Solihull Economic Snapshot

GEMMA DILKES

POLICY AND PROJECTS OFFICER, GREATER BIRMINGHAM CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

It is my pleasure to author the 2024 edition of ‘Doing Business in Solihull: An Economic Snapshot’. This report is designed to be a valuable resource to support business and stakeholder decision-making around investment and opportunities within Solihull. It provides a snapshot of the sub-regional economy of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, compares recent economic trends at the local, regional and national levels, and features real-world insights from firms doing business in the area.

Since the 2022 edition of this report was published, Solihull has continued to recover from the economic challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about.

In recent years, business births have risen considerably in the borough, while we’ve also seen a notable decline in business deaths. The borough’s employment rate and jobs density remain above the regional and national averages, along with median gross weekly pay for full-time workers and gross disposable household income per head.

Solihull’s educational institutions continue to produce robust academic results, which play a critical role in the development of a strong pipeline of talent to fulfil employer’s skills needs and to grow the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

And amidst this context, Solihull has set out to achieve ambitious environmental targets to make the borough a greener place to live and work. Progress is well underway to achieving key net zero objectives, with £17 million of funding secured to support and protect wildlife in Solihull, and the Metropolitan Borough Council having developed a strategy for widening the usage of electric vehicles and achieved a significant reduction in its own carbon emissions.

I hope that the readers of this report find it an insightful and informative snapshot of the Solihull economy and a high-quality resource for informing decisions across the borough.

WELCOME SAM FRAMPTON

HEAD OF SOLIHULL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Welcome to Solihull, a thriving hub of commerce, innovation, skills, talent and opportunity. As the Head of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the vibrant businesses and educational institutions in our town.

Solihull boasts a rich tapestry of businesses, from start-ups to established businesses all contributing to the dynamic economic ecosystem that defines our community. With its strategic location, excellent transport links, and skilled workforce, Solihull provides an ideal environment for businesses to grow and prosper.

Solihull Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to connect, support and grow local businesses, providing invaluable support, resources, and networking opportunities to help companies thrive. Through collaboration and partnership, we foster an environment of entrepreneurship and innovation, driving economic growth and prosperity for all.

Throughout the report, you will discover the many advantages of doing business in Solihull – from our diverse economy and strong infrastructure to our commitment to sustainability and quality of life.

Whether you are considering establishing a presence here or are already part of our business community, I am confident that you will find Solihull to be a welcoming and rewarding place to do business.

I invite you to explore the opportunities that Solihull has to offer. We care about the places and people we represent and believe that thriving businesses sit at the heart of a vibrant community. We want to help make Solihull the best possible place to work and do business.

FOREWORD KEVIN JOHNS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRIME ACCOUNTANTS

I am honoured to introduce the latest Solihull Economic Snapshot, sponsored by Prime Accountants Group, where I serve as Managing Director. As Vice-President of the Chamber, I am deeply invested in our community’s prosperity.

Solihull, with its population of 216,700 inhabitants, stands as a beacon of opportunity and prosperity in the heart of England. This report illuminates the diverse tapestry of our community, showcasing not only our thriving businesses but also the rich talent and potential that define Solihull’s economic landscape.

Solihull boasts 8,025 businesses spanning key sectors such as Administrative and Support Services, Retail, Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, Transport, and Health and Social Activity. These sectors, coupled with our highly connected transport infrastructure and anchor institutions like the NEC and HS2, form the bedrock of Solihull’s economic prowess.

In addition to our vibrant business community, Solihull prides itself on its commitment to education and innovation. With 14 secondary schools, 2 FE colleges, and renowned business parks like Birmingham Business Park and Blythe Valley Business Park, Solihull nurtures the next generation of talent and fosters an environment where businesses can thrive.

Looking to the horizon, the future of Solihull shines bright with projects like HS2, the UK Central Hub, and the Town Centre Master Plan on the horizon. These initiatives underscore our borough’s unwavering dedication to growth, development, and progress. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to making Solihull a place of opportunity, innovation, and prosperity for all. Together, let us harness the collective strength of our business community, anchor institutions, and educational resources to build a future where every individual and every business can thrive.

