Olley's Oracles
New vlog: don’t miss the cherry blossom on Westside
28th March 2023 - News / Olley's Oracles / by Mike Olley
It’s one of the wonders of Westside, the cherry blossom in Oozells Square, Brindleyplace. Every year they never fail to please, such is ...Read more
Vlog: we mainly built ICC for Labour, so it’s time they had their conference here
22nd March 2023 - News / Olley's Oracles / by DanielDyson
More than three decades after the ICC was erected on Westside, business leader MIKE OLLEY asks why the Labour Party has never held its c...Read more
NEW VLOG: Hunt’s lukewarm beer jokes are just not funny for the hospitality sector
16th March 2023 - Olley's Oracles / by DanielDyson
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt may have played to the audience with his ‘Big Budget’, but it was in fact utter silence on any real support for t...Read more
Mike Olley Celebrates International Nappping day, Mother’s Day, and St.Patricks Day
13th March 2023 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
Lets face it there is nothing like a bit of a nap in the afternoon. Recharges the batteries and makes you a finer, all round highe...Read more
NEW VLOG: watch Enoch in action with our super clean, green machine!
1st March 2023 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY explains how street warden Enoch has another top job … driving a Green Machine that keeps the distri...Read more
We’re celebrating the World Cup here on Westside, despite Qatar’s outdated anti-gay laws
22nd November 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
While Qatar’s laws against gay couples are abhorrent, it’s not stopping venues on Westside from screening every World Cup match to foste...Read more
‘If you see Sid, tell him!’ How energy nationalisation is making us all poorer
1st September 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
With energy prices going through the roof, the rich get richer while the poor get poorer – and Westside businesses are suffering too. We...Read more
Joseph Sturge of Broad Street: his family business helped abolish slavery
8th August 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by DanielDyson
To any passers-by, 264 and 265 Broad Street are simply a bar with a curry house upstairs. But the history behind these bricks and mortar...Read more
The buses are back and carrying passengers again on Westside’s Broad Street
27th June 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
After nearly five years of disruption from the Metro tram extension, the good old omnibus is back in town. Westside business leader MIKE...Read more
Westside BID not impressed at Western Power’s delays and lack of communication
13th June 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by DanielDyson
When Westside BID came across a dangerous hole in the road, it expected swift action from Western Power, the utility company responsible...Read more
EXCLUSIVE: Tony Iommi makes special guest vlog recording for Olley’s Oracle
9th June 2022 - News / Olley's Oracles / by Tony Iommi
He’s the world-famous lead guitarist and founder member of Black Sabbath. Now the Birmingham-born rocker TONY IOMMI has recorded a speci...Read more
Wake up to a range of healthy coffee venues on Westside
31st May 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
From Caffè Nero to Costa Coffee, and from Starbucks to Lavatté, Westside offers a full range of coffee venues. Westside business leader ...Read more
Our man Olley gets the A to Z of X + why during a visit to their innovative workspaces
26th May 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
X + why are on a mission to create flexible workspaces for purpose-driven businesses. Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY dropped in to ...Read more
It’s a close shave for our man Olley at a Turkish barbers on Westside
16th May 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
What used to be a short-back and sides is now a trim, cut-throat shave, hot towel and face massage. Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY ...Read more
Meet Commodore Steve and Turnip the dog as our man Olley goes GoBoating
9th May 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
Imagine collecting hundreds of plastic bottles and creating a boat for fun days out in the sun. Well now you can! New GoBoats are availa...Read more
On the buses: Westside’s visitors will soon be enjoying modern and dependable omnibus
21st April 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by DanielDyson
While everyone loves talking about the progress offered by the Metro tram extension along Broad Street, Westside business leader MIKE OL...Read more
Phew! After years of disruption, Metro tram finally spotted back in Centenary Square
12th April 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
It’s not carrying passengers yet, as testing is still being carried out. But Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY is hopeful that shiny n...Read more
Praising the brave pioneers behind controversial road charging plans in the West Midlands
6th April 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
As elected mayor Andy Street and city leader Ian Ward discuss road charging, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY argues that their actio...Read more
Alfredo impresses Westside boss with his frothy logo coffee maker
1st April 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
