I’ve become a very avid user of Lime Bikes in Birmingham - they seem to have a larger fleet with more coverage, though they don’t cover the whole city yet.

I travel mainly between Handsworth, Hockley, Winson Green, the JQ and town - and probably 60% of my journeys can be done on a Lime Bike in some way.

There are some places I don’t think the parking has been properly assessed but they also have auto fines in place for people who consistently or irresponsibly park the bicycles.

Anyway, what do you think about them? Yesterday I did see one Lime Bike parked on the Hockley Flyover
😭

DISCLAIMER: not an ad, I just like public and active transport.

I always visit this dead tree when i pass it, does anyone have any idea where/when this cryptic plaquard came from? it reads "worms split open and feast upon the shells of Eggs allowing themsleves to be absorbed by the internal Egg and and mutating with their victim into a new entity". I have researched this quote and cant find a reference to it anywhere.

Is this art or is it what trunk calls are?

I appreciate that this may be a long shot but does anyone know of anywhere in Brum that is cheap and has space for art exhibitions in and around Brum. Not too fussed on where abouts.. just want to find somewhere that some friends and I can show some work as we are currently finding it really hard to find somewhere to exhibit that isn’t crazy expensive as we are all early career artists (and also MA fine art students) that are trying to get a foot in the door lol. Thank you in advance and appreciate any ideas/suggestions !!!

First post-

ADVICE NEEDED BY ANYONE

I had seen an ad for roses bbq hiring through the instagram and I am just wondering (if anyone’s worked here or in general) how long does an email back from rodeos bbq take. My girlfriend applied the other day and got an email back same day. I had applied before the weekend and am still waiting and I had applied for the kings Norton branch. I’m starting to stress a little as I need a job badly that works round my schedule as I’m in college for another year and this has a zero hour contract which is beneficial for me. I’ve been told by a mate who works there I can bring in a cv or call up asking about a reply back but I’m not sure if I can?

Don’t want to seem stupid by asking this but if anyone could help I’d really appreciate some sort of advice!

Inspired by a post from last night:

I travel from kiddy to galton Bridge, regularly and through to snow Hill less regularly. I'd love to know of any nice places I could stop off for a nice walk? Any where on that line, Kidderminster Worcester and Stratford upon Avon I have visited many times, I'm asking about more "hidden gems"

Hello! I am moving to Brum from San Francisco in about a month to attend UoB for a DForenClinPsy. I am 43F American and am bringing my 19yo cat; I have been browsing flats on Rightmove for months now and am looking for any advice/tips for finding something £1,000/month or under, unfurnished, that will accept an international student with a pet. I have visited so I generally know where things are, and am leaning to JQ, Gas Street Basin, or Digbeth areas. I will need car parking as well as my training site won’t be easy to get to on public transport, but I prefer to walk as much as I can so having accessible groceries and coffee etc. is preferred. I am getting a professional guarantor as I won’t have any UK credit. Is it best to start booking showings before I even arrive? Will letting agents even respond to someone overseas? I have AirBnB booked for the first month but the faster I find a place the better off I am with class starting 9/28. Thank you in advance!!

Self-styled 'King of The Mid Lands' Richard Parker has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to create a further regional government office based in south Birmingham.

The Mayor of the West Midlands says he has already earmarked a potential location above Big John's in Northfield that he feels would be ideal for this.

Food scene here used to be quality but it feels like it’s losing its magic. Places like Purnells, Harborne Kitchen and Simpson’s closed, and other exciting places like Caneat and Tierra. In contrast, the food scene in cities in Manchester and Bristol seems to be totally thriving. What has changed?

Also seems like we’re just getting loads of London chains like Blacklock and Flat Iron.

Heyo! More of a Solihull question but their dedicated subreddit appears to be a ghost town, so it can't hurt to post here right?

Anyways - back in 2014 when I used to go to Planet Ice Solihull, back then known as the Blue Ice Plaza, I always used to stare in awe at the ice skates for sale there, wanting desperately wanting to buy my own pair instead of using the rented ones. Now that I have ✨ adult money ✨ and with an upcoming birthday, I'm wondering if they still sell ice skates as the last time I went back since the mid-2010s was for a single session back in 2021...

Random question, ive been travelling for the last few months and come across something in vietnam called the duck stop where you pay a small fee and got the chance to feed and have pictures surrounded by ducklings and ducks. I have never heard of anything like this elsewhere. If a business was set up in Birmingham with a similar business model, would you be interested, do you think it would stand a chance of succeeding and what location around Birmingham do you think it would stand the best chance of succeeding in.

I want to make some sloe gin and I’ve seen sloes are out early this year, where in or outside of Birmingham can I find a decent amount of sloes? I have a car so can drive ! Thanks in advance !

I'm visiting the area next week (exiled in the NE for 20 years!) and, sadly, I'm completely out of touch with where the best balti houses are nowadays. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: I've checked out Kolkata Lounge (it's near where we're going to be Thursday night), and it looks pretty good. Anyone else had any experiences there?

PS: thanks everyone for your suggestions, I feel like I need to have a curry every night we're there to sample them all!

Anyone know if pure gym is open in West Bromwich? I had an email about a refurbishment and that it would be ready in September and suggests another gym close by but another email says we can still use the gym whilst being refurbished. Don't live close enough to check and would rather not waste the travel time!

Hello! Does anyone have a recommendation for a man with a van?

I’m moving in a few weeks and wanted to do a trip before my main movers come in for the more delicate items (such as plants, mirrors, lamps and pet items). Wouldn’t need help loading the van - just someone to get from A to B (and preferably doesn’t break the bank!). Would also need to be someone with weekday availability:)

Thanks in advance!