I extend my gratitude to the dedicated individuals and organisations who have contributed to the success of this report and to the ongoing prosperity of Solihull. Your dedication, vision, and tireless efforts are the driving force behind our town’s continued growth and success. Welcome to Solihull – where opportunities abound, innovation flourishes, and the future is bright.

SUMMARY

INHABITANTS

216,700

KEY SECTORS

QUALIFIED TO NVQ4+

45.1% BUSINESSES

8,025

Administrative and Support Services

Retail

Manufacturing

Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities

Transport

Health and Social Activity

KEY ASSETS

Transport: Highly connected by rail, road and air

Anchor Institutions: Home to key economic drivers, including the NEC, HS2, Birmingham Airport and Jaguar Land Rover

Education: 14 secondary schools and 2 Further Education colleges

Business Parks: Home to Birmingham Business Park and Blythe Valley Business Park

The completion of HS2

UK Central Hub

Town Centre Master Plan

HOW WE COMPARE

Higher than the National Average

Employment rate - 77.9%

Percentage of the population that is economically active - 80.9%

Jobs per working-age resident - 1.22

Number of people employed in positions under Standard Occupational Classification

Major Groups 1-3 (professional occupations) - 56.5%

Residents happy with the neighbourhood they live in - 84%

Median gross weekly pay for full time workers - £750.60

In line with the National Average

Pupils achieving grades 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs - 45.5%

Below the National Average

Proportion of the population aged 16-64 - 59.6%

Unemployment rate - 3.6%

Claimant count - 3.2%

Economic inactivity - 19.1%

Proportion of the population qualified to RQF 4+ - 45.1%

PEOPLE AND SKILLS Population

The population of Solihull has grown steadily since the last Solihull Economic Snapshot was published in 2022. According to 2021 census data, the single largest age group within the population is 50-64 years (20.4%), whereas this is 35-49 years (19.4%) in Birmingham. Looking at ethnicity, 17.8% identify as Black, Asian and minority ethnic. 59.2% of the population of Solihull identify only as British.

Employment

According to data from September 2023, 80.9% of people in Solihull are economically active, which compares to 75.3% in the West Midlands Combined Authority area and 78.8% nationally. This figure is slightly higher than one year prior in Solihull - in September 2022, 79.9% of local residents were economically active. 83% of males in Solihull are economically active which compares to 80.8% across the WMCA area and 82.7% nationally. 78.7% of females in the borough are economically active, by contrast to 69.8% across the Combined Authority geography and 74.9% nationally.

The proportion of self-employed people in Solihull (8.7%) is above that across the WMCA area (7.9%) but below the national average of 9.2%. Far more males are self-employed than females in Solihull – 11.5% and 5.7% respectively. Comparatively, across the WMCA geography, 10.9% of males and 5.0% of females are self-employed. National figures (11.8% of males and 6.7% of females) reflect a similar trend.

EMPLOYMENT RATE 2023 JOBS DENSITY 2022

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 2023

Largest Sectors by Employment

The five largest categories of employment in Solihull by occupation are:

2020 2: PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS

2020 3: ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONS

SOC 2020 4: ADMINISTRATIVE AND SECRETARIAL OCCUPATIONS

CARMEN WATSON

CHAIR, PERTEMPS NETWORK GROUP

Since the pandemic, the jobs market in and around Solihull, like most places in the UK, has been challenging. There has been a glut of vacancies, some skills shortfalls and some people, who fall into an older demographic, have made the decision not to return to work. Solihull, though, has remained a great place to work.

Throughout, Pertemps has rolled with the punches and our teams in the region have used all their expertise to match the right people with the right jobs for local organisations.

A particular success has been in helping Hong Kong nationals into employment via worker referral schemes and working closely with the Employment and Skills Department at Solihull Council.

