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Christian Barnett

Local Democracy Reporter covering Sandwell

January 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: New Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton granted alcohol licence

New Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton granted alcohol licence

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton Buddhist temple’s plans for new community hall rejected

Wolverhampton Buddhist temple’s plans for new community hall rejected

January 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Bromwich pub applies to re-open after 'horrifying' baton attack

West Bromwich pub applies to re-open after 'horrifying' baton attack

Supporting image for story: Flats plan for former Wolverhampton care home redrawn after criticism

Flats plan for former Wolverhampton care home redrawn after criticism

January 10, 2026

Supporting image for story: Delayed decision on whether Great Barr flats can stay after doctor's surgery demolished without permission

Delayed decision on whether Great Barr flats can stay after doctor's surgery demolished without permission

January 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: Wednesbury's £1million hilltop house will become children’s home as plans approved

Wednesbury's £1million hilltop house will become children’s home as plans approved

Supporting image for story: Plans for £20m new Oldbury primary school and 190 new homes take a step forward

Plans for £20m new Oldbury primary school and 190 new homes take a step forward

January 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: Ex-Wolves footballer made to wait by council as future of Wolverhampton wine bar hangs in the balance

Ex-Wolves footballer made to wait by council as future of Wolverhampton wine bar hangs in the balance

Supporting image for story: Former flagship M&S store in Wolverhampton will be turned into 70 flats as developers make a pledge to shoppers

Former flagship M&S store in Wolverhampton will be turned into 70 flats as developers make a pledge to shoppers

Supporting image for story: Former police training centre in Smethwick could become HMO under new plans

Former police training centre in Smethwick could become HMO under new plans

January 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: Police say ‘hive of illegal activity’ off-licence in West Bromwich should not be allowed to re-open

Police say ‘hive of illegal activity’ off-licence in West Bromwich should not be allowed to re-open

January 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Tividale HMO expansion plan recommended for approval after neighbour petition

Tividale HMO expansion plan recommended for approval after neighbour petition

January 1, 2026

Supporting image for story: Oldbury shop applies for a new licence after illegal goods found

Oldbury shop applies for a new licence after illegal goods found

December 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: Hearing will decide alcohol licence for new Lidl in Wolverhampton

Hearing will decide alcohol licence for new Lidl in Wolverhampton

December 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: The rise and fall of five Wolverhampton pubs - here's how our city's pubs were affected by national trade decline

The rise and fall of five Wolverhampton pubs - here's how our city's pubs were affected by national trade decline

December 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: Flats can be built on site of former Great Barr GP surgery that was demolished without permission

Flats can be built on site of former Great Barr GP surgery that was demolished without permission

Supporting image for story: Flats plan proposed for former Rowley Regis day centre site

Flats plan proposed for former Rowley Regis day centre site

Supporting image for story: Fire-damaged Smethwick shop will be replaced alongside new flats

Fire-damaged Smethwick shop will be replaced alongside new flats

Supporting image for story: The changing faces of seven Sandwell pubs - here's what's in store for renowned landmarks which have seen better days

The changing faces of seven Sandwell pubs - here's what's in store for renowned landmarks which have seen better days

December 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: Twelve 'affordable' flats planned opposite much-delayed Tipton metro stop

Twelve 'affordable' flats planned opposite much-delayed Tipton metro stop

December 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton wine bar owned by ex-Wolves player could lose licence - here's why

Wolverhampton wine bar owned by ex-Wolves player could lose licence - here's why

Supporting image for story: Plans to demolish most of Oldbury school for new teaching block

Plans to demolish most of Oldbury school for new teaching block

December 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Same bid to create ‘overcrowded’ HMO in Smethwick resubmitted after council rejection and almost 100 objections

Same bid to create ‘overcrowded’ HMO in Smethwick resubmitted after council rejection and almost 100 objections

December 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans for five-bed Smethwick HMO for 14 people redrawn after ‘cramped’ criticism

Plans for five-bed Smethwick HMO for 14 people redrawn after ‘cramped’ criticism

December 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Empty Wolverhampton city centre store to be transformed into new shops, hotel and gym

Empty Wolverhampton city centre store to be transformed into new shops, hotel and gym

December 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans to flatten and replace Wolverhampton's 'outdated' Lidl supermarket approved

