Online Trademark Attorneys
Sausser Summers, PC
- Lower Cost
- Faster Process
- Experienced Trademark Attorneys
File a Trademark for $399 + $250 Government Filing Fee
Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands
If you're an entrepreneur, you know that protecting your intellectual property should be high on your list when it comes to safeguarding your company. However, as a successful business owner, you also know the steps and costs of filing a trademark in the U.K. can be expensive and arduous.
This conundrum can be even more overwhelming for new business owners who want to do everything possible to minimize the price of securing trademarks. They try to handle complicated tasks like trademark registration on their own, which can be a big mistake - especially when juggling the day-to-day tasks of running a business. You may be thinking, "But what about those set-it-and-forget-it services you can find online? All you have to do is plug in your info, and you're done." Using pre-made templates for trademark filing can be tempting, but doing so can leave you with inadequate protection and hurt you in the long run.
So, what is the easiest, most cost-effective route to consider that also minimizes legal risk? The truth is, before you spend money on an online filing service, it's best to consult with a trademark attorney working with clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands.
At Sausser Summers, PC, our experienced trademark attorneys can help you understand the trademark process step by step. We can even help with U.K. trademark filing, U.K. trademark responses, and U.K. trademark renewals at a price you can actually afford. That way, you can make an informed decision regarding your business without having to break the bank.
- Trademark Attorney Working With Clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands
- Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.K. Trademark Process
- Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Birmingham, WestMidlands?
- Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney
- Steps to Renew Your Trademark
- How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark
Sausser Summers, PC: Simplifying the U.K. Trademark Process
Hiring an attorney can be a daunting task, but at Sausser Summers, PC, our goal is to make the process as simple and seamless as possible for you. That's why we offer a straightforward checkout service. First, you choose your flat fee trademark service and fill out a short questionnaire. Then, we will contact you within 24 hours to discuss the details of our service. From there, one of our experienced trademark attorneys will get to work on your behalf.
Using a trademark attorney for filing in Birmingham, WestMidlands, can significantly increase your chances of a successful registration. The U.K. government recommends hiring a trademark attorney to help with your application, and our team of trademark lawyers is dedicated to meeting your needs. In fact, we help ensure your application is filed correctly the first time so you can get on with your life and avoid legal risks.
At Sausser Summers, PC, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and provide them with sound professional advice. We never offer incomplete services, such as simply filing for registration, because that would leave you open to legal risks. You can rely on us to handle your intellectual property matters, and our flat fee services can help protect your business in a simple, straightforward, and affordable way. It's really that simple.
In terms of filing a U.K. trademark, we provide an easy three-step process to protect your intellectual property:
1. You provide your trademark info to our team via an online form.
2. Our team performs a comprehensive trademark search. This search ensures that no other marks will prevent you from registering your trademark in the U.K. Once performed, we'll send you a legal opinion letter that details our findings.
3. Sausser Summers, PC, files your U.K. trademark application. We are then listed as your Attorney of Record on file. From there, we'll provide ongoing updates regarding the status of your trademark as it works through the registration process.
The bottom line? At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
The bottom line?
At Sausser Summers, PC, we give both new and seasoned business owners an easy, efficient, cost-effective way to protect the one asset that sets them apart from others: their name.
Do I Really Need a Trademark Attorney for Protecting My Business in Birmingham, WestMidlands?
It's not necessary to be a lawyer in order to apply for a trademark. Anyone can submit a trademark application to the U.K. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). However, registering a trademark involves more than just filling out a form. It's essential to conduct thorough research, accurately identify and clearly explain your trademark to ensure it receives adequate protection. And even after securing a trademark, you've got to monitor it consistently to make sure it's free from infringement.
The big takeaway here is that it's always a good idea to work with a trademark attorney to protect the intellectual property that you've worked so hard to establish. According to the Wall Street Journal, applicants are approximately 50% more likely to secure their trademark than people who file applications on their own. If your trademark application is rejected by the USPTO, you will need to revise and refile it, incurring additional filing fees. To avoid delays and extra costs, it is best to have a trademark lawyer help you get it right the first time.
Call
us (843) 654-0078Additional Benefits of Using a Trademark Attorney
Great trademark attorneys (like those you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC) will help with every step of filing and enforcing your trademark. Some additional benefits include the following:
Check to see if your proposed trademark is registered by another entity.
