The University of Wolverhampton is set to hold an event in celebration for International Women’s Day on Friday 14th March 2025 Women Leading Change – Celebrating Triumphs and Breaking Barriers. This event will take place at the Technology Centre at the Wolverhampton Science Park. This event will see women who have excelled in their careers and have changed the social, cultural, economic and political arenas. The welcoming address will by Opinderjit Takhar and the keynote speaker on the panel is Sureena Brackenridge MP of Wolverhampton North East. A celebratory event sure to inspire, these powerful women will explain how they have defied barriers and overcome challenges to achieve great success. Sureena will discuss her own personal journey, the struggles and give an insight into what it takes to become a leader inspiring the future generation. The guest panel will also participate in a question-and-answer session and explain how they overcame their own obstacles and how women empowering women is a powerful thing. The end of the panel will feature Saida Chowdhury the poet who is set to publish her forthcoming debut poetry collection, ‘Broken Minds’ in the next few months. Saida has likened her book to the Japanese art practice of ‘Kintsugi’, whereby broken pottery is mended with liquid gold or lacquer with gold dusting. The emphasis is to highlight and beautify the cracks and not hide them. Saida has applied this philosophy to people and their own personal scar, physical and mental. “Your past is nothing to be ashamed of, but a beautiful part of your history”. Her intention now is to remove the stigma around discussing mental health, so that people can access the help that they need. The foreword for the book has been written by Sureena Brackenridge after meeting Saida on the Ian Henery Radio show for Black Country Xtra, part of Black Country Radio. Here they were on a panel also featuring Tal Singh of Soul Brite Seva CIC discussing mental health and wellbeing. Saida has written as poem specifically for the International Women’s Day celebration event. “What an absolute pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to read one of my own poems amongst such inspirational women.” Sara Aslett, Strategic Business Development Manager, commented that “it would be a fitting addition the event” and “a great way to close the event”. No doubt this event intended to showcase the achievements of women and the barriers that they have overcome through sheer resilience is definitely one to inspire.

13th March 2025

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A hi-tech new Civic Centre car park system is to make it more welcoming and convenient for visitors, while helping improve traffic flow in the city.

The work – part of City of Wolverhampton Council car park upgrades – will provide a faster, ticketless entry and exit.

It will enable live data to be fed to the council’s electronic roadside signs so people can see where parking spaces are available. This will allow drivers to make decisions on approach to the city centre, easing traffic at peak times.

Interactive digital screens at the car park will also be able to display important messages and useful information, enhancing the experience for those – including visitors to University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

Improvements to internal car park signs are also planned.

The car park will remain in use throughout the work, which starts on Monday March 17, using the current ticketing system.

From March 24 the entry and exit points from Wulfruna Street will be reduced to one lane for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed towards the end of April.

The North Street entry and exit will be closed for up to a week from April 2. However, during this time, the exit onto North Street will be in use for anyone using the car park for evening events at University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

Once live the new Skidata automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system will mean barriers raise immediately for drivers on arrival.

Prior to departure, the customer will have to make a payment either in person, at a pay station, exit barrier or via digital payment methods.

The user-friendly pay stations will feature a large touch screen for drivers to input their registration before paying using cash, card or contactless methods – including mobile phones.

The barrier will then automatically allow their vehicle out.

Those who choose to log their vehicle and payment details via the Skidata Autopay portal – once the new system is live – will be able to drive in and out at their leisure with their accounts charged on departure.

A ticket option will also be available for those who prefer, while tickets will also be issued for all vehicles not recognised by the ANPR system.

The switchover to the new system will help cut maintenance costs of outdated machines and reduce third party app fees.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “Having well-maintained, safe and secure car parking facilities to serve customers is an important part of Wolverhampton's future development and builds on the major investment in the city centre.

“We have a strong offer for visitors provided by the city centre’s major visitor venues, such as the Grand Theatre, Wolves Football Club, and University of Wolverhampton at The Halls.

“They will be further boosted by the opening this year of a new leisure hub at the Mander Centre and an expanded independent cinema at the Chubb Building.

“Linking up the ANPR technology with our electronic roadside signs enhances convenience and will help improve traffic flow in and around the city centre at busy times.”

Upgrades will be carried out at other council car parks in the coming months.

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