birminghammail--2020-04-19--Car park to become transit site for travellers during lockdown

A temporary transit site for travellers to use during lockdown has been set up in Willenhall .
Walsall Council has announced that all unauthorised encampments in the borough will be directed to Wakes Ground car and lorry park from Monday ( April 20 ) .
Use of the Walsall Street site will be restricted solely to those who are asked to move onto it by the police or council officers .
A spokesman for the local authority said : `` Following government guidance issued on April 11 and liaison with West Midlands Police , a decision has been made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transit site at the Wakes car park in Willenhall .
`` The site will provide a place to which unauthorised encampments in the borough will be directed during the Covid-19 lockdown .
`` Current government restrictions on non-essential travel mean the council can not use the current legislation to evict those unauthorised encampments which set up on land in the borough .
`` All directed users will be given a notice outlining the terms under which they are permitted to stay .
This permission may be revoked at any time .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future and will be kept under review in line with government guidance on Covid-19 .
`` Importantly those who are directed there will have access to appropriate sanitation and washing facilities , as former sources of water are now not available .
`` By staying within a contained site , together with such sanitation and washing facilities , these measures will help prevent the spread of Covid-19 . ''

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A temporary transit site for travellers to use during lockdown has been set up in Willenhall.
Walsall Council has announced that all unauthorised encampments in the borough will be directed to Wakes Ground car and lorry park from Monday (April 20).
Use of the Walsall Street site will be restricted solely to those who are asked to move onto it by the police or council officers.
A spokesman for the local authority said: "Following government guidance issued on April 11 and liaison with West Midlands Police, a decision has been made by Walsall Council to set up a temporary transit site at the Wakes car park in Willenhall.
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"The site will provide a place to which unauthorised encampments in the borough will be directed during the Covid-19 lockdown.
"Current government restrictions on non-essential travel mean the council cannot use the current legislation to evict those unauthorised encampments which set up on land in the borough.
"All directed users will be given a notice outlining the terms under which they are permitted to stay. This permission may be revoked at any time.
"The facility will be accessible for the foreseeable future and will be kept under review in line with government guidance on Covid-19.
"Importantly those who are directed there will have access to appropriate sanitation and washing facilities, as former sources of water are now not available.
"By staying within a contained site, together with such sanitation and washing facilities, these measures will help prevent the spread of Covid-19."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Drug dealers 'stick out like sore thumb' on empty streets in lockdown

Drug dealers are standing out like a sore thumb as they try to keep peddling their trade on the deserted streets of lockdown Britain , say police .
And while the `` whack-a-mole '' task of tackling county lines never stops , police have found the coronavirus pandemic offers an unexpected `` opportunity '' to hit the drug trade .
Police are making `` far more arrests '' because drug dealers are drawing attention to themselves when they go outside , a senior officer says .
Speaking to the PA news agency , Detective Superintendent Jo Banks , from Sussex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug dealing has changed since lockdown was introduced .
She said : `` It 's an ever-changing world and one of our biggest challenges has always been that the people behind county lines are really quick to change that business model .
`` The demand for drugs has n't changed but how the drugs networks are operating has changed .
`` It 's become more difficult for them to keep to their normal business model . ''
On the street , this has led to a decrease in availability of drugs and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get hold of , she said .
The rail network - normally a key part of the county lines business model - is now being avoided in favour of the roads .
As a result , Sussex Police are out patrolling roads in the hunt for drug dealers using them to peddle their deadly products .
Last weekend , officers found £23,000 of cannabis and several thousand pounds of cash at a flat in Bexhill , East Sussex .
Two men , aged 22 and 21 - and a woman aged 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply , and money laundering .
Addressing the changes since the Covid-19 lockdown was put in place on March 23 , Det Sup Banks said : `` It 's afforded us an opportunity to do more of the disruption because they do stand out .
`` When you look out at our streets their activity is drawing attention .
`` We are actually making far more arrests and working still with our partners to be able to do that . ''
There has also been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking over the homes of vulnerable people - due to the lockdown , Det Sup Banks said .
She added : `` One of the things I am keen on is we still get on to those vulnerable people now .
`` We need to consider how we can use this time now to stop them being vulnerable once the lockdown ends . ''
Anyone who suspects a person in their community could be vulnerable in this way should contact police , social services or Crimestoppers , Det Sup Banks said .

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Drug dealers are standing out like a sore thumb as they try to keep peddling their trade on the deserted streets of lockdown Britain, say police.
And while the "whack-a-mole" task of tackling county lines never stops, police have found the coronavirus pandemic offers an unexpected "opportunity" to hit the drug trade.
Police are making "far more arrests" because drug dealers are drawing attention to themselves when they go outside, a senior officer says.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Detective Superintendent Jo Banks, from Sussex Police, spoke about how county lines drug dealing has changed since lockdown was introduced.
(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)
She said: "It's an ever-changing world and one of our biggest challenges has always been that the people behind county lines are really quick to change that business model.
"The demand for drugs hasn't changed but how the drugs networks are operating has changed.
"It's become more difficult for them to keep to their normal business model."
On the street, this has led to a decrease in availability of drugs and a reduction in the purity of what users can get hold of, she said.
The rail network - normally a key part of the county lines business model - is now being avoided in favour of the roads.
As a result, Sussex Police are out patrolling roads in the hunt for drug dealers using them to peddle their deadly products.
Last weekend, officers found £23,000 of cannabis and several thousand pounds of cash at a flat in Bexhill, East Sussex.
Two men, aged 22 and 21 - and a woman aged 21, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply, and money laundering.
Addressing the changes since the Covid-19 lockdown was put in place on March 23, Det Sup Banks said: "It's afforded us an opportunity to do more of the disruption because they do stand out.
"When you look out at our streets their activity is drawing attention.
"We are actually making far more arrests and working still with our partners to be able to do that."
There has also been a reduction in "cuckooing" - dealers taking over the homes of vulnerable people - due to the lockdown, Det Sup Banks said.
She added: "One of the things I am keen on is we still get on to those vulnerable people now.
"We need to consider how we can use this time now to stop them being vulnerable once the lockdown ends."
Anyone who suspects a person in their community could be vulnerable in this way should contact police, social services or Crimestoppers, Det Sup Banks said.


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Library of Birmingham and other great holes in the city

Library of Birmingham and other great holes in the city It 's ten years since we took these 2010 pictures @ @ @ @ @ Library of Birmingham - which prompted a search of our archives for some more great @ @ @ @ @ have been dug this century

Library of Birmingham and other great holes in the city
It's ten years since we took these 2010 pictures of the foundations for the Library of Birmingham - which prompted a search of our archives for some more great holes in the city that have been dug this century
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birminghammail--2020-04-19--Amazing pictures of Brum's biggest holes showcase 20 years of building work

