9 - 2026 | Chalmers News PR

Review: San Carlo’s Sunday Lunch, Birmingham

Posted on September 18, 2026 by admin

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

San Carlo Birmingham’s new Sunday Lunch menu brings a touch of Italian sophistication to one of Britain’s most beloved rituals – the roast.

Served in the elegant Temple Street dining room, the experience feels both indulgent and unhurried, designed for long, sociable afternoons that stretch into early evening.

The family‑owned San Carlo group has reimagined the traditional roast with its signature flair for premium ingredients and polished presentation. The menu mirrors that of sister restaurant Fumo, offering a contemporary twist on the British staple – hearty yet refined, with unmistakable Mediterranean finesse.

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

Each roast is served with rosemary‑and‑thyme potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and rich gravy – with the option to add creamy cauliflower cheese for extra comfort – because, why not?

You can choose from Half Roast Chicken, Lamb Rump, Rib of Beef or even T‑Bone Steak for Two – designed for sharing, this dish embodies San Carlo’s convivial spirit and love of a big appetite!

Desserts, of course, continue the Italian theme – think pistachio torta or the indulgent torta setteveli, a seven‑layered chocolate‑hazelnut dream!

Although, for me, the lure of the vanilla cheesecake is always a difficult one to ignore – and it did not disappoint.

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

The Temple Street restaurant exudes timeless elegance: marble surfaces, crisp linens, and a hum of conversation that feels distinctly cosmopolitan. Service is attentive but relaxed, encouraging diners to linger over cocktails or a glass of Barolo. But resist the food at your peril. This menu has always one for savouring – and now with the addition of everyone’s Sunday favourite – every day is a great day to visit San Carlo!

San Carlo, Birmingham, Sunday Lunch

San Carlo’s Sunday Lunch is a masterclass in balance – British comfort meets Italian sophistication. Perfect for family gatherings, catch‑ups with friends, or a leisurely date, this new menu elevates the humble roast into something truly bellissimo.

Visit sancarlo.co.uk

David completes IRONMAN Challenge in memory of late mum

Posted on September 17, 2026September 17, 2026 by admin

David Blick, Warwickshire Gin Company, IRONMAN — David proudly displays his IRONMAN medal.

When Leamington’s David Blick crossed the finish line of one of the toughest triathlons in the world, on Sunday, there were thousands of people cheering him on – but he had only one person on his mind – his late mum.

The 53-year-old completed the IRONMAN Wales in Tenby in just over 16 hours and powering him on through every 140 miles of the gruelling challenge was the memory of Maggie, who died after a battle with breast cancer just a few months earlier.

David, who has now completed six Ironman Challenges, was one of more than 3,000 athletes, professionals and amateurs, who joined in one of Wales’ biggest sporting events which included the 112-mile (180.2 km) bike course.

He is now hoping to further build on the £2,000 already raised for Breast Cancer Research.

He said: “The swim started at 7:30am and, despite the rain, the atmosphere was incredible. The crowds and support around Tenby were absolutely epic and gave everyone a huge lift from the moment we entered the water.

“Then came the bike. Wet, windy and relentlessly hilly. The descents were particularly sketchy with greasy roads and difficult conditions. Speed wasn’t important today, staying upright was. Fortunately, I managed to do that and just kept grinding it out mile after mile all 7.5 hours of it.

“The run was where it really became a battle. The rain eased to mostly drizzle, but my foot started hurting badly. In the end, I walked much of the run and all of the last seven miles. At that point it was simply about determination and getting to the finish line. 6.5 hours of torture.”

He added: “Throughout those final miles, I kept thinking that a few hours of pain was nothing compared to what my mum went through for months during her fight with breast cancer. Whenever things got tough, I reminded myself to just keep moving forward and get over that finish line.

“The support on the course is absolutely nuts – you have to be there to experience it, but it feels like all of Wales is there behind you – just incredible and you feel like a superstar for a few hours!”

This IRONMAN marked a return to the town where the inspiration for David’s award-winning Warwickshire Gin Company was born. It was his visit to Tenby Gin in 2018 which inspired his journey to entrepreneurship prompting him to leave his retail and logistics career of 28 years to launch a distillery business in Leamington.

Reflecting on his challenge, David added: “Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout the training and on race day. From over 3,000 miles on the bike and 500 miles in my trainers, right through to the finish line, your encouragement meant more than you’ll ever know.

