursday, 10am–3pm the fully electric self-driving shuttles link Birmingham International station, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park, giving locals and visitors a chance to experience a small glimpse of what future travel could look like in our area.

The shuttles are part of Solihull wider work to explore how connected and autonomous vehicles could fit into the borough’s future transport network, with the aim of offering more shared, zero-emission travel options and reducing reliance on single-occupancy car journeys. The current SCALE phase follows earlier trials at the NEC and is testing everything from passenger experience to how viable these services could be longer term.

Future of Solihull? Maybe. Either way, it’s not every day you get the chance to hop on a driverless bus — so if you’re curious, now’s the time.

👉 https://www.thescaleproject.io/

Golf can sometimes feel like one of those sports people assume is hard to get into, but England Golf’s Get into Golf platform is all about changing that. With beginner-friendly sessions, family and junior activities, and welcoming local clubs helping people get started, it’s a reminder that in Solihull, we’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to giving golf a go.

From its welcoming Juniors Academy to the wider Get into Golf movement, Olton Golf Club is helping open up the game to the next generation and complete beginners alike. It’s a great example of a local club making golf feel more fun, friendly and accessible, right here in Solihull. Group lessons are available from £6 per session, with Academy membership from £60 per year, so it’s a really approachable way to get started. If you, your children, or someone you know has been thinking about giving golf a go, now’s a great time to find out more.

👉 https://getintogolf.activityfinder.net/providers/rocksandrookies/venues/77ce7d00-0dfb-48af-a90e-f4b1434df495

👉 https://www.oltongolfclub.co.uk/juniors_academy

Elizabeth from Dorridge says one of the things she loves most about the area is the coffee shop scene and we completely get it. Dorridge has become one of those places where a coffee shop can easily turn into a catch-up, a work session or a slow weekend brunch. Local independent Brondi, which recently turned one, describes itself as an Aussie-inspired speciality coffee and brunch spot in the heart of Dorridge, while Espresso Station remains one of those handy local favourites built around good coffee and a warm welcome.

👉 https://www.brondi.co.uk/

👉 https://www.instagram.com/espressostationdorridge/

Hersha from Dickens Heath got in touch to say she loves the local mix of sewing, golf and fitness classes for the over-60s. We thought that was such a lovely reminder of what makes this area special: there are so many ways to stay active, creative and connected. From gentle exercise to hobbies and a golf scene we’re pretty spoilt for, there’s plenty going on in and around Solihull for all ages.

👉 https://solihullonthemove.co.uk/get-support-to-be-active/older-adults/

Want to be featured in Community Spotlight?
We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a DM on Instagram at @solihullspotlight or email us at [email protected] — whether it’s your favourite local spot, a hidden gem, or simply what you love most about living in the area.

A little local applause 👏 for The Two Mugs in Shirley, who have just won Bronze for Café/Coffee Shop of the Year at the 2026 West Midlands Tourism Awards. If you’re looking for a weekend coffee stop, a brunch catch-up or an excuse to support a brilliant local independent, this is a very easy yes. Congratulations to Natalie and the team and to all those involved!

👉 https://thetwomugs.com/

If you fancy a local stop this weekend, Ethel’s in Cheswick Green is a lovely shout. It’s a family-run local café (and dog friendly) on Cheswick Way, and a nice one to include if you want to give a bit of love to a neighbourhood spot slightly outside the usual town centre picks.

👉 https://www.instagram.com/ethels/

A few things worth having on your radar for the week ahead — from creative workshops and family plans to movement, music and local clubs.

👉 https://adventure.hattonworld.com/things-to-do-in-the-easter-holidays/

👉 https://allactivecamps.com/

A mixed week for Solihull Moors, who followed last Saturday’s heavy 5–1 defeat away at Wealdstone with a 1–1 draw at Brackley Town on Tuesday night. The point was a steadier response after a difficult afternoon in London, with the Moors now turning their attention back to Damson Park this weekend vs Halfiax.

There was also some positive off-pitch news this week, with Isaac Moore’s loan from Coventry City extended until the end of the season — a welcome boost as Solihull head into a big final stretch of the National League campaign.

Fixtures + match info 👉 https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/first-team-fixtures

• 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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