Whoever coined Birmingham 's motto 'Forward ' in 1838 really hit the nail on the head .
We 've been hammering away ever since and the city of perpetual motion and ingenuity has never stood still .
But the truth is that in order to take one more step forward it sometimes seems like we have to take two steps back first before moving on again .
For example - after we opened the Bull Ring in 1964 , we then demolished it , dug an even bigger hole and voila , the new Bullring opened in 2003 .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very simple : Dig hole .
Build .
Demolish .
Repeat ( once every 40 years for maximum impact ) .
Take our pictures of work to build the foundations for the Library of Birmingham .
They were taken ten years ago on April 23 , 2010 - William Shakespeare 's 394th birthday date , no less .
One of his plays was called All 's Well That Ends Well .
But the trouble with Brum is that its building work never actually seems to end .
Looking at this main picture above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a 2020 shot of workers peering over the fence and saying : 'Who 's nicked the Library of Birmingham ? '
.
And that 's because although the future Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai opened the library on September 3 , 2013 following five years ' of construction work , the wider area has been under siege by builders virtually ever since .
So now , when you look back at his gaping hole , it 's as if every project is beginning to merge in with the others .
Everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and barriers and , of course , holes as if we have been under a weird kind of builders ' lockdown for two decades since the turn of the century .
If you are 40 years old , that 's half a lifetime of disruption !
So step in to our time machine below ready to join our irreverent tour of the 'holey city of Birmingham ' .
And see if you agree with our ratings for best holes ... Our pictures in the photo story above were taken on April 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Centenary Square was being excavated to make way for what would become the below ground level children 's library .
Piling work was ongoing and the handy ground level car park that used to be in between the Rep Theatre and the former Central Library was no more .
Once the library was built at a cost of £188 million it was too expensive for the city council to run So staff were lost and hours were slashed - but it remains a great tourist attraction with several viewing points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opens before 11am .
It has also fallen victim to the now month-long coronavirus pandemic lockdown , too .
This picture above was taken on May 18 , 2001 - and yet just 28 months later the entire new Bullring was finished .
Incredible .
So this one shot alone might make you wonder why it takes about four years to build every mile of tram track through Birmingham city centre .
But before we get on to that , you will note that the Birmingham Wholesale Market is still visible here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018/19 .
For now at least , the Bull Ring Market and Rag Market ( both to the right of St Martin 's Church ) are still there .
In this second picture , taken from the top of the Rotunda , you can see how the world is n't always how we think it is .
While St Martin in the Bull Ring used to be jet black from pollution , it was also surrounded by a ring of trees !
If you visit it the next time you are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will see that its stonework on the Bullring side has turned very green without the trees to shield it .
Workers on this project had to be especially brave .
Not only did the hole seem to be deep enough to warrant an armed guard in case a live dinosaur was found , but there was another threat to life too .
What made this hole so special is that it was dug right next to the city 's central canal system .
One wrong move and ... whoosh !
The construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
Like the 2018 HSBC HQ on Broad Street ( see below ) , the building was designed by city-born architect Ken Shuttleworth who wanted it to symbolise Birmingham 's industrial heritage , inside out and out .
By my reckoning , it has n't won the hearts of Brummies yet .
We 'll know for sure in 30 years time , when the next generation will have decided by then whether it wants to replace it with something else .
For now , its design is certainly breathtakingly original , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside for the majority of the year .
If you go there , do n't miss the brilliant public artwork by West Midlands ' artist Temper Or the view from the top near to Marco Pierre White 's restaurant .
When you look towards the Library of Birmingham , you will see the building literally falling away from you .
Now that 's genius - what a shame that James Bond has n't latched on to it for a stunt .
The West Midlands Metro tram line from Wolverhampton to Snow Hill opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extend the West Midlands Metro by just 0.7 miles from Snow Hill to Stephenson Street began in 2012 and would take four years .
The project cost £128 million and its construction proceeded at the rate of 32 inches per day .
Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne performed the official opening in Corporation Street on May 26 , 2016 .
As you can see from the above picture in 2014 , the hole for the extension was n't very deep .
But the trenches were long in distance and even longer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corporation Street clearly suffered as a result .
Phase one of the new Westside Extension from Stephenson Street to Centenary Square was costed at £65.8 million for some 650 metres ( 0.4 miles ) of track .
Services began running on the line on December 11 , 2019 after 912 days of work .
The predicted cost from Grand Central to Five Ways is set to be £149 million on top of the £128 million for Snow Hill to Grand Central .
Total for the whole route from Snow Hill to 54 Hagley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work digging lots holes .
Phase Two of the West Midlands Metro 's extension has seen much of Broad Street being turned into another series of long and mostly shallow excavations .
Work has been ongoing for more than a year to transform one of the city 's busiest routes into a tram track fit for the 21st century .
The street was hit by a major water leak on September 26 , 2019 Restaurants , bars , shops and offices in the area were all affected by the incident , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ v USA match at the Rugby World Cup in Japan .
After a very wet autumn and winter , there were three significant storms in February , 2020 - Ciara , Dennis and Jorge .
They were followed by a smaller leak on April 14 , 2020 just a week after work had resumed following a two-week lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
For one day only , it made the street look like a 50 metre swimming pool was being build for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games .
This Phase Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) long and cost an estimated £83.4 million .
But services are not expected to reach the Hagley Road side of Five Ways until late 2021 .
Such is our familiarity with holes in Birmingham that a major project down New Street has already probably been forgotten .
That 's partly because the beauty of the early 1990s block paving along New Street is that it has been relentlessly dug up for years and then been relaid generally very well .
Construction workers currently remodelling Victoria Square today tell me the new granite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city for the Commonwealth Games in 2022 will be a lot harder to dig up and to replace .
But as this hole shows , in 2014 the whole of New Street from top to bottom was dug up for a new heat supply system to be installed .
The ladder in the above picture illustrates how deep the hole was outside of what was then Waterstones at the corner of New Street and Stephenson Street so thank goodness all of the street 's trees somehow survived the upheaval .
Two years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former bank turned bookshop - became a new , flagship Apple store Because of the Covid-19 pandemic , Apple closed all of its stores outside of China from March 13 2020 'until March 27 ' , including this one .
They remain closed in the UK after the government announced its own lockdown on March 23 .
Work to replace the Pallasades shopping centre above New Street Station began on September 1 , 2009 .
Six years later , Grand Central opened on September 24 , 2015 It was n't a hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still on top of the station ( which many have likened to a 'black hole ' over the years ) .
But Grand Central 's all-white , ultra-bright atrium , once revealed , had a wow factor .
Probably because it was the very opposite of a hole .
Here 's another quirky one - the former shopping centre that became a hole that was n't .
The Pavilions shopping centre had closed for good after 29 years on May 20 , 2016 .
On November 16 , 2017 , we took this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprehensive redevelopment .
Instead of demolishing the lot and starting from scratch , workers took The Pallasades right back to its original girders ready to create 'the world 's biggest Primark ' which opened four months later than planned - but to great acclaim - on April 11 , 2019 .
From this angle , the site looks like a big hole .
But , in truth , here was no hole .
Similarly , on April 11 , 2020 the opening day crowds of the year before also seemed like an illusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Madin 's Brutalist NatWest Tower on Colmore Row was opened in 1974 .
On September 20 , 2015 , a giant crane was installed ready to demolish it .
By the time the above picture was taken on February 3 , 2017 , workers were digging out ... you 've guesses it ... the hole .
Work to build the replacement 103 Colmore Row - the biggest office block under construction outside of London - began in the autumn of 2018 .
You can compare and contrast the NatWest Tower with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date before any long-term impact of the lockdown can be considered is around May to early summer , 2021 .
If it lasts as long as The NatWest tower , demolition crews will arrive in the autumn of 2062 .
Construction of the flagship Central Library started in April 1969 and was completed in December 1973 .
The Brutalist building opened on January 12 , 1974 and closed on June 29 , 2013 .
After months of preparation , demolition work on John Madin 's upside down ziggurat began in earnest on December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Adrian Boult Hall , Conservatoire , Fletchers Walk and Chamberlain House all being flattened in its wake , too .
As the above picture taken on January 4 , 2017 shows , the all-new Paradise is rising from the lower ground level up - The Cube-sized holes seem to have gone out of fashion .
The first two new buildings have been completed at One and Two Chamblerlain Square on the 17-acre site but the plan is to build another eight more .
It 's going to take years ... First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Symphony Hall , the block paving was deemed old hat once those five years of work had been completed on building the Library of Birmingham in between Baskerville House and the Birmingham Rep. Work to replace it began in spring 2017 and the all-new Centenary Square was declared open on July 3 , 2019 even though it remains unfinished even today .
It was also 50 per cent over budget at £16 million and a year behind schedule - once workers had to dig a bit deeper to install the shallow pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The square can not be totally completed until the foyer of Symphony Hall is rebuilt at the upper end - and that will take until at least September , 2020 .
The 9.2 acre site is replacing the former ITV Central studios where shows like Bullseye and Central Weekend used to be made .
Construction work was announced on September 7 , 2015 but because of where it is and with high fencing all the way round at ground level , the public generally missed the chance to appreciate its holey status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new address of 1 Centenary Square was the 11-storey , 210,000 sq ft HSBC UK HQ which has room for 2,500 employees .
It was officially occupied from November 2 , 2018 .
Once finished , the entire site is expected to include a landscaped public realm costing £10 million .
The disruption is endless and with plans for a Metro link to Digbeth having been approved for another four year build on top of the work to build HS2 from Park Street out , it seems if rebuilding will go on forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of such holes .
They illustrate the city 's never-ending determination to make a better life for ourselves .
The holes are a clear sign that we remain full of invention , determination and ambition to keep moving # Forward until we get it right .
Above all , they make for great photos , too .