Conduct research to see if another business is using the trademark for which you're applying.
Provide advice and guidance on the strength of your trademark.
Draft and submit your trademark applications and application revisions.
Advice and guidance regarding trademark maintenance and protection.
Monitor the market for unauthorized use of your trademark.
Trademark enforcement to protect you against infringement.
Curious whether our trademark attorney services are right for you and your business? Contact Sausser Summer, PC, today. Let's talk about what you need, and how we can help.
What About Online Filing Services?
Online services, can provide you with basic assistance in filing your trademark. However, they will never be a legitimate substitute for an experienced trademark attorney helping clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands.
Although online filing services offer a step-by-step process, they take a one-size-fits-all approach to preparing legal documents. Even their advanced service only provides basic attorney assistance in completing your paperwork and helping with minor roadblocks. Online filing services' disclaimer highlights the many limitations of its services, including the fact that communications are not protected by attorney-client privilege. In addition, online filing services cannot provide advice, explanations, opinions, recommendations, or any kind of legal guidance on possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms or strategies.
In other words, online filing services can offer you the necessary forms and point you in the right direction, but they cannot customize their services to your specific needs or help you with serious complications that may arise.
For the most comprehensive trademark service and protection, it's always wise to work with highly rated trademark lawyers, like you'll find at Sausser Summers, PC.
Understanding Trademarks Over Time
Trademarks in the U.K. can last indefinitely, but did you know that clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands can file a trademark online, only to lose protection in some circumstances? Trademarks differ from patents and copyrights in that they do not have an expiration date. However, to prevent the cancellation of a trademark, you must maintain it. To ensure that your trademark remains protected, you must actively use it in commerce and renew it with the USPTO every ten years.
The Lanham Act tells us that "use in commerce" is the legitimate use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade. In other words, you cannot register a trademark solely to reserve the rights to it in the future. In most cases, a trademark must be used continuously in connection with the goods or services it is registered for.
Steps to Renew Your Trademark
Trademarks are registered with the USPTO and generally need to be renewed every ten years. However, there is one crucial exception that you should be aware of. Within the first ten years of owning a trademark, you must file for renewal between the fifth and sixth year from the date of your initial registration.
During this renewal period, you are required to submit a Section 8 declaration, a specimen that shows how the mark is being used, and pay the required fee. You can also apply for Section 15 Incontestability status, which can strengthen your trademark rights. This application, although not mandatory, can make it harder for others to challenge your ownership of the mark.
After the first renewal, which falls between the fifth and sixth year of ownership, the next renewal filing is due between the ninth and tenth year, and then every tenth year thereafter. In the ninth year you will need to file a Section 8 declaration, attesting to your use of the mark or excusable nonuse. You've also got to file a Section 9 renewal application before the end of the tenth year to keep your registration active.
It is worth noting that the USPTO provides a six-month grace period if you fail to renew your mark within the required time frame, but it is best not to rely on it. If you don't file within the grace period time limits, the USPTO will cancel and expire your mark.
By hiring trademark attorneys helping clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands, you can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that can arise and cause you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it.
Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Abandonment
In the event that you stop using your trademark and have no plans to resume using it in commerce, it may be considered abandoned by the USPTO. This could result in the loss of your protective rights to the mark. Typically, a trademark is assumed to be abandoned if it has not been used for three years. However, you may be able to refute this presumption by providing evidence that you intend to use the mark again in the future.
Losing Your Trademark Rights Through Inappropriate Licensing
In addition to trademark abandonment, you should also be wary of improper licensing. It's important to remember that once you allow someone else to use your trademark, you must keep an eye on how they use it. You should monitor the products or services that feature your trademark to ensure that they meet consumers' expectations in terms of quality. Failure to do so can lead to a "naked" trademark license and the loss of your protective trademark rights.
How to Avoid Having to Refile Your Trademark
If you're wondering how you can avoid refiling your trademark, the answer is simple: file it correctly the first time around. Filing a trademark isn't inherently difficult, but when doing so, it's very important that certain aspects are filled out accurately in your application. If any information is missing or incorrect, the trademark application may be considered "void ab initio" or void from the beginning, requiring you to file again.
To avoid this, make sure that the information you provide in the application is accurate and complete, including the ownership of the trademark. For instance, if a corporation has multiple shareholders, it should not file under the President's personal name. The rightful owner should be the one/entity that ultimately controls the trademark and the associated goods/services.
