All posts by Macfivenews

Motoring and travel journalist, opinionated gob on a stick
News

Book tells story of MS

Leave a comment
Grateful for help with the book, Dr Emma Hodges, CEO of St Giles Hospice, with copies of the publication on multiple sclerosis
Collaboration highlights experiences of Sutton Coldfield people living with multiple sclerosis

Sutton Coldfield people directly affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) have told their stories and offered their honest insights into living with the condition in a new book.

Collected Stories: Living with Multiple Sclerosis has been developed to provide a learning resource for health professionals across the UK and was released during National MS Awareness Week (19-25th April, 2021).

The book is one of the outputs from a research project carried out by St Giles Hospice, Keele University and members of the hospice’s MS support group.  

The project began in 2018 and involved focus groups and interviews designed to help understand the experiences of people with MS in accessing hospice care and support. It was conducted by Professor Sue Read and Teaching Fellow Dr Sotirios Santatzoglou from Keele University, Dr Emma Hodges from St Giles Hospice and participants from the hospice’s MS groups based in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield.

Following the study, the research team were so inspired by the experiences the group shared that they spoke to participants about how they might want to share their stories more widely. 

Professor Read said: “I have been involved in the production of books previously as a way of sharing important life experiences and supporting healthcare professionals to learn and reflect on their practice.  The group wanted to have their voices heard so they asked us to support them. It was a pleasure to help them do that as an outcome of the research.

“The book incorporates a wonderful, unique collection of stories that provides powerful insights into the impact that multiple sclerosis has on the individual, their families and professional carers.”

Contributors include people living with the condition along with volunteers and staff at St Giles Hospice. The book also features a foreword written by community historian Professor Carl Chinn, who offers a moving account of his childhood experience of living with his own grandfather who was diagnosed with MS in the 1950s.

The powerful testimonies in the book feature the life stories of several people diagnosed with MS, highlighting their different experiences, the philosophies and coping mechanisms that have helped them through the years and the actions of the wider community that have helped or hindered their daily lives.

An exercise instructor working with the MS groups at St Giles and a hospice member of staff have also contributed to the collection, revealing how their own preconceptions have been challenged by their experiences and the insights they have gained as a result.

“We didn’t intend to pull together this collection of stories from the beginning of the research project – it simply evolved as stories often do in life. Little did we know the work that it would entail, or the impact that these stories would have on those people involved and those listening to the stories.” – Professor Sue Read

Dr Emma Hodges, CEO of St Giles Hospice, said: “Research is a small but important part of our strategy at St Giles. We support a range of national research studies and also design our own in order to improve patient care and/or community support for people with a terminal illness.  In all of our research we aim to proactively involve the people we support.

“We are extremely grateful to members of the St Giles MS groups who shared their stories with us and wrote with such thoughtfulness, dignity and compassion. We hope that their candour and wisdom will help us to better understand their individual and varied experiences of MS and to shape our services more effectively to support their needs.

“We also hope that their insights will be useful to professionals in the wider community as they learn from the real MS experts – the people who are living with the condition every day of their lives.”

For more details of the book or to buy a printed copy or downloadable version, visit www.stgileshospice.com/MS-book

All proceeds from the sale of Collected Stories: Living with Multiple Sclerosis will support St Giles Hospice and help fund vital care for local people and families living with a terminal illness.

For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit www.stgileshospice.com

For further information or for any media enquiries please contact gary.young@stgileshospice.com or Gary Young on 07855 926123.

Business, Lifestyle, pubs

Pubs back in business … mostly

Leave a comment
Clare Moran outside the Crown on Walsall Road which has been doing a roaring trade

Sutton Coldfield opens up as restrictions lifted

“While the new ways of working have been a little challenging, the rewards have far outweighed the negatives.”

Those are the optimistic words of a Sutton Coldfield pub manager whose premises enjoyed a better than expected return to business than anticipated.