Our Solihull branch has recruited and managed the career of 68 Hong Kong nationals who have moved to the borough since June 2023, 40 of whom have gone on to accept continuous temporary assignments or secured permanent employment.

Networking and job fair events in the region have been crucial to the success of helping those who are not local into new positions. Oftentimes, the workers have had no UK experience and may have only been in the country for a few weeks, so the support from the local business community in helping them settle and find employment has been invaluable.

We are looking forward to continuing to work with the council and other businesses to support those new to the area, on top of our longstanding work helping match local people with the job opportunities available.

Skills & Education

Population attainment rates in Solihull are significantly higher than those across the Combined Authority area and just below the national average. The proportion of residents qualified to RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) 4+ in Solihull is the highest of any local authority within the WMCA and more than double that of Sandwell (23.5%). However, while Solihull residents are less likely to have no formal qualifications than the WMCA and national averages, RQF 4+ attainment in the borough is slightly below the national average.

It should be noted that as of 2022, reported statistics on qualification levels are now based on the RQF rather than National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) levels, as in previous years. As a result, the latest statistics are unfortunately not directly comparable with those in previous years.

RQF 4+ (16-64) JAN-DEC 2022

The most recent Key Stage 4 performance measures, reflected below, have been impacted by various factors, including a return to pre-pandemic grading. As such, comparisons have been drawn with the 2018/19 academic year, rather than the 2021/22 academic year. SOLIHULL CHANGE SINCE THE 2018/19 ACADEMIC YEAR WEST MIDLANDS REGION CHANGE SINCE THE 2018/19 ACADEMIC YEAR ENGLAND CHANGE SINCE THE 2018/19 ACADEMIC YEAR

PUPILS ACHIEVING GRADES 5 OR ABOVE IN ENGLISH AND MATHS GCSES, 2022/23 ACADEMIC YEAR

ATTAINMENT 8

REBECCA GATER

PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SOLIHULL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CENTRE

At Solihull College and University Centre, our mission is to support and inspire everyone to succeed. In order to empower young people with the skills and knowledge vital for a prosperous future, we must deliver a high quality curriculum that enhances their life opportunities as well as the inclusive growth of the communities in which they are situated. We do this through a blend of knowledge development and practical learning experiences which develop technical skills, and we equip our students with the tools necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving job market. Our curriculum is designed to instil not only technical competencies but also essential skills for work and life, which are front and centre of our personal development curriculum, ensuring young people leave us as well-rounded individuals poised for success in their chosen fields.

In alignment with our dedication to serving the local community, we actively engage with employers and industry partners to understand their evolving needs. Through tailored training programmes, apprenticeships, and collaborative initiatives, we strive to address skill gaps and facilitate a seamless transition from education to employment. By fostering strong relationships with businesses across various sectors, we ensure that our learners are not only job-ready but can also add value to their employer, supporting productivity and efficiency.

Despite facing challenges such as adapting to technological advancements and navigating changing regulatory landscapes, Solihull College and University Centre has remained resilient. Our ability to adapt and innovate has not only bolstered our standing as a leading educational institution but has also enhanced our capacity to meet the evolving needs of our students and industry partners.

In conclusion, Solihull College and University Centre is steadfast in its commitment to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth in the Solihull community. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence and contributing to the vibrant business landscape of Solihull.

INCOME AND LIFESTYLE

Solihull has a relatively affluent population, with median gross weekly pay for full time workers at £750.60, the highest of any local authority in the WMCA area (the second highest being Coventry at £698.80 and the lowest Walsall at £608.50), and above that of the UK as a whole (£681.70). However, while pay has increased in Solihull over the past year, the rate of this increase is lower than that seen across the Combined Authority and the rest of the country. It should also be noted that there are significant income disparities within Solihull. The latest estimates of Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) per head also stand above that of the Combined Authority area and England, however growth in GDHI per head estimates between 2020 and 2021 cannot be considered reliable because of a discontinuity in population data for some areas.