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From skyscrapers to HS2, get the latest on Birmingham's biggest developments as the city skyline continues to evolve
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From skyscrapers to HS2, get the latest on Birmingham's biggest developments as the city skyline continues to evolve
Whoever coined Birmingham's motto 'Forward' in 1838 really hit the nail on the head.
We've been hammering away ever since and the city of perpetual motion and ingenuity has never stood still.
But the truth is that in order to take one more step forward it sometimes seems like we have to take two steps back first before moving on again.
For example - after we opened the Bull Ring in 1964, we then demolished it, dug an even bigger hole and voila, the new Bullring opened in 2003.
Like all genius inventions, the formula is very simple: Dig hole. Build. Demolish. Repeat (once every 40 years for maximum impact).
Take our pictures of work to build the foundations for the Library of Birmingham.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
They were taken ten years ago on April 23, 2010 - the 394th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, no less, whose life and works are now remembered in the Shakespeare Memorial Room on the library's top floor.
One of his plays was called All's Well That Ends Well.
But the trouble with Brum is that its building work never actually seems to end.
Looking at this main picture above now, it's almost as if it's a 2020 shot of workers peering over the fence and saying: 'Who's nicked the Library of Birmingham?'.
And that's because although the future Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai opened the library on September 3, 2013 following five years' of construction work, the wider area has been under siege by builders virtually ever since.
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
So now, when you look back at his gaping hole, it's as if every project is beginning to merge in with the others.
Everywhere we walk, there are still cones and barriers and, of course, holes as if we have been under a weird kind of builders' lockdown for two decades since the turn of the century.
If you are 40 years old, that's half a lifetime of disruption!
So step in to our time machine below ready to join our irreverent tour of the 'holey city of Birmingham'.
And see if you agree with our ratings for best holes...
The Library of Birmingham (2009-2013)
Our pictures in the photo story above were taken on April 23, 2010.
They show how a significant part of Centenary Square was being excavated to make way for what would become the below ground level children's library.
Piling work was ongoing and the handy ground level car park that used to be in between the Rep Theatre and the former Central Library was no more.
Once the library was built at a cost of £188 million it was too expensive for the city council to run
So staff were lost and hours were slashed - but it remains a great tourist attraction with several viewing points, just not at dawn because it never opens before 11am.
It has also fallen victim to the now month-long coronavirus pandemic lockdown, too.
Holey rating: ++++
(Image: Vivienne Hutchings / BirminghamLive)
Bullring (1999-2003)
This picture above was taken on May 18, 2001 - and yet just 28 months later the entire new Bullring was finished. Incredible.
So this one shot alone might make you wonder why it takes about four years to build every mile of tram track through Birmingham city centre.
But before we get on to that, you will note that the Birmingham Wholesale Market is still visible here, before it, too, was demolished in 2018/19.
(Image: Edward Moss / BirminghamLive)
For now at least, the Bull Ring Market and Rag Market (both to the right of St Martin's Church) are still there.
In this second picture, taken from the top of the Rotunda, you can see how the world isn't always how we think it is.
While St Martin in the Bull Ring used to be jet black from pollution, it was also surrounded by a ring of trees!
If you visit it the next time you are able to go into the city centre, you will see that its stonework on the Bullring side has turned very green without the trees to shield it.
Holey rating: +++++
(Image: Neil Pugh / BirminghamLive)
The Cube
Workers on this project had to be especially brave.
Not only did the hole seem to be deep enough to warrant an armed guard in case a live dinosaur was found, but there was another threat to life too.
What made this hole so special is that it was dug right next to the city's central canal system.
One wrong move and... whoosh! The construction workers could have been swimming for their lives.
(Image: Sam Bagnall / BirminghamLive)
Like the 2018 HSBC HQ on Broad Street (see below), the building was designed by city-born architect Ken Shuttleworth who wanted it to symbolise Birmingham's industrial heritage, inside out and out.
By my reckoning, it hasn't won the hearts of Brummies yet.
We'll know for sure in 30 years time, when the next generation will have decided by then whether it wants to replace it with something else.
For now, its design is certainly breathtakingly original, if a little cold and austere on the inside for the majority of the year.
If you go there, don't miss the brilliant public artwork by West Midlands' artist Temper
Or the view from the top near to Marco Pierre White's restaurant.
When you look towards the Library of Birmingham, you will see the building literally falling away from you. Now that's genius - what a shame that James Bond hasn't latched on to it for a stunt.
Holey rating: +++++
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Corporation Street
The West Midlands Metro tram line from Wolverhampton to Snow Hill opened on May 30, 1999.
Work to extend the West Midlands Metro by just 0.7 miles from Snow Hill to Stephenson Street began in 2012 and would take four years.
The project cost £128 million and its construction proceeded at the rate of 32 inches per day.
Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne performed the official opening in Corporation Street on May 26, 2016.
As you can see from the above picture in 2014, the hole for the extension wasn't very deep. But the trenches were long in distance and even longer in time - retailing along Bull Street and Corporation Street clearly suffered as a result.
Phase one of the new Westside Extension from Stephenson Street to Centenary Square was costed at £65.8 million for some 650 metres (0.4 miles) of track.
Services began running on the line on December 11, 2019 after 912 days of work.
The predicted cost from Grand Central to Five Ways is set to be £149 million on top of the £128 million for Snow Hill to Grand Central.
Total for the whole route from Snow Hill to 54 Hagley Road - £277 million for nine years of work digging lots holes.
Holey rating: +++
(Image: Nick Wilkinson / BirminghamLive)
Broad Street
Phase Two of the West Midlands Metro's extension has seen much of Broad Street being turned into another series of long and mostly shallow excavations.
Work has been ongoing for more than a year to transform one of the city's busiest routes into a tram track fit for the 21st century.
The street was hit by a major water leak on September 26, 2019
Restaurants, bars, shops and offices in the area were all affected by the incident, which happened on the day of the England v USA match at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
After a very wet autumn and winter, there were three significant storms in February, 2020 - Ciara, Dennis and Jorge.
(Image: BirminghamLive)
They were followed by a smaller leak on April 14, 2020 just a week after work had resumed following a two-week lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
For one day only, it made the street look like a 50 metre swimming pool was being build for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
This Phase Two stretch will be 0.8 miles (1.3km) long and cost an estimated £83.4 million.
But services are not expected to reach the Hagley Road side of Five Ways until late 2021.
Holey rating: +++
(Image: Graham Young)
New Street
Such is our familiarity with holes in Birmingham that a major project down New Street has already probably been forgotten.
That's partly because the beauty of the early 1990s block paving along New Street is that it has been relentlessly dug up for years and then been relaid generally very well.
Construction workers currently remodelling Victoria Square today tell me the new granite blocks going down to spruce up the city for the Commonwealth Games in 2022 will be a lot harder to dig up and to replace.
But as this hole shows, in 2014 the whole of New Street from top to bottom was dug up for a new heat supply system to be installed.
The ladder in the above picture illustrates how deep the hole was outside of what was then Waterstones at the corner of New Street and Stephenson Street so thank goodness all of the street's trees somehow survived the upheaval.
Two years later in September, 2016 the building - a former bank turned bookshop - became a new, flagship Apple store
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Apple closed all of its stores outside of China from March 13 2020 'until March 27', including this one.
They remain closed in the UK after the government announced its own lockdown on March 23.
Holey rating: +++
(Image: Darren Quinton / BirminghamLive)
Grand Central
Work to replace the Pallasades shopping centre above New Street Station began on September 1, 2009.
Six years later, Grand Central opened on September 24, 2015
It wasn't a hole as such because the new centre was still on top of the station (which many have likened to a 'black hole' over the years).
But Grand Central's all-white, ultra-bright atrium, once revealed, had a wow factor.
Probably because it was the very opposite of a hole.
Holey factor: ++
(Image: Graham Young / Birmingham Live)
Primark
Here's another quirky one - the former shopping centre that became a hole that wasn't.
The Pavilions shopping centre had closed for good after 29 years on May 20, 2016.
On November 16, 2017, we took this aerial photograph of the site during its comprehensive redevelopment.
Instead of demolishing the lot and starting from scratch, workers took The Pallasades right back to its original girders ready to create 'the world's biggest Primark' which opened four months later than planned - but to great acclaim - on April 11, 2019.
From this angle, the site looks like a big hole. But, in truth, here was no hole.
Similarly, on April 11, 2020 the opening day crowds of the year before also seemed like an illusion, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
Holey rating: ++
(Image: Paul Painter)
NatWest Tower
John Madin's Brutalist NatWest Tower on Colmore Row was opened in 1974.
On September 20, 2015, a giant crane was installed ready to demolish it.
By the time the above picture was taken on February 3, 2017, workers were digging out... you've guesses it... the hole.
Work to build the replacement 103 Colmore Row - the biggest office block under construction outside of London - began in the autumn of 2018.
You can compare and contrast the NatWest Tower with 103 Colmore Row here
The expected finish date before any long-term impact of the lockdown can be considered is around May to early summer, 2021.
If it lasts as long as The NatWest tower, demolition crews will arrive in the autumn of 2062.
Holey rating: ++++
(Image: Graham Young)
Paradise
Construction of the flagship Central Library started in April 1969 and was completed in December 1973.
The Brutalist building opened on January 12, 1974 and closed on June 29, 2013.
After months of preparation, demolition work on John Madin's upside down ziggurat began in earnest on December 14, 2015 - with neighbouring buildings like the Adrian Boult Hall, Conservatoire, Fletchers Walk and Chamberlain House all being flattened in its wake, too.
As the above picture taken on January 4, 2017 shows, the all-new Paradise is rising from the lower ground level up - The Cube-sized holes seem to have gone out of fashion.
The first two new buildings have been completed at One and Two Chamblerlain Square on the 17-acre site but the plan is to build another eight more. It's going to take years...
Holey rating: ++
(Image: Nick Wilkinson / BirminghamLive)
Centenary Square
First opened in 1992 along with the ICC and Symphony Hall, the block paving was deemed old hat once those five years of work had been completed on building the Library of Birmingham in between Baskerville House and the Birmingham Rep.
Work to replace it began in spring 2017 and the all-new Centenary Square was declared open on July 3, 2019 even though it remains unfinished even today.
It was also 50 per cent over budget at £16 million and a year behind schedule - once workers had to dig a bit deeper to install the shallow pool with dancing fountains they hit unexpected problems.
A classic case of river deep, financial mountain high.
The square cannot be totally completed until the foyer of Symphony Hall is rebuilt at the upper end - and that will take until at least September, 2020.
Holey rating: ++
(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive)
Arena Central
The 9.2 acre site is replacing the former ITV Central studios where shows like Bullseye and Central Weekend used to be made.
Construction work was announced on September 7, 2015 but because of where it is and with high fencing all the way round at ground level, the public generally missed the chance to appreciate its holey status.
The first completed building at the new address of 1 Centenary Square was the 11-storey, 210,000 sq ft HSBC UK HQ which has room for 2,500 employees.
It was officially occupied from November 2, 2018.
Once finished, the entire site is expected to include a landscaped public realm costing £10 million.
Holey rating: ++
(Image: Neil Pugh / BirminghamLive)
Conclusion
The disruption is endless and with plans for a Metro link to Digbeth having been approved for another four year build on top of the work to build HS2 from Park Street out, it seems if rebuilding will go on forever, but long may Birmingham remain full of such holes.
They illustrate the city's never-ending determination to make a better life for ourselves.
The holes are a clear sign that we remain full of invention, determination and ambition to keep moving #Forward until we get it right.
Above all, they make for great photos, too.