Plans to flatten and replace Wolverhampton's 'outdated' Lidl supermarket approved

Supporting image for story: Bilston market stallholders offered two months free rent after delays to regeneration scheme

Bilston market stallholders offered two months free rent after delays to regeneration scheme

Supporting image for story: Changes to planned drive-thru next to West Bromwich Albion football ground

Changes to planned drive-thru next to West Bromwich Albion football ground

December 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Homes approved for ‘significantly contaminated’ former Wolverhampton battery factory

Homes approved for ‘significantly contaminated’ former Wolverhampton battery factory

December 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Sandwell pub stripped of licence over ‘horrific’ baton attack involving unauthorised bouncer

Sandwell pub stripped of licence over ‘horrific’ baton attack involving unauthorised bouncer

December 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: Ex-Wolves footballer’s controversial plea to keep his wine bar open later has been rejected - here's why

Ex-Wolves footballer’s controversial plea to keep his wine bar open later has been rejected - here's why

December 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans approved to convert 130-year-old Grade II listed Wolverhampton post office into supermarket

Plans approved to convert 130-year-old Grade II listed Wolverhampton post office into supermarket

December 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Specialist children's accommodation in Wolverhampton due to be demolished for affordable housing and a car park

Specialist children's accommodation in Wolverhampton due to be demolished for affordable housing and a car park

Supporting image for story: Walk held to ‘reclaim the night’ in Sandwell to stand against violence towards women

Walk held to ‘reclaim the night’ in Sandwell to stand against violence towards women

December 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton railway station advertising board deemed ‘bulky’ and ‘danger to pedestrians’

Wolverhampton railway station advertising board deemed ‘bulky’ and ‘danger to pedestrians’

December 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plans to convert 100-year-old Smethwick Conservative club into children’s home approved

Plans to convert 100-year-old Smethwick Conservative club into children’s home approved

Supporting image for story: Future of unauthorised Wednesbury car dealership in doubt after owner loses appeal

Future of unauthorised Wednesbury car dealership in doubt after owner loses appeal

December 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Bromwich pub could lose licence over violent incident involving bouncers who used 'weapon from behind the bar'

West Bromwich pub could lose licence over violent incident involving bouncers who used 'weapon from behind the bar'

Supporting image for story: Empty Oldbury pub turned 'anti-social behaviour focal point’ to be demolished

Empty Oldbury pub turned 'anti-social behaviour focal point’ to be demolished

December 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: Another bid to open a petrol station in an upmarket Wolverhampton village

Another bid to open a petrol station in an upmarket Wolverhampton village

Supporting image for story: Long-empty Wolverhampton pub site could be bought up by council to make way for housing

Long-empty Wolverhampton pub site could be bought up by council to make way for housing

December 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: Former Wolves footballer Mo Camara asks to extend Tettenhall wine bar’s opening hours

Former Wolves footballer Mo Camara asks to extend Tettenhall wine bar’s opening hours

December 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: 100-year-old former Smethwick working men's club will be turned into housing after parking concerns ignored

100-year-old former Smethwick working men's club will be turned into housing after parking concerns ignored

Supporting image for story: Plans for ‘mini’ service station next to M5 in West Bromwich approved

Plans for ‘mini’ service station next to M5 in West Bromwich approved

Supporting image for story: Plans to demolish empty Sandwell pub to make way for new shop rejected

Plans to demolish empty Sandwell pub to make way for new shop rejected

December 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Decision delayed on new children’s home plan for £1m landmark house in Wednesbury

Decision delayed on new children’s home plan for £1m landmark house in Wednesbury

November 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We wouldn’t put battery hens in places like this!' Outraged councillors reject ‘battery farm’ HMO plan for Smethwick high street

'We wouldn’t put battery hens in places like this!' Outraged councillors reject ‘battery farm’ HMO plan for Smethwick high street

November 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: New off-licence approved in Smethwick despite neighbour concerns

New off-licence approved in Smethwick despite neighbour concerns

Supporting image for story: £2.6m to be spent on Wolverhampton school expansion - creating 79 new places for pupils

£2.6m to be spent on Wolverhampton school expansion - creating 79 new places for pupils

November 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: New shop, takeaway and flats to replace demolished dilapidated Wolverhampton buildings

New shop, takeaway and flats to replace demolished dilapidated Wolverhampton buildings