Shoppers in Wolverhampton welcomed news that it will be handed £100,000 to boost retail trade – but said shopping guru Mary Portas has her work cut out to turn the city’s fortunes around.

When Tony Kirk found a cut-throat razor on a French battlefield he spotted that it stood out from the rest as the owner had carved his name into it.

A gang member has become the first in the region to be handed a full gang injunction, restricting his movements in Wolverhampton.

It has been a tough few years but businesses are finally enjoying a rebirth. Simon Penfold reports

After toughing out the recession, locks company Assa Abloy is growing again – and has now unveiled plans for a new £800,000 machine that will create eight jobs.

For former soldier Brian Genner, his memories of meeting the Queen remain vivid 50 years on. He talks to Adam Burling

Wolverhampton’s Wayne Jones could only muster one win from the latest runs of the PDC Players Championship in Crawley.

She is the Queen of Shops, soon to reign over Wolverhampton’s fortunes. ELIZABETH JOYCE looks at Mary Portas’ plan for the city

Wolverhampton today became one of 12 areas across the country to win £100,000 of investment and support from retail guru Mary Portas – but all other Black Country towns lost out.

Rival bidders today said they were bitterly disappointed at losing out in the Portas Pilot scheme, although regeneration bosses at Walsall and Dudley remained determined to plough ahead with plans.