Hello Solihull 👋

A slightly more personal hello from me this week, because it’s my wife Laura’s birthday today — so before anything else, happy birthday to her. ❤️

We’re keeping things super local this week, with plenty happening across Solihull right now: from live music and theatre to food spots, family ideas and a few useful local updates.

In today’s edition, we’ve rounded up local news, shared a lovely community spotlight from Olton, included our first Founding Local Partner offer from Ananda Pearl Yoga & Wellness, and pulled together lots of things to do, whether you’re planning family time, catching up with friends, or just looking for an excuse to get out of the house.

Let’s get into it.

— Max

Plans have been unveiled for a new 300-home development in Knowle, on land off Kenilworth Road / Golden End Farm.

According to the developer’s consultation material, the proposal includes around 300 new homes, with up to 50% affordable housing, alongside a new community park, sports pitch, children’s play areas, walking and cycling routes, plus extra planting and biodiversity improvements.

It’s the kind of story that will naturally spark plenty of local discussion, especially around traffic, infrastructure and green space, so it’s one many readers in Knowle, Dorridge and the surrounding area will want to keep an eye on. The developer’s public consultation has now closed, although their website says residents can still contact the project team with questions.

👉 Knowle Housing Estate

A local sanctuary in Solihull for anyone needing a moment to slow down 🤍

This week’s local partner is Ananda Pearl Yoga & Wellness, a calming Solihull-based space created by Dr Gurpreet Solanki for people who need a chance to pause, breathe and reconnect.

Gurpreet’s journey into wellness began during a deeply challenging period of grief, overwhelm and perimenopause, when Yin Yoga became a way to slow down, soften and come back to herself. That personal experience now shapes the way she teaches, with warmth, compassion, and a real focus on deep rest, calm and renewal.

At Ananda Pearl, Gurpreet offers weekly Yin Yoga classes, along with mini retreats and day retreats, all designed to help people step away from the busyness of everyday life and carve out time for themselves. Sessions incorporate Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and a nurturing atmosphere designed to feel calm, welcoming and restorative.

If you’ve been craving a little more calm lately, this feels like a lovely local one to explore. My wife and I are also really looking forward to trying a session on 22nd April, which makes it especially nice to share.

Classes run weekly on Wednesday evenings, and Solihull Spotlight readers can use code SPOTLIGHT for 10% off.

👉 Explore upcoming classes and retreats here

This week’s community spotlight comes from James, who kindly messaged in to say that one of the best things about living in Olton is the easy access to the canals, especially for running. It’s such a good shout. The canals are one of those understated local perks, ideal for a morning run, an evening walk, or just a bit of breathing space close to home. I’ve walked to Baddesley Clinton along the Grand Union before and made a proper day of it, and it’s one of those routes that really reminds you how lucky we are to have these quieter, greener pockets so close by.

This next community spotlight is for anyone wanting to meet new people, get outside, and be part of something positive locally. On Tuesday 12 May, Solihull Women’s Stride Squad CIC and Men Walking and Talking – Solihull are coming together for One Big Walk at Malvern & Brueton Park, with people meeting at 6.45pm ahead of a 7pm start.

If you like the sound of it, both groups also run regular local walks. Solihull Women’s Stride Squad meets at Malvern & Brueton Park on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, as well as on Friday mornings, while Men Walking and Talking – Solihull meets every Tuesday and Thursday, gathering at 6.45pm outside the main gates on New Road for a 7pm walk.

👉 Solihull Women’s Stride Squad & Men Walking and Talking – Solihull

I’d love to include more reader favourites in this section — whether it’s a walk you love, a café, a park, a hidden gem, or just something that makes your area feel special. Just reply with where and one thing you love about it, and I may include it in a future edition.

A quick correction from last week before we get into this week’s food nudge: a few readers kindly messaged to say that Fatto A Napoli in Shirley is currently closed for rebranding, so I wanted to mention that here in case you spotted it in last week’s email. Thanks to everyone who let me know.

Hampton Manor is always a lovely local one to have on your radar. The estate is home to a few different dining experiences depending on what sort of outing you want — from the Michelin-starred Grace & Savour for something special, to Kynd, which focuses on British produce cooked over coals and offers lunch Friday to Sunday as well as supper club and dinner service. It’s definitely more of a treat-yourself option, but a brilliant local one for a celebration, date night or memorable meal close to home.

👉 Hampton Manor

I’ve tried the brunch here myself and really rate it. Their Solihull café leans into all-day breakfast, brunch, coffee, lunch and cake, so it works well whether you’re after a proper brunch stop or just an easy coffee-and-catch-up kind of plan. It’s also worth knowing that Boston Tea Party Solihull hosts local events too. They have a business networking event on the first Thursday of each month, plus a Solihull Run Club event listing that includes 10% off brunch afterwards, and they also use the space for community meet-ups and other hosted sessions.

👉 Boston Tea Party Solihull

If you’re looking for things to do in Solihull, here are a few events, outings and local ideas worth having on your radar.

Solihull Moors have had a steadier week, following up their 4-1 home win over Boreham Wood with back-to-back 0-0 away draws at Southend and Woking. Next up, they’re back at Damson Park this Saturday (18 April, 3pm) to face Boston United in their final home fixture of the season, before an away trip to Yeovil Town on 25 April.

• 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 💙
We’ll be back on Sunday with more local ideas, updates and things to do. Hit reply and tell me what you’d like more of next week: family ideas, events, food finds, 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 current options.