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Lockdown could start being lifted in three or four weeks says Government advisor

Infectious disease expert Sir Jeremy Farrar said he hopes some lockdown measures could begin to be lifted in around three or four weeks ' time - if the numbers of infections and hospital patients drop `` dramatically '' .
The director of the Wellcome Trust told Sky News 's Sophy Ridge On Sunday : `` I would hope they will get there in three-four weeks time because it 's clear that the lockdown ca n't go on for much longer .
`` The damage it 's doing to all of our health and wellbeing , our mental health ... the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's damaging all of our lives .
`` So the lockdowns can not go on forever , we must lift them as soon as we can but we ca n't lift them too soon and we ca n't just make arbitrary dates .
`` It has to be driven , I 'm afraid , by the data . ''
Sir Jeremy , who is a member of the Government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , added that he thought that the UK was past the peak of the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He explained : `` We should not see this as a discrete episode .
I think the probability of what we must be planning for is that there would be further waves of this in the future .
`` But for this first wave I think the number of new infections stabilised maybe a week or two ago , the number of hospitalisations maybe a week or so ago ... we 're probably just past the peak in many parts of this country , as is true in many parts of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we were to release those lockdowns too soon whilst the infection rates are still high ... then the epidemic would come back again , it would come back very quickly .
`` It would rebound within a few weeks or a couple of months . ''

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Infectious disease expert Sir Jeremy Farrar said he hopes some lockdown measures could begin to be lifted in around three or four weeks' time - if the numbers of infections and hospital patients drop "dramatically".
The director of the Wellcome Trust told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Sunday: "I would hope they will get there in three-four weeks time because it's clear that the lockdown can't go on for much longer.
"The damage it's doing to all of our health and wellbeing, our mental health... the lockdown is damaging business and ultimately that's damaging all of our lives.
"So the lockdowns cannot go on forever, we must lift them as soon as we can but we can't lift them too soon and we can't just make arbitrary dates.
"It has to be driven, I'm afraid, by the data."
Sir Jeremy, who is a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), added that he thought that the UK was past the peak of the "first wave" of the virus.
He explained: "We should not see this as a discrete episode. I think the probability of what we must be planning for is that there would be further waves of this in the future.
"But for this first wave I think the number of new infections stabilised maybe a week or two ago, the number of hospitalisations maybe a week or so ago... we're probably just past the peak in many parts of this country, as is true in many parts of the world."
But he cautioned: "If we were to release those lockdowns too soon whilst the infection rates are still high... then the epidemic would come back again, it would come back very quickly.
"It would rebound within a few weeks or a couple of months."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Premier League chief’s warning over move that could affect Albion

West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United have a keen eye on what 's going on in the Premier League at present .
The Championship 's top two are well on course to win promotion once the season resumes and will be interested to learn the make-up of the Premier League for the 2020/21 season .
A meeting between Premier League clubs on Friday included discussions about finishing the season as late as August .
There is still , however , the possibility of it not being able to be completed at all .
A points-per-game calculator has been mooted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine who finishes inside the European places .
If that is enforced , Brighton CEO Tony Bloom believes no team should be relegated from the top flight .
That could mean the Premier League includes more than the allotted 20 teams next season to accommodate those promoted from the Championship .
`` I do n't foresee a situation , if the season 's not played out , that teams will get relegated on a points-per-game basis , '' Bloom told The Telegraph .
`` I just do n't think it 's fathomable that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play out the season may lose out on 0.2 of a point and also it does not take into account the strength of the teams you have not played .
`` You may get a title winner – obviously Liverpool deserve it – you may use that criteria for European qualification , but I do not see how anyone can vote for that , certainly the [ 70 ] per cent needed , for teams to get relegated . ''
Bloom added : `` When we are talking with the Premier League clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's about finishing this season .
`` If we get to a situation whereby it 's decided that the season ca n't be concluded , then that 's when we need to have serious conversations about what 's going to happen for next season . ''

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West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United have a keen eye on what's going on in the Premier League at present.
The Championship's top two are well on course to win promotion once the season resumes and will be interested to learn the make-up of the Premier League for the 2020/21 season.
A meeting between Premier League clubs on Friday included discussions about finishing the season as late as August. There is still, however, the possibility of it not being able to be completed at all.
A points-per-game calculator has been mooted to confirm Liverpool’s title win and determine who finishes inside the European places. If that is enforced, Brighton CEO Tony Bloom believes no team should be relegated from the top flight.
That could mean the Premier League includes more than the allotted 20 teams next season to accommodate those promoted from the Championship.
"I don't foresee a situation, if the season's not played out, that teams will get relegated on a points-per-game basis," Bloom told The Telegraph.
"I just don't think it's fathomable that a team which is not allowed to play out the season may lose out on 0.2 of a point and also it does not take into account the strength of the teams you have not played.
"You may get a title winner – obviously Liverpool deserve it – you may use that criteria for European qualification, but I do not see how anyone can vote for that, certainly the [70] per cent needed, for teams to get relegated."
Bloom added: "When we are talking with the Premier League clubs and the Premier League itself, I think it's about finishing this season.
"If we get to a situation whereby it's decided that the season can't be concluded, then that's when we need to have serious conversations about what's going to happen for next season."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Couple raffle off stunning six-bedroom farmhouse - for £2

A generous couple are raffling off their stunning six bedroom farmhouse - complete with an outdoor hot tub - to raise money for a hospice amid the pandemic .
Charity fund raisers Nigel and Jane Chaloner have entered their dreamy Shropshire home , Grafton Farm , into a prize draw costing just £2 a ticket .
Situated less than an hour from Birmingham , the Grade II listed property is said to offer idyllic country living with approximately three acres of land .
Having raised their own family and 22 foster children at the farm over the last 18 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had started marketing their home to sell .
Watch the video above to view the inside of the farmhouse But as the Covid-19 outbreak struck , and both were infected with the virus , they decided to instead raise up to £100,000 to support the work of Severn Hospice .
Jane said : “ We have raised money for charities before , and I know what it is like to fight for your life and how much support charities provide .
`` In recent years Severn Hospice have been there for our friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives .
`` Both Nigel and I have been hit with Corona Virus and our daughter and son are key workers so we know how much Severn Hospice take pressure off the NHS .
`` In this dire time , we felt that we all need some hope , and being able to make a difference on this scale makes all the sense in the world !
`` £2 does n't buy you much these days but it could buy you the most idyllic home that we have cherished for years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them to continue the essential care they so willingly give.
” The beautiful home , which comes fully furnished to include an outdoor hot tub , gym equipment and sit on lawn mower , will be gifted to a lucky winner during a live draw on June 3 .
Tickets are said to be 'limited ' and the competition went live on Friday , April 10 .
It is set to close on May 3 with the winner revealed a month later .
Norma Ross , director of income generation at Severn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Nigel and Sarah Jane for their incredibly generous offer .
Support such as theirs enables us to care for people with incurable illness in Shropshire , Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales .
`` In the current climate of COVID-19 crisis , this kind of support is really valuable to us as we have lost some of our most vital income streams .
`` People can support us from their sofas by taking part in the draw while , at the same time , be in with the chance to win a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wish everyone the best of luck with the competition.
” To enter the £2 raffle for a chance to win the home and donate to the Severn Hospice , click here .