For Clare Moran, manager at The Crown in Four Oaks, it’s so far so good.

But into the second week of latest lifting of lockdown restrictions and it would appear the glass is half full, certainly as far as the pubs in Sutton are concerned. With many keeping their doors shut and those that are open operating with restricted hours.

While many celebrated better-than-expected business thanks mainly to the fine weather, which is expected to continue, pubgoers returned to release months of pent-up demand, eager to get out for a meal or just a couple of pints during the continuing fine weather. Things appear to have slowed after the initial rush during the Easter break, but pubs are still busy.

Clare is delighted to be back in business. She said: “We were over the moon when Boris announced his roadmap out of lockdown and that we could begin to serve the great folks of Four Oaks again.

“It has certainly been busier than we anticipated and I think this is down to the nation’s confidence in the vaccine scheme and the measures we have in place to protect our team and guests. People trust their local, it’s ‘home from home’.

“It’s important to remember we are publicans not politicians, we must follow and enforce the guidelines, which we do, but we still have to ensure our guests enjoy our hospitality, albeit safely.”

Clare with customers enjoying the sun at The Crown

“Initially, the company I work for, only had plans to open around 200 pubs, but as we are proving more and more successful, they now have plans to open more pubs before the re-opening of our indoor areas.

“I’m optimistic that lockdown life is over, I have faith that the majority of people know and will follow the guidelines set for us.”

The boost in trade could also have been helped by the number of pubs that remained closed, with many choosing to sit it out until the next round of restrictions are lifted next month.

Many are also geared to to providing carvery-like menus which mean customers would not be allowed onto the premises to serve their own food.

A straw poll of the general area around showed up to half of pubs remained closed.

The reopening of non-essential shops, pubs, hairdressers and gyms and other venues was blessed with fine weather as those businesses appeared to being doing a roaring trade.

One barber shop owner in Four Oaks, Graham Whitehouse, said he was snowed under with demand. He usually took booking a couple of days in advance, but was fully booked initially.

Graham, who has been at the premises at Walsall Road for nearly 50 years, said: “It was manic. We had loads of bookings in the first week, but in the second week it levelled off again.

“Everyone was keen to get haircut.”

But retail business was also on a roll with one observer describing the re-opening as a carnival atmosphere and the first day reminiscent of VE Day celebrations.

The next round of lifting restriction is due on May 17, Covid cases permitting, when people will be allowed back inside hospitality venues.

Business, News, Roads

Lidl a step nearer to completion

Leave a comment
The view from what will be the car park for the new Lidl in Mere Green

Work is gathering pace on the new Lidl supermarket being built in Mere Green.

The roof is now on with brickwork in place, filling in the steel skeleton of the new building. The car parking area, seen from the picture above is now laid with just final resurfacing before the opening of the store in a matter of weeks.

The store looks to be on schedule for completion by the end of the spring, but the German owned store are tight-lipped about the opening date and how many jobs will be created.

The new supermarket will on the site of the former industrial site in Mere Green Road, which has lain derelict for more than 10 years.

The store has not met with universal approval with fears of traffic chaos, further exacerbated by new of a new Aldi store set to be built on the old Waitrose site on Belwell Lane.

It does seem inevitable there will be a big increase in traffic on the busy stretch of road, with Mulberry Walk virtually fully open with gym, shops like Poundland, bars and restaurants, together with existing supermarkets Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer. With a busy garage also at Mere Green island, it looks like delays will be on the way.

Motoring, Transport

Tiguan a true ‘people’s car’

Leave a comment

Volkswagen Tiguan

By Bill McCarthy

THE translation of Volkswagen into English could well describe the latest version of the firm’s hugely popular SUV.

‘The people’s car’ is very apt, with the VW Tiguan having sold six million worldwide since its introduction in 2007. So popular it took another nine years for the second generation to come along in 2016 and now that model has had a major revamp at the end of last year.