As a kid I only drank tea, writes Mike Olley. It was really the only hot beverage available. As a mature male I have taken a shine to...Read more
Thanks Rishi … but you could have done a lot better for businesses in your mini-budget
25th March 2022 - News / Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY has been scrutinising chancellor Rishi Sunak’s latest handouts to help struggling businesses and vul...Read more
How war in Ukraine means a Westside worker is pretending not to be a Russian
22nd March 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
Putin’s invasion has Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY thinking about nationalities, and hoping that peace comes soon so that everyone...Read more
MPs: we don’t need new laws to tackle drink-spiking, but we do need more bobbies
10th March 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
MP Richard Graham has been so moved by how one of his constituents suffered from drink-spiking that he is campaigning for a new law. But...Read more
VLOG: The book that saw me fall in love with its author for her vision of a world without men
3rd March 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
To celebrate the forthcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY introduces us to a novel set in a...Read more
Let’s not forget gritty truth behind dramatic licence of Windrush
16th February 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
As the Birmingham Rep celebrates the vibrant reggae of the Windrush generation, Westside leader MIKE OLLEY reminds us that it wasn’t suc...Read more
A shout out for the Birmingham Film Festival as it emerges from Covid
11th February 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY welcomes one and all back to Westside after Covid … including the creative entertainers behind the B...Read more
A note on Boris Johnson’s badly faked sincerity and nonsense apologies
20th January 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the Conservative government hurtles towards more ridicule, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY explains just how stupid the prime min...Read more
The true cost of the long-delayed Westside tram could be trebling
13th January 2022 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
With Midland Metro Alliance bosses unable to say when their trams will be finally carrying passengers along Broad Street, Westside busin...Read more
Banking, nightlife, Covid rules and memorial services: no two days are the same on Westside
13th December 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside is a banking centre as well as the largest entertainment district in the Midlands, which means almost no day is the same. MIKE ...Read more
REVIEW: Morecambe and Wise’s stage show left a resonating joy in my heart
8th December 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside’s blogging reviewer MIKE OLLEY enjoys classic comedy watching The Play What I Wrote at the Rep, which included a cameo performa...Read more
It’s that WOW-erful time of the year on Westside
3rd December 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Most people are getting ready for Christmas, but Westside BID team members are busy organising the district’s WOWs awards for January. M...Read more
Tony, Bev, Jasper and Ray: a real ‘stars in his eyes’ week for our man on Westside
24th November 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
From Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi to 1970s Aston Villa star Ray Graydon; and from another old rocker Bev Bevan to renowned comedian Jasper...Read more
Climate change scaremongering is not always accurate, but it’s helping us all to change
16th November 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As world leaders make their Cop26 commitments, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY explains why the worst-case environmental scenarios p...Read more
Touring the big wheel and ice rink that has returned to Birmingham’s Centenary Square
5th November 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
The big wheel reaches 40 metres high, while The Flyer can spin at 14 revolutions a minute, and the ice rink has skates ready for everyon...Read more
You just gotta laugh! Comedy shows have returned to Westside
28th October 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
After more than 18 months of Covid-19, we all need a laugh. And Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY got just that when he enjoyed a nigh...Read more
Meet the unsung heroes of Brindleyplace – the security team who keep it really safe
21st October 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside BID leader MIKE OLLEY describes how security in Birmingham has changed over the decades and introduces us to the security team ...Read more
We work hard to keep everyone safe on Westside – even unpleasant characters like racist Sharna Walker
13th October 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
With the safety of women in public spaces firmly in the national spotlight, MIKE OLLEY reveals that even the woman who caused criminal d...Read more
The curtains are coming up at theatres again! And The Rep is leading the way
4th October 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WSBadmin
As theatres plan a future that both keeps people safe and drives their business, Westside’s MIKE OLLEY introduces us to The Rep’s plans,...Read more
Freshers’ week: a time when Westside becomes one of the love capitals of the world
