The countdown is on for the Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival to welcome back music fans for another ten jazz-packed days. Europe’s largest free jazz party is returning to the region on Friday 16 July until Sunday 25 July to celebrate its 37th consecutive year.

Businesses will be able to apply to hold an event in the 2021 Black Country Business Festival (BCBF) from Wednesday 28 April.

Good news for the borough – planning approval has been granted for housing plans on the site of a former quarry and disused tip in West Bromwich. The development will include affordable homes and much needed housing within reach of local amenities, facilities and with good transport links.

Sandwell firm Kee Safety has completed a management buy-out deal, marking the end of a ten year partnership with a private equity firm and is now looking forward to the next stage of its growth journey.

Business funding firm Capify has unveiled a £50m fund aimed at supporting SMEs to recover as lockdown eases.

Local businesses are being encouraged to apply for the next round of the Peer to Peer Networks Programme.

Lord Combustion Services in Oldbury has two very good reasons to celebrate – the company has been shortlisted for two awards and is looking forward to its 40th anniversary.

Monday (12 April) sees the next step in the easing of coronavirus restrictions, with many businesses serving the public allowed to reopen. As you prepare to welcome people back into your workplace, here are some useful things you may not know about yet.

A series of webinar events focused on helping manufacturers and digital technology companies is taking place from Wednesday 14 April to Tuesday 29 June. The aim behind the webinars is to help companies make manufacturing smarter.