It is Europe’s best selling SUV and gets a new trim line-up and a choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid power units, together with design and technological advances.

Already one of the most stylish and recognisable on the market, it retains its muscular SUV look, sitting high off the ground with stylish 18-inch alloys. However the rugged look is softened with roof rails, rear tinted glass, LED Matrix headlights flanking the slim grille and large air flow ducts below.

 The firm’s Y-structure trim allows for two range toppers. It starts with Tiguan, then Life and a choice at the top end of Elegance for luxury, and R-Line, driven here, being the sportier model. This features 20-inch ‘Misano’ alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension, bespoke  bumpers and rear roof spoiler, as well as upgraded light clusters.

“Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60mph in just over nine seconds, with top seed of 121mph, if you are driving on German autobahns”

This model featured the hi-tech 1.5-litre TSI, 150 PS engine, mated with the familiar, slick-shifting 7-speed DSG transmission. The engine features cylinder deactivation, shutting down two cylinders under certain conditions to boost mpg and reduce CO2 emissions.

The interior is much improved  with the digital instrument panel ‘cockpit’ and the eight-inch touch screen dominating. The touchscreen controls navigation and sound system which includes DAB radio, and connectivity with streaming and internet capabilities. Smartphones can be hooked to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via screen mirroring.

In typical VW style the interior is solidly built with high quality fixtures and fittings, together with high-end soft touch finish to dash and doors and leather bound steering wheel and gearshift.

It is a comfortable place to be, with 30-colour ambient lighting, heated front seats, sports steering wheel with touch control function, brushed stainless steel pedals and a black headliner and aluminium scuff plates displaying the R-Line logo.

On the road the engine is refined, with plenty of grunt, and whether in full auto mode or having fun with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, is an engaging drive. Acceleration is brisk, hitting 60 in just over nine seconds and on to a top speed of 121 mph, if you fancy it, driving on the German autobahns.

Considering its high-off-the-ground stance, it feels stable, even when cornering at higher speeds, while the steering is nicely weighted and direct. The gearshifts via the dual-clutch box are barely perceptible, particularly around town. On the motorway is a comfortable cruiser with plenty of torque to aid overtaking at higher speeds, with only road noise from the large alloys occasionally intrusive and, if being really picky, some wind noise from the door mirrors.

 The cylinder technology helps to deliver impressive real-world economy, with nearly 40mpg possible according to the WLTP figures and CO2 emissions of 143 g/km.

There are multiple space and stowage options via the 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats which also slide back and forth. It has a large boot, which comes with the option of ‘kick’ operation for easy remote opening and easy loading, and partitions for keeping items separate.

The generous 615 litres increases to a huge 1,665 with the seats folded flat. In addition a large bin between the front seats offers further stowage space, as do the roof rails.

 There is a full complement of airbags, plus features like stability and traction control together with Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Assist and front and rear parking sensors, as well as a Driver Alert System and Dynamic Road Sign Display.

The R-Line also features Emergency Assist and Travel Assist over the Elegance trim model, facilitating Level 2 autonomous driving at speeds of up to 130 mph (where permitted).

The entry-level trim kicks off with a generous raft of equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights and the goodies mount up as you move up through Life and then twin range toppers Elegance and R-Line.

Factfile

Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line 1.5 TSI 150 DSG

Price: £ 32,135

Mechanical: 1498cc, 150PS, four-cylinder petrol engine driving front wheels via seven-speed DSG auto transmission

Maximum speed: 126mph

Acceleration: 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds

Economy: 38.8 mpg

Insurance group: 20E

CO2 emissions: 165g/km

BiK rating: 36 per cent

Warranty: three years, 60,000 miles

News

‘Sinnerman’ Paul at Sutton Town Hall

Leave a comment

ITV’s THE CHASE STAR TO HOST FUNDRAISER QUIZ

Comedian and quiz champion Paul Sinha, ‘The Sinnerman’ from ITV show The Chase, is to host a special on-line quiz to raise money to support the future of our theatre and heritage venue.