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A generous couple are raffling off their stunning six bedroom farmhouse - complete with an outdoor hot tub - to raise money for a hospice amid the pandemic.
Charity fund raisers Nigel and Jane Chaloner have entered their dreamy Shropshire home, Grafton Farm, into a prize draw costing just £2 a ticket.
Situated less than an hour from Birmingham, the Grade II listed property is said to offer idyllic country living with approximately three acres of land.
Watch the video above to view the inside of the farmhouse
Having raised their own family and 22 foster children at the farm over the last 18 years and with retirement beckoning, the couple had started marketing their home to sell.
But as the Covid-19 outbreak struck, and both were infected with the virus, they decided to instead raise up to £100,000 to support the work of Severn Hospice..
How the prize draw works The couple said their property has had three independent valuations putting it at between £630,000-£650,000. They want to raise £100,000 above its value so they can give 10% of all ticket sales to the hospice. Should the target amount not be met through ticket sales the couple will hold the prize draw and the winner will receive a cash prize of 90% of ticket sales. The hospice will receive the remaining 10%. Mr Chalenor said the charity suggested selling a minimum amount of 385,555 tickets to cover the break-even costs.
Jane said: “We have raised money for charities before, and I know what it is like to fight for your life and how much support charities provide.
"In recent years Severn Hospice have been there for our friends and family at the worst moments in their lives
"Both Nigel and I have been hit with Corona Virus and our daughter and son are key workers so we know how much Severn Hospice take pressure off the NHS.
"In this dire time, we felt that we all need some hope, and being able to make a difference on this scale makes all the sense in the world!
"£2 doesn't buy you much these days but it could buy you the most idyllic home that we have cherished for years and Severn Hospice get the help that will allow them to continue the essential care they so willingly give.”
The beautiful home, which comes fully furnished to include an outdoor hot tub, gym equipment and sit on lawn mower, will be gifted to a lucky winner during a live draw on June 3.
Tickets are said to be 'limited' and the competition went live on Friday, April 10. It is set to close on May 3 with the winner revealed a month later.
Norma Ross, director of income generation at Severn Hospice added: “Thanks so much to Nigel and Sarah Jane for their incredibly generous offer. Support such as theirs enables us to care for people with incurable illness in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid Wales.
"In the current climate of COVID-19 crisis, this kind of support is really valuable to us as we have lost some of our most vital income streams.
"People can support us from their sofas by taking part in the draw while, at the same time, be in with the chance to win a fully furnished, beautiful country home. We wish everyone the best of luck with the competition.”


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Premier League warned about move that could relegate Aston Villa

The chief executive of one of Aston Villa ’ s rivals has warned the Premier League to scrap relegation if the season ca n't be finished .
The Premier League remain committed to finishing the campaign , despite the ongoing suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic .
A meeting between clubs on Friday included discussions about finishing the season as late as August .
There is still , however , the possibility of it not being able to be completed at all .
A points-per-game calculator has been mooted to confirm Liverpool ’ s title win and determine who finishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same method was applied to the teams at the bottom , Villa - who currently sit 19th - could well be relegated .
If that is enforced , Brighton CEO Tony Bloom believes no team should be relegated from the top flight .
`` I do n't foresee a situation , if the season 's not played out , that teams will get relegated on a points-per-game basis , '' Bloom told The Telegraph .
`` I just do n't think it 's fathomable that a team which is not allowed to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.2 of a point and also it does not take into account the strength of the teams you have not played .
`` You may get a title winner – obviously Liverpool deserve it – you may use that criteria for European qualification , but I do not see how anyone can vote for that , certainly the [ 70 ] per cent needed , for teams to get relegated . ''
Bloom added : `` When we are talking with the Premier League clubs and the Premier League itself , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If we get to a situation whereby it 's decided that the season ca n't be concluded , then that 's when we need to have serious conversations about what 's going to happen for next season . ''

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The chief executive of one of Aston Villa’s rivals has warned the Premier League to scrap relegation if the season can't be finished.
The Premier League remain committed to finishing the campaign, despite the ongoing suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A meeting between clubs on Friday included discussions about finishing the season as late as August. There is still, however, the possibility of it not being able to be completed at all.
A points-per-game calculator has been mooted to confirm Liverpool’s title win and determine who finishes inside the European places. If the same method was applied to the teams at the bottom, Villa - who currently sit 19th - could well be relegated.
If that is enforced, Brighton CEO Tony Bloom believes no team should be relegated from the top flight.
"I don't foresee a situation, if the season's not played out, that teams will get relegated on a points-per-game basis," Bloom told The Telegraph.
"I just don't think it's fathomable that a team which is not allowed to play out the season may lose out on 0.2 of a point and also it does not take into account the strength of the teams you have not played.
"You may get a title winner – obviously Liverpool deserve it – you may use that criteria for European qualification, but I do not see how anyone can vote for that, certainly the [70] per cent needed, for teams to get relegated."
Bloom added: "When we are talking with the Premier League clubs and the Premier League itself, I think it's about finishing this season.
"If we get to a situation whereby it's decided that the season can't be concluded, then that's when we need to have serious conversations about what's going to happen for next season."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Grealish ‘far more attractive’ to Man United than Madrid superstar

Manchester United ’ s interest in Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is no secret .
Whether Villa remain in the @ @ @ @ @ the club are expecting to receive offers for their prize asset .
While his Villa @ @ @ @ @ Grealish has managed seven goals and six assists in the Premier League - a tally @ @ @ @ @ admirers .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a huge fan of Grealish and the Daily Star @ @ @ @ @ pay up to £70million for the midfielder .
And United are so intent on landing @ @ @ @ @ reportedly dismissing Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez .
Rodriguez , 28 , is set to @ @ @ @ @ window after falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu .
However , @ @ @ @ @ a ‘ far more attractive ’ option to United than the Colombian .
Everton have @ @ @ @ @ 24-year-old in recent days , while Manchester City has also been mooted as a possible @ @

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Manchester United’s interest in Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is no secret.
Whether Villa remain in the Premier League or not, the club are expecting to receive offers for their prize asset.
While his Villa team-mates have struggled this season Grealish has managed seven goals and six assists in the Premier League - a tally which has attracted plenty of admirers.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a huge fan of Grealish and the Daily Star suggests United are willing to pay up to £70million for the midfielder.
And United are so intent on landing Grealish that they’re reportedly dismissing Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, 28, is set to become available in the summer window after falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.
However, Sky Sports report Grealish is a ‘far more attractive’ option to United than the Colombian.
Everton have also been linked with the 24-year-old in recent days, while Manchester City has also been mooted as a possible destination.


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Pundit thinks West Brom coach could regret decision to quit

Pundit Noel Whelan believes Darren Fletcher could end up regretting his move to Manchester United .
Fletcher has left his role as coach within West Bromwich Albion ’ s academy to return to Old Trafford and take up a position as an informal ambassador .
Much like his former teammates James Morrison and Boaz Myhill , who also currently find themselves in the academy set-up , Fletcher was looking to remain involved in the game after he called time on his playing career last year .
And Whelan , speaking to Football Insider , believes Fletcher will miss the buzz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training ground .
“ I think there ’ s a bit of both going on there as well , ” said Whelan .
“ Look , he ’ s Manchester United isn ’ t he ?
If something comes up at that football club you ’ re going to take it .
“ It also depends where his heart is in both , actually .
I think he wants to coach .
Most football players , when they retire , go into something else .
They need to coach , they need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to be out there on the training field .
“ He ’ s got a great opportunity at Manchester United to be an ambassador for a club that he served really , really well .
It ’ s an important job , most clubs have a name who have served them very well over the years and he ’ s certainly been one of those .
“ I do think once you ’ ve been coaching and you ’ ve been at West Brom and he ’ s got a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coached by some of the best managers and coaches over time - it would be a shame not to put it out on the field with young players coming through .
”

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Pundit Noel Whelan believes Darren Fletcher could end up regretting his move to Manchester United.
Fletcher has left his role as coach within West Bromwich Albion’s academy to return to Old Trafford and take up a position as an informal ambassador.
Much like his former teammates James Morrison and Boaz Myhill, who also currently find themselves in the academy set-up, Fletcher was looking to remain involved in the game after he called time on his playing career last year.
And Whelan, speaking to Football Insider, believes Fletcher will miss the buzz of coaching Albion's youngsters on the training ground.
“I think there’s a bit of both going on there as well,” said Whelan. “Look, he’s Manchester United isn’t he? If something comes up at that football club you’re going to take it.
“It also depends where his heart is in both, actually. I think he wants to coach. Most football players, when they retire, go into something else. They need to coach, they need to put a pair of boots on, they want to be out there on the training field.
“He’s got a great opportunity at Manchester United to be an ambassador for a club that he served really, really well. It’s an important job, most clubs have a name who have served them very well over the years and he’s certainly been one of those.
“I do think once you’ve been coaching and you’ve been at West Brom and he’s got a lot to offer – he’s been coached by some of the best managers and coaches over time - it would be a shame not to put it out on the field with young players coming through.”