It is also important to ensure that the goods and/or services description is precise. For example, if you sell electronic products, you should not file for research and development services despite having a research and development department. The goods/services description should reflect the goods/services you offer to customers, not the departments within your business.
Additionally, providing accurate dates of first use when filing for a trademark is crucial. The USPTO requires two dates to be specified - the date of first use anywhere and the date of first use in interstate commerce. Contact our trademark law office today to learn more about having accurate dates on your filing paperwork.
What Makes an Online Trademark Attorney Great?
At Sausser Summers, PC, we often get questions about how to distinguish run-of-the-mill consultants and others from great trademark attorneys. After all - when you're looking for an attorney to file or prosecute your business trademark, you should know their qualifications. Here are three ways you can separate the proverbial wheat from the chaff when it comes to trademark attorneys.
It's crucial to seek legal advice from a licensed trademark lawyer rather than relying on advice from non-professionals like trademark consultants. The USPTO even recommends hiring an attorney to help with the trademark process. Although trademark consultants may provide advice on trademark availability or name marketability, they cannot file the trademark for you or offer legal advice. According to the Rules of Practicing in trademark cases, "Individuals who are not attorneys are not recognized to practice before the Office in trademark matters." This rule applies to individuals who assist trademark applicants.
When searching for a trademark attorney, it's important to find someone with a strong background in trademark law. Look for an attorney who specializes in this area and has significant experience handling trademark-related cases. Avoid lawyers who don't have expertise in this field, as they may not be able to provide the guidance and support you need.
Ensure your attorney provides updates throughout the trademark registration process to avoid missing deadlines, including responding to any Office actions within six months. Failure to do so can result in trademark abandonment. The USPTO will only correspond with the listed attorney of record, so make sure your attorney keeps you informed.
In summary:
- Be sure you're using a licensed trademark attorney helping clients in Birmingham, WestMidlands.
- It's best to work with a trademark lawyer who has years of experience filing trademarks.
- Ensure that your trademark lawyer is willing to provide ongoing notifications relating to your trademark application process.
Trademark Attorneys Working Hard for You
Building your brand and gaining recognition for it is a significant achievement, and it's important to protect it. However, there are certain pitfalls and mistakes that can arise, causing you to lose your rights to the mark that represents it. By working with knowledgeable trademark attorneys, you can avoid these issues and file your trademark successfully.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Sausser Summers, PC, offers comprehensive guidance, strategic advice, and reliable representation for a variety of trademark matters. Our attorneys have years of real-world experience and, having registered countless trademarks with the USPTO, provide our clients with individualized representation when they need it most.
If you're looking for skilled, adept, and experienced counsel, look no further than our trademark law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you safeguard your brand.
Latest News Near Me Birmingham, WestMidlands
Historic West Midlands site recognised for its 'truly exemplary' restoration project in key award
Mimi Ibrahimhttps://www.birminghamworld.uk/lifestyle/wightwick-manor-conservation-award-win-5597031
The restoration of Wightwick Manor, a Grade I listed Arts & Crafts jewel, has been recognised with a prestigious conservation award.The Victorian Society’s Birmingham & West Midlands Group has announced its eleventh annual Conservation Award made to the National Trust for their project at Wightwick Manor.The winner was announced, at a ceremony at 12 midday on Saturday 14th February 2026.The 2025 award recognises the conservation of Grade I Wightwick Manor owned by the National Trust. The house is one of Eng...
The restoration of Wightwick Manor, a Grade I listed Arts & Crafts jewel, has been recognised with a prestigious conservation award.
The Victorian Society’s Birmingham & West Midlands Group has announced its eleventh annual Conservation Award made to the National Trust for their project at Wightwick Manor.
The winner was announced, at a ceremony at 12 midday on Saturday 14th February 2026.
The 2025 award recognises the conservation of Grade I Wightwick Manor owned by the National Trust. The house is one of England’s most complete surviving examples of a late Victorian Arts & Crafts domestic architecture.
Built in 1887, and extended in 1893, the manor house was designed by Midlands architect Edward Ould for Theodore and Flora Mander.
Before the conservation began, several areas of Wightwick Manor were showing the effects of age, weathering and earlier repairs. Parts of the timber frame and external plaster had begun to fail, with decay and movement that required investigation. Some of the historic rainwater goods were no longer performing well, leading to damp issues in a few places.