“Just over 16 hours in total, not my quickest – it wasn’t about breaking records though. I was never going to be back to my best eight years after doing the last one, and with the other challenges on the day, I’m just incredibly grateful to have completed it. This one was for Mum.”

Donate to David’s fundraiser page HERE.

Review: Heathers, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Posted on September 16, 2026 by admin

The Belgrade Theatre detonates a riotous blast of dark comedy, killer harmonies, and high‑school havoc with Heathers – a production that embraces the show’s cult status while delivering a slick, high‑voltage night of theatre.

It’s bold, brazen, and wickedly fun, but beneath the neon chaos lies a surprisingly incisive look at teenage pressure, identity, and the seductive pull of rebellion.

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is, until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

Based on the iconic 1989 cult film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers first premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 to sold-out audiences before transferring to New York’s New World Stages in 2014. The show was reimagined for its 2018 London debut, featuring new songs and updated script.

This latest production thrives on performance. Veronica Sawyer is played by Gerardine Sacdalan with irresistible charm and emotional clarity – smart, conflicted, and vocally superb. Her journey from eager outsider to morally torn accomplice is paced with real nuance, grounding the show’s wildest moments in something recognisably human.

Opposite her, JD, played by Louis Hearsey, is both magnetic and unsettling, his descent from brooding misfit to full‑blown menace handled with chilling precision, giving the production its darker, more psychologically charged edge.

And then there are the Heathers – three technicolour tyrants who dominate the stage with razor‑sharp timing and deliciously exaggerated cruelty. The trio of Liberty Stottor, Jessica Ibadin and Lou Henry bring their own flavour of venom, and together they form a gloriously toxic trio that the audience can’t help but relish.

The Belgrade’s staging is fast, fluid, and unapologetically stylised. Bright blocks of colour, sharp lighting cues, and clever transitions keep the energy high while echoing the show’s comic‑book aesthetic. The choreography is tight and playful, leaning into the satire without ever losing polish.

What makes Heathers endure is its ability to juggle humour with uncomfortable truths. This production doesn’t shy away from the show’s darker undercurrents – bullying, toxic popularity, teen mental health, and the romanticisation of danger. Instead, it threads them through the comedy with a knowing wink, allowing the audience to laugh while still feeling the sting.

The tonal shifts are handled with care, ensuring the satire never trivialises the subject matter. It’s a tricky balance, but the Belgrade’s company lands it.

It’s a production that understands the show’s cult appeal (even when it comes to managing the queues for the merchandise stand!) while giving it fresh theatrical bite.

But it may not be to everyone’s taste so be sure to read up on the subject matter first, especially if you are triggered by the subject of suicide.

As a production, it’s a darkly delicious triumph that leaves Coventry humming, laughing, and maybe reflecting a little too.

Heathers plays at The Belgrade Theatre until Saturday. Book HERE.

Former editor bags sixth national award for her PR agency

Posted on September 8, 2026September 8, 2026 by admin

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

Amanda Chalmers, has been listed among the SME Midlands Enterprise Awards winners for her PR agency.

Chalmers News PR was named as The Best PR & Marketing Agency in the West Midlands 2026 when the roll of honour weas revealed last week.

The news brings Amanda’s impressive national awards tally to six, since launching her Warwick-based business almost eight years ago after five years as the first female editor of independent The Stratford Herald.

Awards Coordinator Daniel Griffin, said: “For nearly a decade, the Midlands Enterprise Awards have shone a spotlight on the SMEs that form the backbone of the regional economy. From ambitious start-ups to long established local champions, this programme exists to recognise the innovation, resilience, and determination that small and medium-sized enterprises bring to the Midlands every single day.

“SMEs do far more than drive revenue. They create jobs, strengthen communities, and push industries forward with fresh thinking and fearless ideas. These awards are our way of saying that their work matters and deserves to be celebrated loudly.

“The aim of this programme is to champion this varied region and celebrate the businesses it encompasses, and we believe we have once again done this in the 2026 instalment of the awards.

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

They added: “Both the West Midlands and the East Midlands are represented, and whether a business is a bustling enterprise in the heart of a major city or a one-person operation in a small town, we are delighted to recognise all of their contributions to both their industry and the local communities.

“Here at SME News, we pride ourselves on the validity of our awards and the winners we select for them. Awards are given solely on merit, provided to those deserving of acclaim for their hard work and ingenuity.

The former journalist’s 30 years in the regional press, culminated with a stint in the Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald editor’s chair between 2014 and 2018, before launching the agency, which specialises in affordable cross-sector PR for small businesses and start-ups as well as charities and not-for-profits.

