Inside the New Foley Arms: £270,000 Makeover Brings Big-Match Atmosphere to Sutton Coldfield

The Foley Arms has reopened following a £270,000 refurbishment, bringing a new sports-focused experience to Sutton Coldfield, complete with giant screens, upgraded sound, refreshed food and drink menus, and a celebration of local sporting achievements.

The popular pub reopened on Tuesday 28 October 2026 as one of Marston’s new Grandstand sports pubs, a concept designed to bring the excitement and atmosphere of major sporting occasions into the local pub.

A Grandstand Experience

The transformation includes multiple large television screens, a state-of-the-art sound system and flexible tiered seating, designed to give customers excellent views of the sporting action.

The beer garden has also received a makeover, with additional screens allowing visitors to enjoy live sport outdoors.

Customers can order food and drinks through Marston’s Order & Pay app, meaning they won’t have to miss a crucial goal, try or winning moment.

From Premier League football and international rugby to Formula 1, cricket, tennis, darts and horse racing, the Foley Arms plans to screen a wide range of major sporting fixtures.

For those who prefer to take part rather than watch, the pub also offers regulation dartboards and pool tables, with competition leagues and free-to-play sessions planned throughout the week.

Celebrating Sutton Coldfield’s Sporting Heritage

One particularly interesting feature of the refurbishment is the pub’s commitment to celebrating local sporting achievements.

The Foley Arms is inviting local sports clubs, teams and individuals to contribute photographs and memorabilia that could be displayed on its walls.

It’s an opportunity to recognise Sutton Coldfield’s sporting heritage, from grassroots clubs and community teams to the achievements of local sporting personalities.

Local teams can also enquire about the pub’s new Black Card, offering bottomless fries during team visits and additional rewards following a win.

A Fresh Food and Drink Offering

The refurbishment brings an updated menu featuring traditional pub favourites alongside lighter bites suitable for sharing while watching the action.

Customers can choose from dishes including chicken wings, nachos, fish and chips, burgers and grills.

The drinks range has also been refreshed, with draught beers available in two-pint cups.

A Community Celebration

The reopening was officially marked by Councillor Alan Fleming, Mayor of Walsall, who pulled the first pint as the pub’s Community Hero.

Having grown up in Streetly, Councillor Fleming has longstanding connections with the local area.

Marston’s selected the Foley Arms for its Grandstand transformation in recognition of its links with local sports teams, community organisations and charities.

Shaun Hayes, Marston’s Operations Manager, said:

“We’re so excited to show off the new and improved pub!”

He added that the new technology, food and drink offers and events would help create a big-event atmosphere for customers.

More Than Just Match Day

While live sport is central to the new Grandstand concept, the Foley Arms is also positioning itself as a place for friends, families, local clubs and community groups to meet and socialise.

With its refurbished surroundings, new facilities and continuing community connections, the pub hopes to welcome both regular customers and new visitors.

The Foley Arms reopened on 28 October 2026.

For further information, upcoming sporting fixtures or table bookings, visit:

https://www.foleyarmspub.co.uk/

Are you involved with a local sports club? Why not get in touch with the Foley Arms about contributing photographs or memorabilia to help celebrate Sutton Coldfield’s sporting history?

“Images courtesy of Marston’s / The Foley Arms”

Coffee with a Cause: St Giles Hospice Opens Café 83 at Barton Marina

A new café is preparing to welcome visitors to Barton Marina this November — and every cup of coffee will help support a very special cause.

There is something rather lovely about enjoying a coffee beside the water, watching the boats drift past and taking a little time out from the bustle of everyday life.

From Thursday 5 November 2026, visitors to Barton Marina will have another reason to stop and stay awhile, as St Giles Hospice opens Café 83, its very first café venture.

But this isn’t simply another place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or a slice of cake. Café 83 has a much bigger purpose: helping to generate vital income to support the hospice’s care for local people and their loved ones.

A Name with a Special Meaning

The name Café 83 is a tribute to 1983, the year St Giles Hospice was founded.

More than four decades later, the hospice continues to provide care and support to people across Staffordshire, North Birmingham and surrounding communities.

The new café represents an exciting step in the charity’s efforts to develop sustainable ways of funding that work.

With increasing demand for hospice services, ventures such as Café 83 offer people another simple, enjoyable way to make a difference.

Coffee, Cake and a Waterside View

Situated beside the Mooring and Boat Sales building at Barton Marina, Café 83 will enjoy a quieter position overlooking the moored canal boats.

With seating for 40 people, the café promises a welcoming place for residents, walkers, boaters, families and visitors exploring the marina.

The menu will include breakfast and lunchtime favourites such as bacon and sausage sandwiches, toast, teacakes, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, baguettes and sausage rolls.

There will also be cakes, hot and cold drinks, a children’s menu and an all-day selection, with bar snacks available during the evening.

And there’s good news for dog owners too: four-legged visitors will be welcome, with water and treats provided.

More Than Just a Café

St Giles hopes Café 83 will become a popular gathering place for the local community.

As well as everyday visits, the venue will be available to hire for private celebrations, including birthdays and baby showers.

The venture also marks an important development in the hospice’s fundraising activities, complementing its network of charity shops throughout the region.

Every purchase will help contribute towards the charity’s work supporting people living with terminal illnesses and their loved ones.

Opening Day — And a Free Coffee!

Café 83 officially opens on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 10am, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

And there’s an extra little treat for early visitors!

The first 50 customers through the door on opening day will receive a free coffee.

It’s a lovely way to celebrate the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new chapter for St Giles Hospice.

A Café Worth Supporting

Whether you’re taking a stroll around Barton Marina, meeting friends for lunch or simply fancy a peaceful coffee beside the boats, Café 83 offers a wonderful reason to visit.