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Why I rejected Man United - Aston Villa's soon-to-be talent chief

He 's one of the country 's best talent-spotters about to swap West Bromwich Albion for Aston Villa .
Steve Hopcroft said his final goodbyes last week after a stellar 14-year career heading up academy recruitment at The Hawthorns .
Hopcroft looks set to replace Tom Brady at Villa , the latter leaving Bodymoor Heath after three-and-a-half years recruiting young talent .
As for Hopcroft , the talent guru was previously at Birmingham City where he signed both Nathan Redmond and Demarai Gray .
Villa , of course , snapped up Barry in January which was a signing made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrison .
Back in 2016 , though , it was Jose Mourinho who wanted to revamp Manchester United 's academy .
The Portuguese signalled out Hopcroft to be the man to do just that .
However , Hopcroft turned United down and , in an interview back in 2017 , explained why .
`` Yeah , it was very difficult , '' he said in a YouTube interview .
`` But there was a number of factors why I did n't go .
`` One of the reasons I did n't go was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you have foundations why you want to do ( your job ) .
`` The reason I wanted to do this was because I wanted to find footballers who could play in the Premier League that are from Birmingham .
`` I 'm born and bred in Birmingham .
I think there 's a population of two million in Birmingham and , within that two million , we can find world-class footballers .
`` Other parts of the country do it reguarly .
Demarai Gray was at Birmingham and I recruited him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ( Albion ) to Birmingham .
`` Nathan ( Redmond ) made his England debut last night .
Saido 's been in and around it .
`` I turned down the Man United job because I thought about why I started .
`` It was n't to find players in Manchester or all around the world for Man United it was about finding players who could play for West Brom from the Birmingham area who could play for our first team .
`` I thought it would be hypocritically of me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past and said , 'Do n't go to a big club when your opportunities are here ' then for me to do the exact same .
`` It was very difficult to turn Man United down .
But I 'm really happy at West Brom .
I 've loved working here from the day I started .
`` I 've been here a long time , I find it challenging .
It has its challenges but I also find it very rewarding .
`` I 'm on a journey now with hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hundreds of players here now signed and hundreds of players in our pre-academy development groups .
`` I like to think I have relationships with all of them , which are stronger than I have with Manchester United and that 's the reason why I turned them down .
`` I might regret it , I 'm regretting it already , I think ! ''
Here 's why Hopcroft has said about the talent he 's spotted - and the ones that got away from Albion during his time at The Hawthorns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snap up a bright-eyed Jack Grealish for Albion at under-7s .
Villa 's superstar skipper was desperate to play for Villa , though , and snubbed Hopcroft and Albion .
After Grealish lit up Wembley in the 2015 FA Cup semi-final , Hopcroft said on Twitter : `` Tried to sign Jack Grealish at U7/8 .
`` Was only EVER going to sign for AVFC .
He and his Dad loved Villa .
He must have dreamt of this day . ''
`` Nathan Redmond was a boy where I was told he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first scouted him .
`` I watched him playing in Lea Village and the manager said to me , 'He 'll never be a player , he 's stroppy , he cries a lot . '
`` When I watched him I did n't see any of those things .
I saw a really talented boy just frustrated with the players around him .
`` He was so frustrated that led to an outburst of temper .
The minute he went into the academy at Birmingham , that all disappeared .
`` Nathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he walked through the doors at Birmingham , right through to making his England debut . ''
`` We had a boy , Franz Carr brought him in to us from Coventry .
Me and Dan Ashworth were stood on the side of the Astroturf watching two boys play .
`` Calvin Brown was a local lad from Smethwick , a big centre-forward and looked the part .
We did n't take the lad from Coventry .
`` We did n't take him purely because of the fact we were only going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the local lad , we like local players .
`` The other lad was Callum Wilson who got sold on by Coventry , bought by Bournemouth .
I know he 's had some injuries but he 's one thje club have been linked with in the past with a £10million move .
He 's one that sticks out . ''
`` Some of the lads that we 've let go have been frustrating .
Perhaps Kemar Roofe could have played for the current manager in the team .
`` The manager likes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in - and Kemar can do that .
I 've got no doubts Kemar will play in the Premier League .
`` He was injured a lot between 14 and 16 and did n't really play .
`` If there was a new academy manager that had came in he would have said no to Kemar .
`` But , because we knew what he was like when he was young , then he got a scholarship and the rest is history . ''
`` Chris Wood , you know , wherever he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of player Chris is , he 's probably now just becoming mature , 24 , 25 , 26 .
`` I can see him really developing and I have no doubt he can play in the Premier League .
Those are the ones that are more frustrating because we had them in the building .
It 's part of football . ''
`` Yan was always a Liverpool fan .
Maybe his dream was to play for Liverpool .
If he never makes it as a footballer , he 's achieved his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents and advisors all around him .
He also had his loving mother .
When they become over 19/20 years of age , they 're on their own .
`` If Saido gets his physical and mental state right and , as it should be , he can be a top striker and a top Premier League goal-scorer . ''
`` Izzy would have played in our first team ( at Albion ) .
I thought Izzy was a brilliant footballer and still do , a magnificent technician .
I 'd loved Izzy @ @ @ @ @ @

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He's one of the country's best talent-spotters about to swap West Bromwich Albion for Aston Villa.
Steve Hopcroft said his final goodbyes last week after a stellar 14-year career heading up academy recruitment at The Hawthorns.
Hopcroft looks set to replace Tom Brady at Villa, the latter leaving Bodymoor Heath after three-and-a-half years recruiting young talent.
As for Hopcroft, the talent guru was previously at Birmingham City where he signed both Nathan Redmond and Demarai Gray.
At Albion, success stories include Izzy Brown, Rekeem Harper, Kyle Edwards, Nathan Ferguson, Saido Berahino, Kemar Roofe, Sam Field, Jonathan Leko, Yan Dhanda, George Thorne, Chris Wood, Romaine Sawyers and Louie Barry.
Villa, of course, snapped up Barry in January which was a signing made by Hopcroft's soon-to-be academy manager, Mark Harrison.
Back in 2016, though, it was Jose Mourinho who wanted to revamp Manchester United's academy. The Portuguese signalled out Hopcroft to be the man to do just that.
However, Hopcroft turned United down and, in an interview back in 2017, explained why.
"Yeah, it was very difficult," he said in a YouTube interview. "But there was a number of factors why I didn't go.
"One of the reasons I didn't go was because, when we all start out, you have foundations why you want to do (your job).
"The reason I wanted to do this was because I wanted to find footballers who could play in the Premier League that are from Birmingham.
"I'm born and bred in Birmingham. I think there's a population of two million in Birmingham and, within that two million, we can find world-class footballers.
"Other parts of the country do it reguarly. Demarai Gray was at Birmingham and I recruited him.
(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
"We actually sent Jack Butland from (Albion) to Birmingham.
"Nathan (Redmond) made his England debut last night. Saido's been in and around it.
"I turned down the Man United job because I thought about why I started.
"It wasn't to find players in Manchester or all around the world for Man United it was about finding players who could play for West Brom from the Birmingham area who could play for our first team.
"I thought it would be hypocritically of me to the players I've sat down in the past and said, 'Don't go to a big club when your opportunities are here' then for me to do the exact same.
"It was very difficult to turn Man United down. But I'm really happy at West Brom. I've loved working here from the day I started.
"I've been here a long time, I find it challenging. It has its challenges but I also find it very rewarding.
"I'm on a journey now with hundreds of players who have gone before me, hundreds of players here now signed and hundreds of players in our pre-academy development groups.
"I like to think I have relationships with all of them, which are stronger than I have with Manchester United and that's the reason why I turned them down.
"I might regret it, I'm regretting it already, I think!"
Here's why Hopcroft has said about the talent he's spotted - and the ones that got away from Albion during his time at The Hawthorns.
Jack Grealish
Hopcroft tried ever so hard to snap up a bright-eyed Jack Grealish for Albion at under-7s.
Villa's superstar skipper was desperate to play for Villa, though, and snubbed Hopcroft and Albion.
After Grealish lit up Wembley in the 2015 FA Cup semi-final, Hopcroft said on Twitter: "Tried to sign Jack Grealish at U7/8.
"Was only EVER going to sign for AVFC. He and his Dad loved Villa. He must have dreamt of this day."
Nathan Redmond
"Nathan Redmond was a boy where I was told he'd never have a chance when I first scouted him.
"I watched him playing in Lea Village and the manager said to me, 'He'll never be a player, he's stroppy, he cries a lot.'
"When I watched him I didn't see any of those things. I saw a really talented boy just frustrated with the players around him.
"He was so frustrated that led to an outburst of temper. The minute he went into the academy at Birmingham, that all disappeared.
"Nathan's been a role model ever since he walked through the doors at Birmingham, right through to making his England debut."
Callum Wilson
(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
"We had a boy, Franz Carr brought him in to us from Coventry. Me and Dan Ashworth were stood on the side of the Astroturf watching two boys play.
"Calvin Brown was a local lad from Smethwick, a big centre-forward and looked the part. We didn't take the lad from Coventry.
"We didn't take him purely because of the fact we were only going to sign one of them and we went with the local lad, we like local players.
"The other lad was Callum Wilson who got sold on by Coventry, bought by Bournemouth. I know he's had some injuries but he's one thje club have been linked with in the past with a £10million move. He's one that sticks out."
Kemar Roofe
"Some of the lads that we've let go have been frustrating. Perhaps Kemar Roofe could have played for the current manager in the team.
"The manager likes wingers who work hard and can chip in - and Kemar can do that. I've got no doubts Kemar will play in the Premier League.
"He was injured a lot between 14 and 16 and didn't really play.
"If there was a new academy manager that had came in he would have said no to Kemar.
"But, because we knew what he was like when he was young, then he got a scholarship and the rest is history."
Chris Wood
"Chris Wood, you know, wherever he plays, he scores goals. The type of player Chris is, he's probably now just becoming mature, 24, 25, 26.
"I can see him really developing and I have no doubt he can play in the Premier League. Those are the ones that are more frustrating because we had them in the building. It's part of football."
Yan Dhanda
"Yan was always a Liverpool fan. Maybe his dream was to play for Liverpool. If he never makes it as a footballer, he's achieved his dream."
Saido Berahino
"Saido had his agents and advisors all around him. He also had his loving mother. When they become over 19/20 years of age, they're on their own.
"If Saido gets his physical and mental state right and, as it should be, he can be a top striker and a top Premier League goal-scorer."
Izzy Brown
"Izzy would have played in our first team (at Albion). I thought Izzy was a brilliant footballer and still do, a magnificent technician. I'd loved Izzy to have stayed here."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Gambling addict robbed bookmakers after blowing Christmas savings