Sections of the building's exterior were vulnerable and needed intervention to prevent further deterioration. A pre-project survey confirmed that without attention, these issues would continue to compromise both the fabric of the building and the long term preservation of its nationally significant interiors.
Stephen Hartland, Regional Chairman, West Midlands Group of the Victorian Society, said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Wightwick Manor has been selected as the winner of the Victorian Society Birmingham & West Midlands Conservation Award. The judging panel was unanimous in its decision, reflecting the exceptionally high regard in which this project was held. From the outset, it was clear that the work demonstrated an outstanding commitment to conservation principles, underpinned by a deep understanding of the building’s history and significance. The quality of craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout set this project apart as truly exemplary.”
Rachael Parry, Building Surveyor and Project Manager of ‘The Big MEND’, National Trust said:
“The team is thrilled to receive this recognition for what has been a truly collaborative and rewarding project. The achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of so many people – from the Arts Council for their vital funding support, to our highly skilled conservation contractors and knowledgeable architect, and our experienced, passionate staff and volunteers.”
Full list of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches to close including ten in West Midlands
Nick Hornerhttps://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/full-list-lloyds-halifax-bank-33420863
Some 95 Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches are set to close nationwide with 10 of those in the West MidlandsA banking group has announced a swathe of branch closures across the country - including a number in the West Midlands.Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is set to shut some 95 branches including ten in the West Midlands.Five are in Birmingham, four Lloyds outlets in Blackheath, Bordesley Green, Kingstanding and Maypole and a Halifax in Sutton Coldfie...
Some 95 Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches are set to close nationwide with 10 of those in the West Midlands
A banking group has announced a swathe of branch closures across the country - including a number in the West Midlands.
Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is set to shut some 95 branches including ten in the West Midlands.
Five are in Birmingham, four Lloyds outlets in Blackheath, Bordesley Green, Kingstanding and Maypole and a Halifax in Sutton Coldfield.
Read more: Lloyds, Natwest and Santander closing 244 locations in 2026 and 2027 - full list
Five more branches in the group are also set to shut - a Lloyds in Kingswinford in Dudley, one in Wednesbury, another in Uttoxeter and a fourth in Wolverhampton Tettenhall.
A Halifax branch is also going in Halesowen, also in Dudley borough.
The firm also announced the closing dates with most set to shut in June.
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The Lloyds group said it was consolidating its network. It said: “We continue to see a fall in visits to our branches which means between May 2026 and March 2027, Lloyds Banking Group will be closing 95 branches – 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax and 11 Bank of Scotland.
“All colleagues who work at these branches will be offered a role at another branch or in another part of our business.”
The 95 closures are in addition to 49 previously announced branch closures which are set to go by October.
READ MORE: Millions urged to switch banks as Lloyds and Santander shut hundreds of branches
A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer more choice and ways to manage money than ever before.
“From our leading apps and 24/7 messaging service to local banking options like our Community Bankers, PayPoint and access to all of our Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, we're giving our customers the flexibility to bank wherever and whenever they need us.”
It said it has: “Opened up our branches to all our customers, so any Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland customer can use any of our branches, no matter which brand they bank with.”
It also said it has more than 170 Community Bankers ‘working in the heart of local neighbourhoods and we offer banking at the Post Office and Banking Hubs, across the country’.
It said it was introducing Community Bankers in Coalville, Goole, Haddington, Kelso, Lymington and Uttoxeter.
And LINK has recommended a Banking Hub in 14 locations: Armthorpe, Clevedon, Didcot, Ebbw Vale, Heswell, Hinckley, Honiton, Longton, Mexborough, Newmarket, Ringwood, Skelmersdale, Street and Wednesbury.
The Lloyds spokesperson added: “We’ve invested in making it easier for those who choose to use cash, with customers able to visit over 30,000 PayPoint locations to pay in money. 99.5% of people in the UK live within a mile of one of these spots.
“Today we’re the UK’s largest digital bank, having launched our first online service in 1998 and our first mobile app in 2011.
“More than 21 million customers choose and use our apps as their main way to bank, logging in over 6 billion times a year – to pay in cheques, manage subscriptions, check their credit score or speak to us directly.”