The quiz, which will take place next week on Wednesday 21st April, will be broadcast live to ticket holders on zoom, with a downloadable answer sheet to complete at home. 

Audience members won’t be seen by each other but can live message the host, star of ITV’s The Chase, and send in their scores. Revenue from tickets will go towards the £5million major renovation of Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. The essential works will secure and restore our Edwardian venue for future generations to use and enjoy.

Following his sell out show here in 2019, Paul Sinha was a natural choice as first  guest host of our quiz, working with top producers InQuizition. They are superb quiz producers – challenging enough but also accessible for non-quizzers and good fun.


Tickets are £7.50 per device – so you can play at home with the family with just one ticket.  The quiz will start at 8pm, with streaming starting at 7.50pm, until around 9.30pm. To purchase a unique link, or for more information, click here. 

Audience members can quiz alone or with family at home, or work with friends and family over the telephone or messaging apps. Ticket holders will be quizzed on a range of topics from popular culture to geography, history to science, and everything in between. 

Businesses / Teams wanting to take part should contact the Town Hall to arrange a group booking.

At the Town Hall, we have been successful in receiving additional funding through the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, to enable us to bring more staff back to work and plan the autumn and winter programme, including the pre-production of the venue’s December pantomime, Cinderella.  Funding will also support artistic projects  – such as this quiz – through the year to keep you entertained at home.

A further online quiz hosted by Eggheads’ Jeremy Vine will take place in June, ahead of his rescheduled live show at the venue in September. More to follow in our next newsletter!

Entertainment, Lifestyle, News

Fun in the sun as lockdown eased

Leave a comment
Enjoying a pint at the Mare Pool in Mere Green

Sutton rocking as restrictions lifted

“It’s like a carnival out there”, said one businessman returning from his first shopping trip to Sutton Coldfield town centre in months. “There’s crowds of people everywhere, ” he added.

He was, of course, referring to the latest relaxation of lockdown rules, which saw hundreds of people flock into the town and fill the pub gardens in what another observer described as like a VE Day celebration.

In the town centre, both The Station and The Town House, formerly The Royal, were packed out in their gardens.

But in a sobering reminder, just down the road at Sutton town hall, vaccinations were still taking place.

The reopening of non-essential shops, pubs, hairdressers and gyms and other venues was blessed with fine weather as the sun shone on drinkers and shoppers.

Not all pubs have reopened with some waiting for a further relaxation next month when, Covid cases permitting, people will be allowed back inside, but for those that did open it was boom time.

Top left, clockwise: in the garden at the Station; keeping warm with a pint in the Town House; The Old School House in Mere Green; the Cock ‘n’ Bull on Lichfield Road and pictures of The Butlers Arms on Lichfield Road and The Crown on Walsall Road

In Four Oaks, The Butlers Arms, The Crown, The Old School House and Wetherspoons were doing a roaring trade is people wrapped up against the early spring chill.

It seemed, however, that many had thrown caution to the wind, with social distancing being at best patchy and in some cases non existent.

But for Sutton businesses and those across the rest of the UK, it is a welcome release from the icy grip of winter and the death grip of the coronavirus.

Fingers crossed we have seen the last of lockdown and there are better times ahead.

Meanwhile, the lifesaving vaccination programme goes on at Sutton Town Hall
News, Travel

Early bird spring offers for Greek luxury resort

Leave a comment

By Bill McCarthy

One of the top holiday resorts on Greece’s lesser-known Western Greece mainland worth considering for a summer break, is the 5-star Aldemar Olympian Village Beach Resort in Olympia. Consider heading here for a five star seascape, located in one of the most scenically beautiful areas of the country. 

We experienced the delights of western Greece and this luxury resort on a visit in May 2019

The 5-star Olympian Village Beach Resort in Olympia, Western Greece is located in a historic region, home of the Greek gods and the Olympic Games, filled with ancient temples and Byzantine monasteries, this is a stunning hotel complex overlooking the sea.