A gambling addict who blew all the money he had saved for Christmas on gaming machines got it back by robbing a bookmakers in Birmingham .
Wesley Reddall forced an employee to hand over the cash at knife point but was captured on CCTV and also left a thumb print behind .
Reddall , 20 , of Grosvenor Road , Aston , was jailed for three years and four months , after admitting robbery and possessing an offensive weapon .
On December 5 last year the defendant had spent most of the day gambling at a branch of William Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had gone out for a cigarette and an employee , who had been emptying the gaming machines , left him back in .
After watching him for a while Reddall then approached the victim , pulled out a Stanley knife and held it to his stomach .
The defendant told him `` Do n't make me do this '' and the employee pointed out there was CCTV and that afterwards he would be obliged to call the police .
He also told Reddall he would not be able to get out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in notes and £300 in coins .
Reddall then managed to flee from the premises by using a fire alarm release .
Gary Cook , prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court , said the incident was captured on CCTV and that the defendant 's picture was circulated and he was recognised by an officer .
He said Reddall 's thumb print was also found on the release mechanism 's button and he was arrested on January 21 .
In passing sentence Judge Sarah Buckingham said `` You had been in there all day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could trust you .
`` He pointed out that it was being recorded on CCTV but that did not stop you .
`` He was frightened for his own safety .
`` This was effectively a robbery of a shopkeeper inside a betting shop .
He was particularly vulnerable .
`` You have previous convictions for robbery and an entrenched gambling addiction .
`` It is something you were well aware of and should have sought help for before committing the offence . ''
Matthew Cullen , defending , said Reddall also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gambling addiction had started when he was 16 .
`` His gambling addiction has been his achilles heel for the last four years .
`` On the day of the offence he had lost £1,800 at the same bookmakers .
`` These were savings from benefit payments intended for Christmas day and Christmas presents .
It was this loss which triggered the offence .
`` He saw an opportunity .
It was an impulsive decision .
He was not influenced by greed .
It was not an offence that was pre planned .
@

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A gambling addict who blew all the money he had saved for Christmas on gaming machines got it back by robbing a bookmakers in Birmingham.
Wesley Reddall forced an employee to hand over the cash at knife point but was captured on CCTV and also left a thumb print behind.
Reddall, 20, of Grosvenor Road, Aston, was jailed for three years and four months, after admitting robbery and possessing an offensive weapon.
On December 5 last year the defendant had spent most of the day gambling at a branch of William Hill in Church Road, Sheldon.
He had gone out for a cigarette and an employee, who had been emptying the gaming machines, left him back in.
After watching him for a while Reddall then approached the victim, pulled out a Stanley knife and held it to his stomach.
The defendant told him "Don't make me do this" and the employee pointed out there was CCTV and that afterwards he would be obliged to call the police.
He also told Reddall he would not be able to get out of the shop but relented and handed over £1,400 in notes and £300 in coins.
Reddall then managed to flee from the premises by using a fire alarm release.
Gary Cook, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said the incident was captured on CCTV and that the defendant's picture was circulated and he was recognised by an officer.
He said Reddall's thumb print was also found on the release mechanism's button and he was arrested on January 21.
In passing sentence Judge Sarah Buckingham said "You had been in there all day and he (the victim) obviously though he could trust you.
"He pointed out that it was being recorded on CCTV but that did not stop you.
"He was frightened for his own safety.
"This was effectively a robbery of a shopkeeper inside a betting shop. He was particularly vulnerable.
"You have previous convictions for robbery and an entrenched gambling addiction.
"It is something you were well aware of and should have sought help for before committing the offence."
Matthew Cullen, defending, said Reddall also had a cannabis addiction and that his gambling addiction had started when he was 16.
"His gambling addiction has been his achilles heel for the last four years.
"On the day of the offence he had lost £1,800 at the same bookmakers.
"These were savings from benefit payments intended for Christmas day and Christmas presents. It was this loss which triggered the offence.
"He saw an opportunity. It was an impulsive decision. He was not influenced by greed. It was not an offence that was pre planned."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--'They don't understand why they are dying more than others'

An emergency investigation has been launched in Birmingham to probe the backgrounds of Covid-19 sufferers as fear rises about its impact .
The move comes as the government confirms it is looking into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by the virus .
Cllr Paulette Hamilton said the impact of the virus was horrendous and was touching all communities and people of all colours and backgrounds .
`` I have cried many times this past week , learning of so many people whose lives have been taken by this virus .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , '' she said .
She added : `` There is a lot of fear in our communities ( across Birmingham ) .
They do n't understand why they are dying more than others . ''
Birmingham and Sandwell have seen some 777 people die from coronavirus in their hospitals since the pandemic was unleashed in March .
An unknown number have also died in the community and in care homes .
The city has been a hotspot , with the four hospitals run by University Hospitals Birmingham Trust together recording the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Cllr Hamilton , the city 's cabinet member for health and social care , has called an emergency meeting of Birmingham 's Health and Wellbeing Board next Thursday to try to understand who is getting worst affected by the virus - and what can be done about it .
She is urging anyone with concerns to send in questions to the Board , to put forward to contributors from the region 's NHS , Public Health England and GP-led Clinical Commissioning Group .
The meeting will be livestreamed and will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your questions to Cllr Hamilton direct at paulette.hamilton @ birmingham.gov.uk Information about ethnicity and which areas are affected is not routinely collected and analysed - and that 's a mistake , she said .
`` Sometimes as professionals we are not sure .
We know deprivation is a major issue but need to look at this more .
`` We have been working with the clinical commissioning group , the NHS and Public Health England .
Next Thursday we will look at this in more depth and have an emergency meeting to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get really clear information out there , and information that is accurate .
`` We need to then interpret and talk through it - not just to the BAME communities but also to the white communities - they all have so many questions about the pain and bereavement they are going through , '' said Cllr Hamilton .
`` I feel we should not be fumbling about for the information and data - we should have these pieces in place already .
But better late than never . ''
Dr David Rosser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said an analysis of health records so far showed `` a stronger relationship with deprivation than with authenticity , but there is an overlap , so it 's slightly difficult to unpick . ''
He added : `` The data is difficult and complicated but the strongest link is to deprivation than any ethnic background . ''
Dr Sue Ibbotson , director of Public Health England West Midlands , said : `` There is limited recording of ethnicity , so we have to be careful in making any assumptions .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work before we draw any conclusions .
`` In the meantime , we are trying to ensure information reaches ethnic groups - for example , by producing information in a range of languages , offering interviews to black and minority ethnic media , and reaching out to them to share key messages . ''
Of the 54 front line health and social care workers in England and Wales that have died because of Covid-19 , some 70 % of them were black or from an ethnic minority .
Four of the five health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most deaths so far cover areas with some of the highest combined South Asian and black populations - including Birmingham .
The national inquiry will be led by the NHS and Public Health England along with other organisations , including the British Medical Association .
Professor Chris Whitty , England 's chief medical officer , told a recent national briefing : `` It 's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them .
Three things are clear - and ethnicity is less clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are age , people who 've got more than one other disease and male sex is a clear risk factor .
`` Being a member of an ethnic minority group is less clear .
I 've had discussions with scientists about this in terms of trying to tease this apart .
`` Also , we are looking very specifically at healthcare workers with leaders of the NHS .
This is something we 're very keen to get extremely clear .
We 've asked PHE to look at this in some detail and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see any signal at all , we want to then know what next to do about it to minimise risk .
`` This is not yet clear in terms of ethnic minorities . ''
In reaction to the government 's decision to carry out a review , the council chair of the British Medical Association , Dr Chaand Nagpaul , said : `` BAME deaths do n't just happen in hospitals , they are prevalent in the community too .
It 's incredibly important that the government looks at the data and understands @ @ @ @ @ @