HM Land Registry data for January 2024 indicates that of the 7 constituent authorities within the WMCA, Solihull maintains the highest average house price by a considerable margin, at £337,866. Dudley has the second highest average house price, at £239,344, followed by Birmingham, in which the average house price is £231,844. Wolverhampton has the lowest average house price, at £197,983.

Average property prices in Solihull saw a more significant decrease than the average across the WMCA and the wider UK over the same period. Decreases in house prices across the country are largely attributable to increases in interest rates, enacted to try and control inflation. At the time of writing the current Bank of England base rate is 5.25%, having remained at this figure since August 2023. This is the highest rate since early 2008 and a significant increase from the record low 0.1% rate seen in 2020. Increases in the Bank of England base rate have impacted the interest rates charged for mortgages.

The latest data from the ONS on private rental prices finds that private rents in Solihull rose to an average of £1,142 per month in February 2024, an annual increase of 10.6% from £1,032 in February 2023. This was higher than the rise in the West Midlands region, where average private rents increased by 9.2% over the year, to £853 per month. Across Great Britain, the average rent price increased by 9.0% over the year to £1,238 in February 2024.

TONY ELVIN

GENERAL MANAGER, TOUCHWOOD

Footfall and Sales have increased steadily year on year since the pandemic but began to slow from Q2 2023. We finished the year with footfall +2.8% vs LY / (9.8%) vs 2019. Tenant Sales were even more positive +3.5% vs LY / (0.8%) vs 2019. 2023 outperformed the West Midlands but the trend was largely on par with the wider, more positive UK picture. This after being significantly better than UK picture between 2021-2022.

Tenant occupancy at Touchwood now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, sitting at 98.5%. With the natural coming and going of stores and restaurants over time, it doesn’t get much better than this and the loss of stores during lockdown has allowed us to fill vacancies with better stores and independent dining operators, offering greater choice, in line with consumer demand whilst signing important tenants to new leases. New stores have included Mango, Levi’s, Rituals, Miele, Mint Velvet, Dune and Polestar whilst we have welcomed new restaurants such as Tio Latino, Alioli, Dirty Wild Wings and The Real Greek.

The pipeline remains positive with Oliver Bonas, Spinners competitive gaming bar and Wing Kings Sports Bar all opening in the coming weeks and more in development that we cannot yet disclose. We also have a list of retailers wanting to join the scheme, waiting for an appropriate unit so they can benefit from such a positive location, home to John Lewis and an affluent local population.

With the redevelopment of Mell Square, which will see a significant increase in town centre living, the arrival of HS2 and the unique spirit of collaboration we enjoy locally between key stakeholders the future looks bright for Touchwood and Solihull.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Solihull is home to 8,024 businesses, with 7,965 being SMEs.

MICRO (0-9 EMPLOYEES)

SMALL (10-49 EMPLOYEES)

MEDIUM (50-249 EMPLOYEES)

LARGE (250+ EMPLOYEES)

Between 2022 and 2023, there has been a 6% increase in the number of business births in Solihull, rising from 985 to 1,040. This compares to a 13% decrease in business births across the West Midlands region, falling from 15,560 in 2022 to 13,535 in 2023. The number of business deaths in Solihull fell from 1,130 in 2022 to 955 in 2023, a decrease of 15%. Business deaths across the wider West Midlands follow a similar trend of decreasing, falling by 4% from 16,095 deaths in 2022 to 15,500 in 2023.

The top 5 sectors in Solihull in terms of enterprises are:

ROBERT LAWRY

UK MANAGING DIRECTOR, RÖHLIG

Röhlig is celebrating 40 years in Solihull this year as its UK HQ, while we began in Bremen over 170 years ago, and now operate in over 40 countries worldwide. The past two years have certainly brought about unusual challenges in global supply chains, but our local expertise combined with our worldwide network allowed us to navigate disruptions successfully.

Across the Atlantic, we’ve enjoyed growth in our import and export trade with the United States. The networking opportunities provided by the Transatlantic Chamber events organised by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce have been invaluable for making new business connections in that key market. However, we have experienced challenges over the past few months with imports from the Far East due to disruptions in the Red Sea causing shipping lines to re-route via the Cape of South Africa.

