The start of works to rebuild Erdington Leisure Centre, one of three existing leisure centres across the city to be replaced by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT), working in partnership with Birmingham City Council (BCC) has begun. A fourth centre at a new site at Icknield Port Loop in Edgbaston will also be built and managed by the Trust. Established in 2015, BCLT is tasked to create and maintain a first class range of health, leisure and recreational activities and facilities to serve all parts of the community.

In collaboration with the Black Country Growth Hub, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is inviting members of the local business community to join them for a unique networking experience to mark Black Country Day 2016. Taking place on 14^th July at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, this Black Country Day event is free to attend and will serve as the ideal opportunity for delegates to come together and celebrate the cultural heritage of the region.

Over thirty thousand people from across the West Midlands went bonkers in bandages today in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s fourth annual summer fundraiser – The Big Bandage. Celebrities such as Connie Talbot, UB40, Wolverhampton Wanderers Captain Danny Batth, the cast of Doctors and Aston Villa star Nathan Baker joined a host of businesses, schools, community groups, patients and staff by putting on a bandage and making a donation.

Direct Line Pet Insurance can reveal millions of cats are at risk of life threatening illnesses as a result of being overfed and not doing enough physical activity. Over two fifths (42 per cent) of the nation’s cats are overweight. Direct Line Pet Insurance is urging responsible pet ownership as more than a quarter (26 per cent) of vets surveyed said that more than half of the cats they treat are now overweight.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today said the city was one of the best places in the world to visit as new figures show the capital remains the favoured destination for international travellers. According to the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey, London received a record 3.8 million visits from overseas travellers in the first three months of this year, an increase of seven per cent, when compared to the same period in 2015.

Nationwide Building Society asks members to vote online for the charities they would like to receive a £5,000 donation, as part of the Society’s initiative – The Big Local – and make a difference to lives and communities across the UK. Each month Nationwide selects three charities nominated by its members from a different UK region. The three chosen charities will each be awarded £200 and both the public and Nationwide members can vote for which of the three they would most like to receive an additional £5,000.