When the cull is complete, Lloyds will have 610 branches with 306 Lloyds, 238 Halifax and 66 Bank of Scotland outlets.
Brand
Branch Name
Closure Date
Lloyds
Aberdare
23/06/2026
Lloyds
Altrincham
09/06/2026
Lloyds
Birkenhead
08/06/2026
Lloyds
Birmingham Blackheath
10/06/2026
Lloyds
Birmingham Bordesley Green
16/06/2026
Lloyds
Birmingham Kingstanding
03/06/2026
Lloyds
Birmingham Maypole
04/06/2026
Lloyds
Bournemouth
28/05/2026
Lloyds
Bristol Fishponds
06/08/2026
Lloyds
Camberwell Green
22/06/2026
Lloyds
Cardiff Victoria Park
03/06/2026
Lloyds
Cheapside
01/06/2026
Lloyds
Clevedon
15/03/2027*
Lloyds
Coalville
23/06/2026
Lloyds
Crowborough
09/06/2026
Lloyds
Daventry
03/08/2026
Lloyds
Didcot
24/06/2026*
Lloyds
Ebbw Vale
15/03/2027*
Lloyds
Golders Green
08/06/2026
Lloyds
Heswall
23/06/2026*
Lloyds
Hinckley
10/06/2026*
Lloyds
Hoddesdon
22/06/2026
Lloyds
Honiton
16/03/2027*
Lloyds
Horncastle
10/08/2026
Lloyds
Hull, Ings Rd
15/06/2026
Lloyds
Kingswinford
22/06/2026
Lloyds
Lancaster
09/06/2026
Lloyds
Llangefni
16/06/2026
Lloyds
London Bridge
03/06/2026
Lloyds
London Oxford Street 113-117
27/05/2026
Lloyds
London Tottenham Court Rd
27/05/2026
Lloyds
London Victoria
27/05/2026
Lloyds
Longton
17/03/2027*
Lloyds
Lymington
08/06/2026
Lloyds
Moreton-in-Marsh
15/06/2026
Lloyds
Newmarket
24/06/2026*
Lloyds
Norwich Aylsham Rd
02/06/2026
Lloyds
Redhill
28/05/2026
Lloyds
Ringwood
23/06/2026*
Lloyds
Sevenoaks
18/06/2026
Lloyds
South Newington
10/06/2026
Lloyds
Southam
09/06/2026
Lloyds
Staines
01/06/2026
Lloyds
Streatham
28/05/2026
Lloyds
Street
15/03/2027*
Lloyds
Swansea Enterprise Park
02/07/2026
Lloyds
Tewkesbury
17/06/2026
Lloyds
Uttoxeter
18/06/2026
Lloyds
Wareham
16/06/2026
Lloyds
Wednesbury
16/03/2027*
Lloyds
West Byfleet
01/06/2026
Lloyds
Wolverhampton Tettenhall
11/06/2026
Lloyds
Woodley
17/06/2026
Halifax
Armthorpe
17/03/2027*
Halifax
Ashington
03/06/2026
Halifax
Ashton-under-Lyne
01/06/2026
Halifax
Beeston
04/06/2026
Halifax
Billingham
04/06/2026
Halifax
Bognor Regis
15/06/2026
Halifax
Bramley (W Yorkshire)
15/06/2026
Halifax
Bridgend
11/06/2026
Halifax
Cardiff Albany Road
11/06/2026
Halifax
Chichester
01/06/2026
Halifax
Chorley
24/06/2026
Halifax
Croydon City
25/06/2026
Halifax
Cwmbran
02/06/2026
Halifax
Didsbury
10/06/2026
Halifax
Ellesmere Port
08/06/2026
Halifax
Goole
17/06/2026
Halifax
Greenford
16/06/2026
Halifax
Halesowen
17/06/2026
Halifax
Hammersmith
28/05/2026
Halifax
Horsham
02/06/2026
Halifax
Hunts Cross
08/06/2026
Halifax
Islington Upper St
27/05/2026
Halifax
Mexborough
15/03/2027*
Halifax
Shipley
09/06/2026
Halifax
Skelmersdale
27/05/2026*
Halifax
Southgate
02/06/2026
Halifax
Surrey Quays Shop Ctr
02/06/2026
Halifax
Sutton Coldfield
03/06/2026
Halifax
Thornaby
17/06/2026
Halifax
Torquay
09/07/2026
Halifax
West Bridgford
16/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Benbecula
01/07/2026
Bank of Scotland
Blairgowrie
18/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Bridge Of Don
10/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Broughty Ferry
15/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Garrowhill
04/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Haddington
11/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Kelso
18/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Lochgilphead
22/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Penicuik
04/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Rutherglen
11/06/2026
Bank of Scotland
Stonehaven
18/06/2026
*LINK has recommended a Banking Hub at the starred locations location. Lloyds Banking group has said it will keep a branch open until any industry-recommended solution is delivered by Cash Access UK so those closure dates are subject to change.