Solihull’s prime location makes it an ideal international trade hub - right off the M42 motorway with easy access to distribution hubs and with Birmingham Airport’s freight terminals just 10 minutes away. The region’s strength in automotive, furniture and manufacturing supply chains is another asset.

The Solihull business community itself is very outward-looking and globally connected. Our local chambers facilitate networking between companies engaged in international markets, allowing positive collaboration and partnerships on areas like trade compliance and supply chain innovation.

We’re proud to be part of Solihull’s thriving business community.

Employment Land in Solihull

KWB research into the M42 and Solihull office market in 2023 shows the local commercial property market remained active throughout the year with annual takeup totalling 133,337 square feet (sq ft) across 33 transactions.

The annual take-up in 2023 is less than the 5-year average between 2019 and 2023 of 227,912 sq ft and fell from 221,548 sq ft in 2022. The most popular areas for transactions were Birmingham Business Park, Coleshill and Solihull town centre, with there being less interest in locations such as Bromsgrove, Redditch, Shirley and Hockley Heath.

Solihull Council has secured £300,000 to invest in local transport links and support the mobility of the local workforce. This funding will be used to explore how a new automated transport link between Blythe Valley Business Park, near Shirley, and the new HS2 rail station in Solihull could operate in the future.

Economic Output

Table adapted from KWB Research data

JOHN BRYCE

DIRECTOR, KWB

With high demand and low supply of new office buildings in Solihull, refurbishments are answering tenants’ continuing requirements for high quality space in accessible locations. AIR on Homer Road and Nelson House at Blythe Valley Park are prime examples of this flight to quality. Landlords need to upgrade their buildings to yield the best tenants, who proritise wellness and sustainability.

Smaller stock continues to be hard to find in the Solihull office market and this is an important opportunity for landlords with vacant office buildings. Properties that can be refurbished to offer high quality suites under 3,500 sq ft will address the shortage.

Our latest quarterly market research showed transactions have been dominated by the serviced office, professional services, education and recruitment sectors. These deals are an an encouraging sign of the market’s resilience after quieter quarters due to a combination of low availability and caution from occupiers in challenging economic circumstances.

We are seeing office buildings being converted to residential which is a concern. Development land is also extremely tight in Solihull and more needs to be available, especially for logistics and warehouse businesses given Solihull’s central position and the motorways here. Many of the enquiries we receive from logistics related businesses looking for land are being frustrated, so they are going outside of the Solihull area.

SUSTAINABLE SOLIHULL

In November 2021, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council agreed the Borough’s Net Zero Action Plan which sets out a roadmap to meet the ambition of becoming a net zero Council by 2030 and a net zero Borough by 2041.

Progress towards net zero objectives to date includes:

• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has secured over £6.5 million of funding from the Heat Networks Investment Project to support the Solihull Town Centre Low Carbon Energy Network. This will significantly help Solihull to work towards its goal of reaching net zero by 2041 given the density of heat demand loads located near to council offices and the significant scale of new commercial and residential units to be brought forward in the town centre masterplan.

• Solihull’s Wildlife Ways project attracted £17 million of funding to help Solihull’s local wildlife thrive and native species survive. The funding facilitated tree and hedgerow planting, the creation of wildflower areas, the creation of ‘green corridors’ to encourage more people to cycle to work to reduce carbon emissions from driving, and revitalising woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. Wildlife Ways was awarded the Green Apple Green Champion award for carbon reduction and the Green World award 2023 for carbon reduction.

• The Council is developing a Natural Capital Investment strategy which prioritises investment opportunities, funding and the delivery for the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Borough’s natural environment.

• The Council has established an electric vehicle (EV) strategy to encourage wider adoption of EVs and tackle some of the current barriers slowing down this transition to zero emissions transport in the Borough.

• As of 2021/22, compared to 2009/10, the Council has reduced it’s carbon emissions by 70%.

