INVEST IN SOUTHSIDE Your guide to investing in Birmingham’s most diverse Business Disctrict.
INTRODUCTION Over the past decade, the
The £600 million redevelopment
Southside district of Birmingham
of Birmingham’s major station,
has emerged as a distinctive
New Street, is set to have a
quarter within the UK’s second
considerable positive impact
city. Southside’s growth has
on Southside, bringing even
been driven by a number of
more visitors and commuters
unique developments across
to the district’s doorstep and
the area’s Chinatown and Gay
strengthening connectivity
Village, encompassing leisure
with international transport links
destinations, retail, commercial
including Birmingham Airport.
ABOUT GREATER BIRMINGHAM
•
No. 1 for inward investment, jobs created, projects and year on year increase according to UKTI
•
Home to some 1,900 international firms
•
More foreign direct investment projects in the last year than any other English region
•
£54.4 billion GVA
•
28% growth in visitor numbers to Birmingham in the last eight years to 63.8 million
•
Over 3 million population
•
The only city outside London with direct flights to China
and office space. This exciting mix has provided significant
If you invest in Southside, you’re
Greater Birmingham is an area at the very centre
and diverse local employment
investing in a unique destination
of the UK anchored by Birmingham, the UK’s
opportunities. More recently, new
that is fixed on a long-term vision
second city. With record levels of infrastructure
city living developments have
for growth. There’s no better time
investment, increasing international recognition
also added a new dimension to
to call Southside your home.
and countless opportunities for companies to thrive in the region, there has never been a better time to
Southside.
invest in Greater Birmingham. Julia Chance, Manager, Southside Business Improvement Districtt
National infrastructure projects include: •
£40 billion High Speed Rail (HS2) link to London
•
£600 million redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station
•
£33 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport
All information and statistics taken from Greater Birmingham: Making Business Happen published by Business Birmingham 2014.
www.businessbirmingham.com
SOUTHSIDE MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE
SOUTHSIDE MAP How can Southside Business Improvement District (BID) support you? Established in 2011, Southside BID exists to bring local businesses together to develop projects and services that will benefit the trading environment. If you chose to invest in Southside, the BID team can
Southside is Birmingham’s most vibrant and diverse business improvement district, which sits within walking distance from New Street Station and Bullring Shopping Centre. Southside boasts some of the country’s most popular tourism destinations such as Birmingham Hippodrome, the single busiest theatre in the UK, Chinatown and the Gay Village. In addition to a vast number of leisure venues, a broad range and size of companies from Virgin Trains to Legal and General Insurance have chosen to do business in Southside.
work with you to: • Support familiarisation visits to find out more about Greater Birmingham and the Southside district • Introduce you to existing businesses and local bodies, such as Birmingham City Council and Business Birmingham • Connect you with a network of business support organisations • Identify any available grants and funding opportunities
CASE STUDIES James Wong owns two of Birmingham’s most famous restaurants. Chung Ying opened in 1981 as the first Chinese restaurant in the city’s Chinatown and Chung Ying Garden followed in 1987. The multi-award winning restaurants serve over 350 authentic Cantonese dishes and a large selection of dim sum. “Chung Ying was the catalyst for Birmingham’s Chinatown, and
Ann Leung is a Director at United Travel in Southside, and played a key role in securing direct flights from Birmingham to Beijing. “China is one of the fastest growing sources of visitors to the UK, with visitor numbers tripling over the past decade, and it is forecast to continue to grow strongly. “In 2012 the Chinese visitor market was worth £15 million to the West Midlands economy, with Birmingham now the 4th most popular destination for
“Birmingham is the fourth most popular destination for Chinese visitors in England, and the only city outside of London to have direct flights to China.” Ann Leung United Travel
Chinese visitors in England.”
over the past 30 years the district, now known as Southside, has become a vibrant entertainment quarter within one of the world’s greatest cities. “The wealth of choice that is available in Southside is fantastic. There is always room for a business that can offer something different, and the Southside BID team are a great support.”
Wei Du is a General Manager of Ming Moon Restaurant, part of the Wing Wah Group, based in Southside. To maintain high standards and serve authentic Pan Asian cuisine, it is vital for the restaurant group to source skilled staff at all levels. “Southside is a great location for finding and
“Southside is a vibrant entertainment quarter within one of the world’s greatest cities” James Wong Chung Ying Chinese Restaurants
retaining skilled employees. The district is home to a large concentration of Chinese residents and students, many of whom have experience of working within the hospitality industry.
“Southside is a great location for finding and retaining skilled employees”
“Southside also benefits from a number of business support companies such as accountants, lawyers and the Bank of China, which makes the district a great place to do business.”
Wei Du Wing Wah Group
Email us: infor mation@southsidebid.co.uk Call us: +44 (0) 121 643 3720 Write to us: Southside Business District Ltd, Gallan House, 32 – 34 Hill Street, Bir mingham, B5 4AN To find out more about investing in Southside please contact:
CONTACT US CONTACT US To find out more about investing in Southside please contact:
Email us: infor mation@southsidebid.co.uk Call us: +44 (0) 121 643 3720 Write to us: Southside Business District Ltd, Gallan House, 32 – 34 Hill Street, Bir mingham, B5 4AN