There are great offers from UK’s tour operators including jet2holidays, easyjetholidays and British Airways Holidays or visit the resorts own web site for holiday packages too, with  a 10 per cent early booking, spring offer throughout April: an ‘exclusive, fully flexible’ offer.

While uncertainty stills surrounds international travel for UK holidaymakers because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aldemar team in Olympia is gearing up for its Summer Season 2021. Covid protocols are in place as they were last year, implemented for the safety of both the hotel staff and guests, throughout their stay.

It is a visually stunning hotel complex that stretches along (5 kms) sandy beach, surrounded by dozens of pools and beautiful gardens.

This part of Greece is one of the greenest and its natural wonders range from breathtaking mountains to ancient pine forests. The UK PR for this resort refers to this area as ‘Tuscany without the price-tag’ and as she’s partly Italian, we took her word for it when we visited, only to discover that indeed it was just that too and more!

The sprawling, low-rise five-star complex is situated in a secluded area near the village of Skafidia, just 30 kms from Ancient Olympia, hence why this area of Western Greece is also referred to as the ‘Olympian region’ of Greece. 

There’s accommodation to suit all budgets, from hotel-style rooms to apartments, family bungalows and even luxurious, top-of-the-range presidential suites with their own pools. 

Sit on the patio and in the distance is the island of Zante/Zakynthos and a little further north, Captain Corelli’s Kefalonia. Daily ferries can transport those eager to have their Greek Island fix, to both. The ferries depart from the port of Kyllini which is a 40 minute taxi ride away from the resort hotel.

Out and about Olympia is a must see. It was a major Panhellenic religious sanctuary of ancient Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held. The site was primarily dedicated to Zeus and drew visitors from all over the Greek world 

The Olympic Games were held every four years from the eighth century BC to the fourth century AD. The archaeological site held over 70 significant buildings, and ruins of many of these survive, although the main Temple of Zeus survives only as stones on the ground and a single column. 

Further afield is historic Sparta, Patras and Kalamata, all a full day trip. But if touring is not you thing. The resort has plenty to keep all ages entertained and relaxed. 

What’s on offer for early bird bookings

  • Welcome Package: Μineral water and Aldemar bath set (soap, shampoo, shower gel, nail file, shower cap, cotton buds, and sewing kit).
  • Free Internet Access
  • Complimentary bottle of wine in-room on arrival
  • Free use of beach and pool chairs & umbrellas
  • Free use of slippers during your stay in the hotel (for VIP & Family rooms bathrobes and beach towels are also available to use during your stay in the hotel) 
  • FREE Mini Club. For children aged 4-12, seven days a week, 10:00 – 18:00, multilingual supervisors (upon request).
  • Entertainment activities, Mini Buffet at the Mini Club “ALDY”, including a selection of sponge cakes, sandwiches, juices, water, one ice cream per child, children’s play area and mini restaurant.
News

Respite service launched

Leave a comment
Clinical Lead Debby Varnam and Field Care Supervisor Suzanne Thomas

Sutton Coldfield new home for St Giles Hospice initiative

Sutton Coldfield is the home of a new respite service launched by St Giles Hospice to support carers.

The hospice has launched a new Enhanced Respite Service in the town to support carers and families who are looking after loved ones in the final year of their life.

The service, based at St Giles Hospice’s Supportive Care Centre in Lindridge Road, will have five healthcare assistants to help more than 450 patients in their homes each year.

It has been made possible by funding from the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, who have awarded the hospice a £98,298 grant to help finance its first year of operation.

The service, which is free-of-charge, was set up following a successful pilot scheme in Lichfield and is designed to improve respite care for patients in their last 12 months as well as improving the wellbeing of their carers by supporting them and offering them training where needed.