TOM DENTON

HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

In support of our corporate purpose - ‘To be proud of every journey’ - the Airport launched its first sustainability strategy in 2020 covering the next 5 years to 2025. The Strategy addresses the key aspects of our environmental and community impacts and how we will deal with the challenges - and the opportunities - that present themselves, both in our day-to-day activities and in the long-term. This Strategy presents nine sustainability themes including noise, biodiversity, carbon and climate change. It outlines our vision for each, what we will do to implement that vision and how we will measure our progress. It references the policies, plans and procedures we have developed, or are developing, and these will be available on our website so that stakeholders can examine our approach in detail. It highlights too how our commitments align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the recently published Airports Council International (ACI) Sustainability Strategy for Airports.

In addition to this the Airport also launched a commitment to be Net Zero carbon by 2033, prioritising zero carbon airport operations and minimising carbon offsets.

As we look to the future, we’re taking action today:

· Significant investment in on-site renewable energy generation, energy efficient lighting and improvements in energy management technology.

· Planning to source up to 40% of the electricity used at the Airport through solar power.

· Switching to a 100% green tariff from April 2022 for electricity provided throughout the Airport.

· Extending the network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to enable more low carbon vehicles in and around the Airport boundary.

STEVE WHITMARSH

MANAGING DIRECTOR, RUNYOURFLEET

At runyourfleet we have been working with local and regional businesses, reviewing their company vehicle policies to help in their journey to net zero. This has included their essential user company cars, light commercial vehicles for deliveries, staff benefits with the addition of a salary sacrifice scheme and even helping with the management of staff own-use vehicles (known as “Grey Fleet”).

Company vehicles are an obvious contributor to a business’s carbon footprint, and a move to plug in vehicles is an easy way to reduce this. However, the cost of EV versus internal combustion engine vehicles, along with the risks associated with the future used values can be a significant barrier needing innovative funding and policy solutions to make this transition easier.

Less obvious is the carbon footprint left by employees’ vehicles on their commute to work. Commonly referred to as part of the scope 3 emissions, it can be difficult to know how the business can truly impact this. One solution we have been rolling out to local and national businesses is the implementation of a salary sacrifice scheme.

This scheme enables staff to drive a brand-new EV car, fully insured and maintained, whilst being paid for through gross salary deductions, saving thousands on the cost of running a new car. We have implemented schemes with a number of central Solihull customers, each being received well by staff, having a lasting impact on the carbon footprint of the business, along with the air quality in the town centre.

On the Horizon

Arden Cross

Arden Cross is a 140-hectare site in the process of being developed which will support up to 27,000 jobs and up to 3,000 new homes with future workers, residents and visitors benefiting from unparalleled access to air, rail, and road travel. It is a key constituent part of UK Central, a dynamic cluster of economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham International Rail Station, and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). With great significance on the national level, Arden Cross is a global destination for innovation, business, commerce, learning and living. It will help the Midlands and the entire country compete on the international stage by increasing the amount of high value products, jobs and skills.

Redevelopment of Mell Square

In April 2021, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council took control of Mell Square as part of delivering the Town Centre Master Plan. The redevelopment of this area will focus on attracting new hospitality and retail businesses to complement the existing offering and boost Solihull’s nighttime economy, deliver flexible and well-connected public spaces, and open the area up to become a central point for business.

COUNCILLOR IAN COURTS

LEADER OF SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Solihull is one of the UK’s best-connected destinations for business, leisure and living, and is a prime location for investment.

Already home to a world-class cluster of high-value manufacturers and engineering firms, the area is increasingly attracting companies pioneering next-generation technologies in Future Mobility, ICT, Low Carbon and Professional Services.

A key asset driving Solihull’s growth is the UK Central Hub, located at the heart of the country’s motorway network, encompassing Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham International Airport, the NEC and Jaguar Land Rover. The new HS2 Interchange Station will be located in the area, cutting journey times to London to under 40 minutes. Alongside infrastructure investment totalling £1.6bn, the station is set to unlock significant housing and commercial development opportunities at Arden Cross, which will include a new HealthTech campus, led by the University of Warwick.