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An emergency investigation has been launched in Birmingham to probe the backgrounds of Covid-19 sufferers as fear rises about its impact.
The move comes as the government confirms it is looking into why people from a black and minority ethnic background appear to be disproportionately affected by the virus.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton said the impact of the virus was horrendous and was touching all communities and people of all colours and backgrounds.
"I have cried many times this past week, learning of so many people whose lives have been taken by this virus. We need to understand what is going on better," she said.
She added: "There is a lot of fear in our communities (across Birmingham). They don't understand why they are dying more than others."
(Image: Birmingham City Council)
Birmingham and Sandwell have seen some 777 people die from coronavirus in their hospitals since the pandemic was unleashed in March. An unknown number have also died in the community and in care homes.
The city has been a hotspot, with the four hospitals run by University Hospitals Birmingham Trust together recording the biggest number of hospital deaths in the country.
Cllr Hamilton, the city's cabinet member for health and social care, has called an emergency meeting of Birmingham's Health and Wellbeing Board next Thursday to try to understand who is getting worst affected by the virus - and what can be done about it.
She is urging anyone with concerns to send in questions to the Board, to put forward to contributors from the region's NHS, Public Health England and GP-led Clinical Commissioning Group. The meeting will be livestreamed and will take place from 3pm to 5pm.
Email your questions to Cllr Hamilton direct at paulette.hamilton@birmingham.gov.uk
Information about ethnicity and which areas are affected is not routinely collected and analysed - and that's a mistake, she said.
"Sometimes as professionals we are not sure. We know deprivation is a major issue but need to look at this more.
"We have been working with the clinical commissioning group, the NHS and Public Health England. Next Thursday we will look at this in more depth and have an emergency meeting to look at these issues.
"We need to get really clear information out there, and information that is accurate.
(Image: PA)
"We need to then interpret and talk through it - not just to the BAME communities but also to the white communities - they all have so many questions about the pain and bereavement they are going through," said Cllr Hamilton.
"I feel we should not be fumbling about for the information and data - we should have these pieces in place already. But better late than never."
Dr David Rosser, chief executive at University Hospitals Birmingham, said an analysis of health records so far showed "a stronger relationship with deprivation than with ethnicity, but there is an overlap, so it's slightly difficult to unpick."
He added: "The data is difficult and complicated but the strongest link is to deprivation than any ethnic background."
Dr Sue Ibbotson, director of Public Health England West Midlands, said: "There is limited recording of ethnicity, so we have to be careful in making any assumptions.
"We are doing a whole raft of careful work before we draw any conclusions.
"In the meantime, we are trying to ensure information reaches ethnic groups - for example, by producing information in a range of languages, offering interviews to black and minority ethnic media, and reaching out to them to share key messages."
Of the 54 front line health and social care workers in England and Wales that have died because of Covid-19, some 70% of them were black or from an ethnic minority.
Four of the five health trusts in England that have recorded the most deaths so far cover areas with some of the highest combined South Asian and black populations - including Birmingham.
The national inquiry will be led by the NHS and Public Health England along with other organisations, including the British Medical Association.
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, told a recent national briefing: "It's critical that we find out which groups are most at risk so we can help to protect them. Three things are clear - and ethnicity is less clear. The three things that are clear are age, people who've got more than one other disease and male sex is a clear risk factor.
"Being a member of an ethnic minority group is less clear. I've had discussions with scientists about this in terms of trying to tease this apart.
"Also, we are looking very specifically at healthcare workers with leaders of the NHS. This is something we're very keen to get extremely clear. We've asked PHE to look at this in some detail and then what we really want, if we see any signal at all, we want to then know what next to do about it to minimise risk.
"This is not yet clear in terms of ethnic minorities."
In reaction to the government's decision to carry out a review, the council chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, said: "BAME deaths don't just happen in hospitals, they are prevalent in the community too. It's incredibly important that the government looks at the data and understands why this is happening."


birminghammail--2020-04-19--Unused supermarket food helping families survive coronavirus crisis

Birmingham charities are working together to turn 50 tonnes of excess food into vital supplies for the needy during the coronavirus outbreak .
The Active Wellbeing Society is coordinating the supply chain , along with The Real Junk Food Project Birmingham , which collects and distributes food .
A huge network of local groups are also part of the incredible operation with volunteers delivering food parcels for the # BrumTogether campaign , which aims to bring `` shared resources together to support those in need . ''
Over 2,300 requests have been made through the Active Wellbeing Society 's phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packages coming just before lockdown was introduced by the Government last month .
The mammoth operation is receiving up to 20 tonnes of donated food every week , mainly from supermarkets , along with 30 tonnes already in the system .
That combined food mass is roughly the equivalent weight of four double-decker buses .
A 72-year-old pensioner , who received a food delivery parcel , said she was `` totally gobsmacked and speechless with the kindness that is being offered . ''
While another user said the energy shown by volunteers `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and another said the supplies brought `` happy tears '' to her eyes .
`` It 's a fantastic collaboration between all the food organisations in the city , '' said Karen Creavin , the chief executive of the Active Wellbeing Society .
`` People like The Real Junk Food Project , FareShare , and a fantastic collaboration of faith groups and the Active Wellbeing Society all working together with a whole load of fantastic volunteers to get food out to the city through to the foodbanks or through to individuals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ food coming in a week .
That 's on top of 30 tonnes of donated food already in the system , but we 're making sure it goes out to all the people in need .
`` The good people of Birmingham can help by getting in touch with us .
There 's a form they can fill out online to offer their help to direct them into the most appropriate place .
`` We 're doing that on behalf of all the organisations that are working together in this way . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with partner organisations across the city to support those most in need during the Coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) outbreak . ''
Some of the other groups to take part in the operation includes Masjid Al FalaahBirmingham City CouncilAs-SuffaBVSC - Birmingham Voluntary Service CouncilAge UK BirminghamB31 VoicesBearded BrozAlum Rock Community ForumMAB YouthFareShare West MidlandsKings Heath Volunteers Network ( COVID-19 ) FoodCycle Birmingham LongbridgeGoodGym - BirminghamCotteridge ParkHobmoor Community CentreHaven CentreWitton Lodge Community Association '' Action is required to ensure those who are vulnerable and in need are supported by individuals and communities , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is already impacting those with underlying health conditions .
`` Like every crisis , working class-families and people on low-incomes are also likely to suffer the most . ''
The Active Wellbeing Society also offers virtual wellbeing activities and shares positive stories of people coming together to support each other .
The organisation has already set up a befriending service phone line for lonely people feeling isolated and vulnerable to talk through their feelings or are in need of urgent supplies .
`` It ’ s important to remember to take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body and to get support if you need it , '' the organisation said .
`` If you can , try and stay in touch with family and friends over the phone and through social media .
`` Regular communication and conversation will help us all stay connected during this time . ''
More information can be found at theaws.co.uk/friend or ring : 0121 728 7030 during office hours .

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Birmingham charities are working together to turn 50 tonnes of excess food into vital supplies for the needy during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Active Wellbeing Society is coordinating the supply chain, along with The Real Junk Food Project Birmingham, which collects and distributes food.
A huge network of local groups are also part of the incredible operation with volunteers delivering food parcels for the #BrumTogether campaign, which aims to bring "shared resources together to support those in need."
Over 2,300 requests have been made through the Active Wellbeing Society's phone line with pleas for support and food packages coming just before lockdown was introduced by the Government last month.
The mammoth operation is receiving up to 20 tonnes of donated food every week, mainly from supermarkets, along with 30 tonnes already in the system. That combined food mass is roughly the equivalent weight of four double-decker buses.
A 72-year-old pensioner, who received a food delivery parcel, said she was "totally gobsmacked and speechless with the kindness that is being offered."
While another user said the energy shown by volunteers "was like a breath of fresh air" and another said the supplies brought "happy tears" to her eyes.
"It's a fantastic collaboration between all the food organisations in the city," said Karen Creavin, the chief executive of the Active Wellbeing Society.
"People like The Real Junk Food Project, FareShare, and a fantastic collaboration of faith groups and the Active Wellbeing Society all working together with a whole load of fantastic volunteers to get food out to the city through to the foodbanks or through to individuals.
"We've got 20 tonnes of food coming in a week. That's on top of 30 tonnes of donated food already in the system, but we're making sure it goes out to all the people in need.
"The good people of Birmingham can help by getting in touch with us. There's a form they can fill out online to offer their help to direct them into the most appropriate place.
"We're doing that on behalf of all the organisations that are working together in this way."
It said they are "jointly working with partner organisations across the city to support those most in need during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak."
Some of the other groups to take part in the operation includes Masjid Al Falaah Birmingham City Council As-Suffa BVSC - Birmingham Voluntary Service Council Age UK Birmingham B31 Voices Bearded Broz Alum Rock Community Forum MAB Youth FareShare West Midlands Kings Heath Volunteers Network (COVID-19) FoodCycle Birmingham Longbridge GoodGym - Birmingham Cotteridge Park Hobmoor Community Centre Haven Centre Witton Lodge Community Association
"Action is required to ensure those who are vulnerable and in need are supported by individuals and communities," the Active Wellbeing Society said.
"The coronavirus is already impacting those with underlying health conditions.
"Like every crisis, working class-families and people on low-incomes are also likely to suffer the most."
The Active Wellbeing Society also offers virtual wellbeing activities and shares positive stories of people coming together to support each other.
The organisation has already set up a befriending service phone line for lonely people feeling isolated and vulnerable to talk through their feelings or are in need of urgent supplies.
"It’s important to remember to take care of your mind as well as your body and to get support if you need it," the organisation said.
"If you can, try and stay in touch with family and friends over the phone and through social media.
"Regular communication and conversation will help us all stay connected during this time."
More information can be found at theaws.co.uk/friend or ring: 0121 728 7030 during office hours.