Debby Varnam, Clinical Lead of the Hospice at Home service at St Giles, said: “We recognise how difficult it can be to care for someone living with a terminal illness when the patient, their carers and their families are faced with a number of challenges – which is why we are here to help. 

“Many patients want to be cared for in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by their family, so our Enhanced Respite Service is designed to help them do just that. With the help of our experienced healthcare assistants, patients will be able to stay at home for longer than might previously have been possible. 

Debby Varnam at work

“I would like to thank the Trustees of the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for their kind and generous support to make it possible for us to launch this service at this difficult time. The Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on our income over the last 12 months as we have had to cancel our fundraising events and close our shops.”

The dedicated team will work closely with GPs, St Giles specialist community nurses, social services and other voluntary agencies. As well as weekly visits to enable carers to have a much needed rest and take a break, the Enhanced Respite Service gives them the resources, knowledge, skills and support they need to carry out their caring roles.

Debby added: “The grant award will have significant benefits by improving respite care for palliative patients, increasing the wellbeing of their carers and reducing the risks of them being unable to cope, and by reducing the number of unplanned hospital admissions.”

Tina Swani, CEO of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “The Enhanced Respite Service team will be a real benefit to patients and their families throughout Sutton Coldfield and we are delighted to be supporting this much-needed service.”

The service will complement the current St Giles Hospice at Home service, based at the Supportive Care Centre in Sutton Coldfield, which supports patients at the very end of their lives, and other community healthcare services. 

For more information about the service, please visit www.stgileshospice.com/respite

Motoring

BMW Coupe is a showstopper

Leave a comment

Pace, power and panache . . . and a controversial style

BMW M440i 

By Bill McCarthy

THERE is no doubt that BMW builds some striking looking cars, with this head-turning coupe arguably the sleekest and most stylish of the lot.

Recently revised, it combines the brutal power of the straight six petrol engine with mild hybrid technology, plus specially tailored design features.

It’s a showstopper, shod with 20-inch black alloys, encasing huge red brake callipers and sporting a feline-like silhouette, it never failed to attract attention whether parked on the drive or out on the road.

The stiffer chassis builds on technology from the latest 3 series and it also features a high quality interior with a raft of driver assistance technologies, cutting edge infotainment and a comprehensive package of safety features.

Longer and wider than the car it replaces, it has narrower A pillars, frameless windows and huge doors, with extreme care needed when opening in relatively confined spaces.

What does mark it out from other BMWs however is the reworked grille. The firm describes it as a ‘vertical kidney grille’ and says harks back to a previous generation of cars. It is much, much deeper, is split by the number plate, and barely resembles the iconic kidney shape and seems much more in tune with the deep grille seen on Audis.

‘The interior is a masterclass, with high quality materials and subtle ambient lighting’

Flanked by slim LED light clusters and deep airscoops, it is a controversial move for BMW purists, a couple of whom registered their disapproval with me. Less so with non-BMW owners, who admired the look.

 The rear end styling is also striking and incorporates slim, darkened full-LED rear lights, dual exhausts and a subtle M Sport spoiler.

Power comes from the three litre turbo-charged six-cylinder engine, which is now mated with a 48-volt mild hybrid system which adds a further 11bhp of on-demand power. 

Here recuperated energy can be supplied to supplement the 12V electrical system, like the stop/start, or used for generating additional drive power when fed back to the 48V starter-generator. When the car is accelerating, the generator is also able to offer the driver an electric boost effect.

Not that it particularly needs that 11bhp in acceleration terms, as the car rockets to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds, accompanied by the six-cylinder roar, much amplified by the twin tailpipes.

It generates 374bhp and a huge maximum torque of 500Nm. Brutal performance while still returning average fuel consumption of around 40mpg, truly impressive for such a powerful beast.

It is an engaging driving experience, either in full auto or using the shifter paddles behind the steering wheel to race though the eight-speed box. The six-pot burble is always in the background, even when just depressing the starter button, a reminder of the power under the bonnet.