29th September 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As tens of thousands of freshers descend on Broad Street, business leader MIKE OLLEY describes how Westside looks after its new customer...Read more
Celebrating Tristan Price, who exemplifies just how well Westside’s door staff do their jobs
20th September 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
While most nightlife visitors are ‘sober, mild mannered and behave impeccably’, Westside business leader Mike Olley explains how the are...Read more
Why new ‘nightclub’ restrictions could actually mean: ‘be vaccinated or stay at home’
10th September 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the government announces new Covid-19 ‘passport’ arrangements, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY challenges what they mean by ‘high...Read more
From Commonwealth Games to Commonwealth nations, we’re proud of Birmingham’s links
28th June 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY explains why he’s feeling privileged to have made a new friend in the high commissioner of Pakistan ...Read more
On yer bike, Transport for West Midlands! Help us to help you keep an eye on your cycles
21st June 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the new green bicycles start littering Birmingham’s streets, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY calls for a simple helpline from TfW...Read more
We must act now to prevent a new Windrush-style scandal hitting our EU workers
14th June 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY calls on all EU nationals working on Westside to get busy with their paperwork for settled status – ...Read more
Olley declares Churchillian war of words after hitting WiFi brick wall on Westside
7th June 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Annoyed by a self-congratulatory but inaccurate press release about Openreach’s Wifi and broadband ‘achievements’, Westside business lea...Read more
Doorman who displayed calm response to alleged racist abuse is a credit to Westside
1st June 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As police carefully investigate woman said to be involved in shocking racist incident on Broad Street, business leader MIKE OLLEY warns ...Read more
‘Come on, England!’ Hospitality venues getting busier on Westside ahead of Euro 2020
25th May 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the UK steadily emerges from lockdown, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY celebrates his birthday at a top restaurant and starts get...Read more
It’s a big Westside welcome to the ‘1st Birmingham Commonwealth Games’
18th May 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
From jobs to new housing, and from road improvements to renovating the Alexander Stadium. Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY reports on...Read more
Please, Birmingham City Council … rethink the Clean Air Zone’s timing and fining
10th May 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the city rushes into the new Clean Air Zone era, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY asks its leaders to slow down its introduction, ...Read more
Brexit means Brexit … but it also means more blue-chip firms heading to Brum
30th April 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Despite the fears of ‘Remainers’ in the Brexit debate, not all the talent that’s leaving London is moving abroad. Westside business lead...Read more
Olley rides again, and watches new venues opening in vacated spaces across Westside
23rd April 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As the Westside BID team delivers crucial goods around the district on their new cargo bikes, business leader MIKE OLLEY witnesses the a...Read more
Olley’s ‘magical mystery tour’ around Brindleyplace
19th April 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As Westside emerges from lockdown, business leader MIKE OLLEY gets all ‘love me do’ over the UK’s top slice of real estate. As youngs...Read more
Politicians and authorities praised for helping more Westside venues to reopen outside
1st April 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
After months of planning, new outside hospitality spaces have been agreed in principle in and around Broad Street. Westside business lea...Read more
Oy, taggers! Hands off our new Banksy (even if it is pee-ing on a wall in Gas Street Basin)
25th March 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
It’s less than a knee high, painted in black and grey, with a bright splash of urine yellow. But Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY exp...Read more
Restaurateurs demand upfront payment to stop ‘no shows’ closing them down
17th March 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Thoughtless customers casually deciding not to turn up after booking restaurant tables have prompted a tough response from venues strugg...Read more
From Blue Peter-style cut-out to the world-famous Black Sabbath ‘heavy metal’ bench
12th March 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
As Broad Street gets spruced up ready for its reopening after lockdown, Westside business leader MIKE OLLEY recalls how one of the distr...Read more
The budget in five words: jam today but Marmite tomorrow
4th March 2021 - Olley's Oracles / by WestsideTeam
Chancellor Rishi Sunak played a careful balance in this week’s budget. Plenty more COVID-19 assistance this year, but the harsh reality ...Read more