Elsewhere in the borough, Solihull Council is creating commercial and residential development opportunities in our town centres. For example, the Solihull Town Centre Masterplan provides tenants and investors with an ambitious blueprint for development at the heart of which are plans for the wholesale transformation of Mell Square. This site was acquired by the Council and we are now working in partnership with developer Muse Places. The town centre, which has already bounced back from the pandemic, will have a significantly improved retail offer, expanded nighttime economy, new high-quality housing and major investment in public realm and transport.

The Council is driving these opportunities forward through a strong commitment to ‘doing business in Solihull’ for future generations.

Sources

Annual population survey, ONS Crown Copyright Reserved https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/ articles/1294.aspx

Arden Cross https://ardencross.com/

Business demography, quarterly, UK, low-level geographic breakdown, UK https:// www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/datasets/ businessdemographyquarterlyexperimentalstatisticslowlevelgeographicbreakdownuk

Earnings and hours worked, place of residence by local authority: ASHE Table 8, ONS www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/https:// datasets/placeofresidencebylocalauthorityashetable8

Explore Education Statistics, Key Stage 4 Performance, Academic Year 2022/23 https://explore- education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance

Housing prices in Solihull, Price of housing, local, ONS https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/ housingpriceslocal/E08000029/

KWB Research M42 / Solihull office market 2023 review https://kwboffice.com/research/ research-offices-in-solihull/2023-2/m42-solihull-office-market-2023-q4-and-annual-review/

Monthly property transactions completed in the UK with value of £40,000 or above, HMRC https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monthly-property-transactions-completed-in-the-ukwith-value-40000-or-above

Nomis Labour Market Profile – Solihull https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157190/ report.aspx?town=solihull

Nomis Solihull Local Authority 2021 Census Area Profile https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/ census_2021/report?compare=E08000029

ONS Employment, unemployment and economic inactivity in Solihull https://www.ons.gov.uk/ visualisations/labourmarketlocal/E08000029/

ONS Labour Market Overview, UK: November 2023 https://www.ons.gov.uk/ employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/ uklabourmarket/november2023#:~:text=These%20alternative%20estimates%20for%20July,on%20 the%20quarter%20at%2020.9%25

Regional gross disposable household income, UK: 1997 to 2021, ONS https://www. ons.gov.uk/economy/regionalaccounts/grossdisposablehouseholdincome/bulletins/ regionalgrossdisposablehouseholdincomegdhi/1997to2021

Regional gross value added (balanced) per head and income https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/datasets/components nominalregionalgrossvalueaddedbalancedperheadandincomecomponents

Solihull Council Plan 2023-2024 Update https://www.solihull.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-04/ Solihull-Council-Plan.pdf

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Annual Report 2022-2023 https://www.solihull.gov.uk/ sites/default/files/2023-09/Annual-Report.pdf

Solihull Net Zero Action Plan Annual Report https://democracy.solihull.gov.uk/documents/s117291/ Net%20Zero%20Action%20Plan%20Annual%20Report%2020222023.pdf

Solihull Place Survey 2022 https://www.solihull.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-01/Solihull-PlaceSurvey.pdf

Solihull Secondary Schools https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/Secondary-schools

Supporting Solihull’s Ambitious Net Zero Targets https://tp-heatnetworks.org/supporting- solihulls-ambitious-net-zero-targets/

UK House Price Index, HM Land Registry https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ukhpi/

Thank you to members, patrons, supporters and sponsors. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:

GEMMA DILKES, POLICY AND PROJECTS OFFICER g.dilkes@birmingham-chamber.com s.frampton@solihull-chamber.com

SAMANTHA FRAMPTON, HEAD OF SOLIHULL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOLIHULL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Discover more about the Solihull Chamber of Commerce greaterbirminghamchambers.com/about/our-network/solihull.html