New vlog: don’t miss the cherry blossom on Westside

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

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

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

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!

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We’re celebrating the World Cup here on Westside, despite Qatar’s outdated anti-gay laws

We’re celebrating the World Cup here on Westside, despite Qatar’s outdated anti-gay laws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

‘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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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’

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘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’

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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