The interior is a masterclass, a four-seater, although the rear two are cramped in 2+2 style, with limited headroom. It offers high quality materials and subtle ambient lighting.

M Sport models also include specific sport pedals, driver’s footrest and the powered red leather seats match contrasting dark soft touch finish, thick carpets and anthracite headlining.

This model also has multi-function M leather steering wheel and 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster display bearing the M logo and digital radio. Options included enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging, drive recorder and gesture control.

Central is the 10.3 touchscreen in the middle of the dash, with the central rotary iDrive on the console controlling infotainment, sat nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, 

In addition the BMW Connected Package Professional adds remote services and real time traffic information. 

On the road, the car is stunningly quick, throwing you back in your seat, but all that power requires the technology to keep it on the road and safe. It delivers this in spades, with the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system sending power to the wheels as required, while the stiffened body structure and suspension mountings give greater stability. The handling is peerless with the slip differential, adaptive suspension and active chassis keeping the car firmly planted while sweeing through tight bends and the beautifully weighted steering is direct and responsive.

Practicality is good with a large boot which has a capacity of 444 litres which is supplemented by a 40:20:40 split backrest, and a large central oddments bin.

Safety kit is comprehensive, with a full complement of airbags, including steering wheel bag, traction and stability control plus, plus lane change warning, crossing traffic warning, rear-end collision warning and speed limit information.

Te downside is that on BMWs you can spend a small fortune on optional extras that come as standard on some competitors. This model included eight grand’s worth of enhanced, safety, communication and extra comfort features, whacking the total price to nearly £62k. Question is, do you need them?

Factile

BMW M440i xDrive Coupe

Price: £52,100

Mechanical: 374bhp, 2,998, six cylinder petrol engine driving all wheels via eight speed Steptronic auto gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 4.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 39.8-41.5 

Insurance group: 40

CO2 emissions: 155-163g/km

BiK rating: 36%

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles

News

Suttonians urged to back business

Leave a comment

Gracehurch Centre safe say bosses as shops get ready to open

With the imminent reopening of non-essential retail, The Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield has worked hard to ensure visitors and staff feel safe ahead of their much anticipated and welcomed return to the centre.

The majority of stores at The Gracechurch Centre which were deemed non-essential during the last Covid-19 lockdown will be able to re-open from Monday 12th April following the latest easing of Government restrictions. 

To help support retailers, the Gracechurch Centre is encouraging residents of Sutton Coldfield to shop local and support their local businesses as they look to recover from impact of the pandemic. The team will be promoting offers and events throughout the next few months via its social media channels.

This will include the redressing of the centre to fit the ‘spring in bloom’ theme and welcoming back live music in Bishops Court at the weekend. Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of The Gracechurch Centre’s Concierge Crew, who will be ready to welcome back visitors and help guide them round the centre next week.

Angela Henderson Centre Manager of The Gracechurch Centre said: “We can’t wait for the return of customers to The Gracechurch Centre and would like to thank our fantastic team who have worked very hard to support our retailers during this challenging time. As lockdown restrictions start to ease, we urge people to shop local and visit the centre to help support their local retailers.

The Gracechurch Centre is following Government guidelines to keep staff and visitors safe, and the centre team has worked in partnership with retailers to develop detailed plans which include an enhanced cleaning regime, hand sanitiser stations posted throughout the centre, an increased customer service presence, and refreshed signage to help customers adhere to social distancing requirements.

Angela added: “A great deal of effort has gone into making The Gracechurch Centre a safe place for staff and customers. Everyone has a part to play in this, and we would ask all our customers to be respectful of others and always follow the latest Government guidelines as closely as possible when visiting the centre. We’d also like to thank those essential businesses who have supported the community throughout the lockdown.”

“We can’t wait to welcome you all back.”

To keep up to date with the latest updates and information on the opening times of retailers at The Gracechurch Centre, please visit the website or check out the social media channels.