It also follows hot on the heels of her recently celebrating being named among the Top 10 Businesses From Home in the UK Small Business Awards, as well as Influential Woman In Business in the Innervision Media Awards; and receiving the Ladies First Excellence In Media Award in 2023 and 2025 and the Woman Who Awards ‘Achieves In Media’ category gong in 2024.

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, SME Award

Amanda worked on newsdesks in and around Warwickshire, including the former Nuneaton Tribune and Rugby Advertiser, and, as deputy editor at the Daventry Express and Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser series before joining the Herald.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud to once again be recognised nationally for my work and am so grateful to those who continue to nominate me, support me and champion my success.

“Awards are wonderful – and all the recent accolades are testament to the hard work that’s gone in to building the agency from the ground up – but the most rewarding part of my own journey of growth as an entrepreneur, is the countless number of small business owners and charity founders it’s brought me into contact with. It’s their energy, vision and drive that inspire me to succeed every day. And long may that continue!”

To learn more about the Midlands Enterprise Awards and access the full list of winners visit HERE.

SECONDHAND SEPTEMBER: Shop till you drop to help other women rise again

Posted on September 4, 2026 by admin

The Esther Project, pre-loved shop, Leamington, Secondhand September

A Leamington group that works with vulnerable women in the community is encouraging shoppers to get behind Secondhand September this year.

In the first half of 2026 almost 7,500 items have found new homes through The Esther Project’s pre-loved shop, which opened its doors in Gloucester Street in December.

The unit is an extension of the CiC which also runs Esther House, a seven-bed supported living accommodation and is also used as a women’s hub and incorporates a workspace and counselling room. It works alongside a neighbouring building which acts as a donation point for the shop.

Lisa Nicolle, from The Esther Project, said each item sold tells a story.

“There’s much more going on behind each purchase. Someone has donated that item, our volunteers have sorted and prepared it, someone else gets to enjoy it, and the money it raises comes back into Esther. One bag of clothes can do a surprising amount of good,” she said.

The Esther Project, pre-loved shop, Leamington, Secondhand September — **Fiona Moon at the Esther Shop.**

“This Secondhand September, The Esther Project is encouraging more people to discover the benefits of shopping pre-loved – from finding something unique and affordable to supporting a local organisation making a difference in Warwickshire. And plenty of people are already doing just that.

“There’s something brilliant about pre-loved. You can come in with £10 and leave with two or more things you really love – and you never know what you’re going to find.”

The shop sells everything from everyday clothes and children’s items to vintage pieces, designer labels, shoes, accessories and household finds. And value is a big part of its appeal. The average item sold this year costing less than £4, with more than eight in ten items selling for £5 or less.

But the shop couldn’t run without the local people who give their time to it. Volunteers help sort the steady stream of donations, prepare and price stock, create displays and keep the shop running day to day.

One of those is Fiona Moon, who has been involved in the project since it opened. She looks forward to her weekly shift in the shop and also offers ongoing admin support.

She said: “I have always wanted to give back to a local cause and make a difference to others. The Esther project supports vulnerable women at various stages of their journey due to trauma, through to recovery and independent living. It is a joy to see the difference that mine and other volunteers’ time and effort makes to ladies who are each on their journey of recovery.

“The shop is a great vehicle to make a difference. The days are hugely varied and you never stop learning. You could be talking to our general customers and donors about the project and how their generosity makes a difference, talking to the community police that come into the shop regularly to check up on ladies they know of in the local area, supporting the women that come into the shop with needs and helping to create a calm nurturing environment for the Esther ladies to feel supported and valued. Being part of an organisation that makes such a difference is both rewarding and humbling.

She added: “I always tell people thinking of volunteering, whatever your skills or motivation, if you have the time to give, it really does make a difference and that it is such a rewarding thing to do. You meet great like-minded women who inspire and become part of a small community of women who make a difference to the ladies that are given another chance at life.”

The Esther Project Women of Worth CIC, is a Community Interest Company supporting women across Warwickshire facing multiple and complex challenges, including domestic abuse, homelessness, trauma, poor mental health and addiction.

Founder Lianne Kirkman’s mission is to create, nurture and empower a community where every woman can heal, grow and reach their future potential, through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities, and drop-in sessions.

The Esther shop at 12 Gloucester Street, is open between 10am-4pm Monday-Saturdays with late-night opening on a Wednesday to 6pm.

Women can self-refer to The Esther Project HERE.