2020 will define the M42 corridor’s future says KWB

This year will be crucial for the fortunes of offices in Solihull and the region’s most powerful economic corridor.

KWB’s Head of Office Agency, Malcolm Jones, believes that the area along the M42 – which has been a major driver of growth for over 20 years – is in urgent need of new Grade ‘A’ office space.

His comment came after official end-of-year data revealed that KWB had been involved in 54% of all lettings of existing stock along the M42 during 2019 – which represented 138,000 sq ft of the 256,000 sq ft total.

Birmingham Business Park, which has let more office space than any other location on the M42 in recent years, also continued to perform strongly as the year came to a close.

Malcolm points out that 77% of all deals involving existing stock concluded during Q4 2019 were transactions at the Park.

“There were too many lettings at that location to list during 2019, but one of the stand-out deals for us was GKN taking just over 13,000 sq ft at 2100 The Crescent, where the landlord was the global investment manager BlackRock, the biggest landlord on the Park,” he recalled.

“It was also very pleasing to see the British Heart Foundation sign for almost 10,000 sq ft at Compton House, where the client was Germany-based Uniper International.”

More than 150 companies and organisations are now based at Birmingham Business Park, and Malcolm says its combination of excellent transport links via road, rail and air, and its setting amid 148 acres of mature parkland, will continue to attract potential tenants.

However, the Park’s years of success mean that its supply of available office stock has dwindled to a record low. “At the start of January, the vacancy rate is just 3.9%, which is the lowest anyone can remember,” Malcolm said.

“I believe, though, that commercial property developers are considering proposals to bring forward Grade ‘A’ office space on a speculative basis, at J6 of the M42, which would be great news. Bromsgrove and Redditch also saw several deals during Q4, and more are expected in early 2020.

“Such new product will be absolutely vital for the health of the economy, because the corridor between Solihull, the NEC, Birmingham Airport, and the West Coast main-line station, has been the region’s most powerful single driving force for years – and what happens during 2020 will define its future impact”.

For current availability of offices in Solihull and the M42 corridor, contact Malcolm Jones on 0121 233 2330 or email mjones@kwboffice.com.