Cars could be banned from Birmingham streets at key times in 'Paris' plan
Gurdip Thandihttps://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/cars-could-banned-birmingham-streets-33377389
The Kids Streets initiative will look to encourage children to walk or use public transport to get to schoolA major project to give parents the confidence and peace of mind to allow their children to safely walk to West Midlands schools is set to be launched.West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston and Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald will deliver 'Kids Streets' with pilots expecting to emerge in the coming months.The aim of the scheme is to encourage healthier modes of travel...
The Kids Streets initiative will look to encourage children to walk or use public transport to get to school
A major project to give parents the confidence and peace of mind to allow their children to safely walk to West Midlands schools is set to be launched.
West Midlands Active Travel Commissioner Beccy Marston and Road Safety Commissioner Mat MacDonald will deliver 'Kids Streets' with pilots expecting to emerge in the coming months.
The aim of the scheme is to encourage healthier modes of travel by youngsters, improve road safety and slash congestion at peak times.
The plan could see cars banned from streets around schools at drop-off and pick up times.
Both Beccy and Mat said there were further benefits to be enjoyed for parents such saving money on fuel and freeing up time for themselves instead of spending time on the road.
Some of the measures that could come in through Kids Streets include restricting vehicle movements on roads around schools at the start and end of days or putting in new crossings.
Utilising new powers to tackle the widespread issue of pavement parking could also play a major role in the initiative.
Beccy said: "We hopefully will be piloting something, some concept designs for that in the next couple of months. We're starting off looking at Birmingham and potentially Coventry.
"It's still early doors but generally the idea is bringing together infrastructure investment with behaviour change support.
"We do lots of great stuff but it's often quite disparate and we can't measure impact on a regional level very well.
"We're bringing in partners such as Sport England, public health and environment teams and saying 'look, we've got this approach where we want to look at children's health and wellbeing, their road safety and parents' time'.
"If we can make parents comfortable in allowing their children to be able to travel to school independently rather than being ferried around in the car, that frees up not only a trip on the network but many more opportunities.
"If you're comfortable with your child getting to school independently, are you comfortable with them getting to a sports club, the park, their friends house?
"When you multiply those trip generators, if we can make the infrastructure safe for parents to be comfortable that's a massive win in us turning the tide on car use.
"The number one thing why people say they don't walk, wheel or cycle is they don't feel safe, so if we can do something about that, it's a win-win for people."
Mat added: "We are really excited to bring this forward in the next year where we are hoping to have some spades in the ground by the end of the year.
"We've been really inspired by the Parisian model of School Streets where there are permanent infrastructure changes to the streets outside places of education that create people first spaces.
"Hundreds of them have been rolled out and it's made a real difference in terms of the safety of children, their ability to travel individually but also the sense of ownership the wider community has over public spaces in the areas they call home.
"There are so many positive impacts that will arise from getting our streets right. They are the building blocks of our communities.
"They are a reflection of our priorities as well. Streets that are safe for our children to walk, wheel and cycle will be safe for adults and be far happier, healthier and sustainable places.
"Until we create an environment where our children can be safe, our work is incomplete.
"That's why Beccy and I have made children our main focus. We will continue to work as hard as we can to ensure they are safe."
Superdrug to open 30 new stores in 2026 following West Midlands closure
Hannah Ahmedhttps://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/superdrug-open-30-new-stores-33387297
The beauty chain has plans to create 600 jobs in the rolloutSuperdrug has announced plans to launch 30 new stores in the UK this year, following the news a West Midlands branch has already closed for good.The beauty chain, which has more than 780 shops nationwide, is looking to roll out 30 more branches this year, following "strong customer demand" in store, bosses said.It comes after the Superdrug branch on Dudley High Street closed down on January 31, with th...