And knowing that your visit is helping support local hospice care makes that coffee taste just a little sweeter.

We wish everyone at St Giles Hospice and Café 83 every success with their new venture.

Visiting Café 83

Location: Barton Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire

Opening: Thursday 5 November 2026, from 10am

Regular opening: Seven days a week — individual daily hours to be confirmed

Dog-friendly: Yes

Website: https://cafe83.co.uk

Further information: https://www.stgileshospice.com/news/cafe-83-barton-marina/

What’s On in My Town — celebrating local businesses, community initiatives and the people making a difference.

Popular Sutton Coldfield pub ASH closes for £200,000 refurbishment

Popular Birmingham Road venue set to reopen on Thursday 12 November under new ownership.

A popular Sutton Coldfield pub is preparing for a fresh new chapter following the announcement of a £200,000 refurbishment.

ASH, located on Birmingham Road in the heart of Sutton Coldfield, has been acquired by Valiant Pub Company and temporarily closed its doors on Monday 26 October.

The refurbishment will give the venue a refreshed appearance, with customers expected to be welcomed back on Thursday 12 November 2026.

A familiar name with a fresh new look

Regular customers will be pleased to hear that the ASH name is staying, along with the food offering that has helped establish the venue as a popular local dining destination.

The investment marks another development in Sutton Coldfield’s hospitality scene, bringing new ownership and a substantial refurbishment to the town centre.

Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID welcomed the announcement and expressed enthusiasm for the venue’s next chapter.

Reopening in November

With work now underway, local residents won’t have too long to wait before they can return to the refurbished pub.

ASH Sutton Coldfield

8 Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QD

Expected reopening: Thursday 12 November 2026

Keep following What’s On in My Town for more local business news and developments across Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth.

Marks & Spencer launches recruitment drive for new Lichfield distribution centre

Major investment expected to bring around 600 jobs to the area as new automated facility prepares for 2027 opening.

Marks & Spencer has begun recruiting staff for its major new distribution centre in Lichfield, marking another important step in the retailer’s investment in the area.

The new 437,000 sq ft automated facility will support M&S’s fashion operations, with approximately 600 jobs expected to be created when the centre becomes fully operational in 2027.

More than 70 vacancies are already being advertised, offering opportunities for local people to become part of the new operation ahead of its opening.

The development represents a significant boost for Lichfield’s local economy, bringing employment opportunities and further investment to the area.

Alongside the distribution centre, Marks & Spencer is also developing a new foodhall in Lichfield, which is expected to create approximately 70 additional jobs.

With recruitment now underway, the project is moving closer to becoming a major new employer in the district.

Looking for a new opportunity? Anyone interested in working for Marks & Spencer can explore current vacancies through the company’s official careers website.

What’s On in My Town – Bringing you the latest business and community news from Lichfield and the surrounding area.

Free Halloween Spookfest Takes Over Tamworth’s Ankerside Shopping Centre Today

Halloween celebrations are getting underway in Tamworth today, Saturday 17 October 2026, as Darkside Markets brings its Spookfest event to Ankerside Shopping Centre.

The free event runs from 9am until 5pm, offering visitors the chance to explore an unusual collection of independent traders and Halloween-inspired products.

More than 30 alternative traders from across the Midlands and beyond are expected to take part.

A celebration of everything spooky

Spookfest promises a shopping experience with a difference, celebrating gothic styles, unusual handmade creations and the more imaginative side of Halloween.

Visitors can browse stalls offering distinctive products that may not be found in conventional high street shops.

The market is designed to appeal to fans of alternative fashion, gothic culture and Halloween-themed merchandise.

Supporting independent traders

The event also provides an opportunity to discover small independent businesses and creative makers.

Markets such as Spookfest offer traders a chance to introduce their products to new customers while bringing additional activity into the town centre.

With free admission, the event is accessible to anyone interested in browsing the stalls.

Event details

Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Time: 9am–5pm
Venue: Ankerside Shopping Centre, George Street, Tamworth, B79 7LG
Admission: Free

Visitors can find further details through the Ankerside Shopping Centre website.

Lichfield City Centre Bucks National Trend as Shop Vacancies Fall by More Than a Third

Lichfield city centre is showing encouraging signs of resilience, with newly publicised figures revealing that the number of empty retail premises has fallen by more than a third since 2021.

Figures released by Lichfield District Council show that just 16 of the city’s 311 retail premises were vacant in June 2025, compared with 25 in April 2021.

That represents a vacancy rate of approximately 5%, significantly below the national high street average of 13.5% quoted by the council.

The findings offer encouraging news for local traders at a time when many British town and city centres continue to face challenges from changing shopping habits and competition from online retailers.

Investment in Lichfield’s future

Lichfield District Council leader Councillor Doug Pullen has welcomed the figures, pointing to investment in the city centre and improvements to public spaces as important parts of the council’s approach.

The authority believes its ongoing regeneration programme is helping make Lichfield an attractive destination for businesses, residents and visitors.

The planned Everyman cinema development is also expected to strengthen the city’s leisure and entertainment offering.

By providing additional reasons for people to visit the centre, the council hopes to support existing retailers, restaurants and hospitality businesses.

Supporting local businesses

Independent shops, established retailers, cafés and restaurants all contribute to Lichfield’s distinctive character.

The vacancy figures provide a positive indication of the city’s retail position, although they represent a snapshot from June 2025 rather than a current count of occupied premises.

The council has also indicated that its regeneration ambitions extend beyond Lichfield, with £1.2 million earmarked for improvements in Burntwood.

For Lichfield’s businesses, the latest report offers an encouraging reminder of the importance of a thriving and attractive city centre.

Image – Lichfield Live

Verified by MonsterInsights