The beauty chain has plans to create 600 jobs in the rollout
Superdrug has announced plans to launch 30 new stores in the UK this year, following the news a West Midlands branch has already closed for good.
The beauty chain, which has more than 780 shops nationwide, is looking to roll out 30 more branches this year, following "strong customer demand" in store, bosses said.
It comes after the Superdrug branch on Dudley High Street closed down on January 31, with the new Savers store earmarked for opening on February 12.
On the topic of the new openings, the high street brand said looking to the future it will particularly invest in “large-format destination stores and retail park locations."
Superdrug’s property director, Clare Jennings, said: “Superdrug continues to see strong demand for physical, experience-led retail, and our 2026 store opening programme is a clear vote of confidence in UK bricks and mortar retail.
“By opening 30 stores, we’re not just increasing our footprint, we’re creating destinations that bring together beauty, healthcare and affordable treatments under one roof.
“Our customers want more than convenience, they want expertise, products and services they can trust, delivered in welcoming spaces within their local communities.
“This investment allows us to bring bigger, better Superdrug stores to more locations across the UK, unlocking more access to healthcare, beauty products and treatments, while creating hundreds of new jobs and long-term career opportunities for our colleagues.”
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Reeves urges Unite to end Birmingham bin strikes during West Midlands visit
Hits Radio (Birmingham)https://hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/birmingham/news/reeves-urges-unite-to-end-birmingham-bin-strikes-during-west-midlands-visit
Chancellor says dispute is “not fair on people” as residents in Newtown battle persistent fly-tippingThe Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called on Unite to “put local people first” and call off Birmingham’s bin strikes, saying the ongoing disruption is unfair on residents.Speaking during a visit to the West Midlands in Wolverhampton, Reeves said she understood the frustration people in Birmingham are feeling as the dispute drags on.“I would say to the trade union, Unite, put local people ...
Chancellor says dispute is “not fair on people” as residents in Newtown battle persistent fly-tipping
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called on Unite to “put local people first” and call off Birmingham’s bin strikes, saying the ongoing disruption is unfair on residents.
Speaking during a visit to the West Midlands in Wolverhampton, Reeves said she understood the frustration people in Birmingham are feeling as the dispute drags on.
“I would say to the trade union, Unite, put local people first and call these strikes off,” she said. “They’re not happening in other parts of the country. It’s not fair on people in Birmingham – bring them to an end.”
When asked how similar service failures could be prevented in future, Reeves pointed to changes in how councils are funded. She said that after “14 years of Conservative government”, local authority funding had been cut and money “diverted from the poorest areas to better off parts of the country”.
She said a new “fair funding formula” is now directing money “to where it’s needed”, but warned the effects of past cuts could not be reversed quickly.
Rachel Reeves answering our questions on her latest visit to Wolverhampton
“We’re not able to turn around those 14 years in just 18 months, but already councils are seeing uplifts in their funding,” she said. “Those days of austerity are now past, we can start to rebuild public services both at a local level and a national level as well.”
Her comments come as some neighbourhoods report worsening problems with rubbish and fly-tipping.
Residents in parts of Birmingham say the impact on the ground is clear. In Newtown, locals describe certain roads as repeat dumping grounds. Walking through Melbourne Avenue, resident Sonya Anderson pointed out what she called one of the city’s worst fly-tipping hotspots.
“A lot of people know where localised hotspots are, and they turn up in the middle of the night and they dump rubbish,” she said. “This is one of the Melbourne Avenue hotspots, one of the major hotspots that they use as a dumping rat run.”
Although rubbish had been cleared earlier, debris remained scattered across the street, including wipes, nappies, vapes and dumped mattresses. Residents say much of the waste is being brought in from outside the area.
“One is in the driving seat and the other one is taking this stuff quickly to get it on the floor,” one local said. “They leave furniture, they leave fridge.”
Another resident said there was footage of people dumping waste, while one added that CCTV had captured a taxi driver fly-tipping.
While clean-ups do take place, residents say unless dumping from outside the neighbourhood is tackled, the mess will continue to return.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton said additional funding announced in the authority’s latest budget would strengthen efforts to deal with the problem.
"We’ve taken people to court, we’ve seized vehicles in the past,” he said. “The additional investment means that we will have more resource to be able to do more of that work, tackling the hot spots in the city.”
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