Birmingham must be "irresistible" to business, city architect claims

BIRMINGHAM must up its game if it is to sell itself to businesses wanting to relocate out of London, a leading city architect has claimed.

Glenn Howells, who is travelling to Cannes next week to participate in MIPIM 2010, the world’s biggest property conference, said key to making Birmingham “irresistible” was encouraging “livability” in the city centre.

“I live a five-minute bike ride from the office – where are the emerging neighbourhoods 

which are going to attract people to take advantage of all that the city centre offers?” he asked.

“And I am talking families, not just migrant workers and singles. It is a really important aspect. 

We need to offer them good homes. It is happening and there are schemes which are starting 

to deliver.”

Mr Howells, of Glenn Howells Architects, said that the Big City Plan and impressive landmark developments such as transforming New Street Station and plans to redevelop Paradise Circus were huge achievements.

But Birmingham suffered from the fact that many city centre workers commute, taking their spending power with them.

Now was the opportunity to persuade more of them to stay by offering first class family 

housing – and that had to be in conjunction with transport improvements, both New Street Station and a link with Snow Hill Station.

“We have to work on the livability and the quality aspect of the city centre experience,” said Mr Howells, who has offices in both Birmingham and London.

“We need to build wonderful new mixed communities who work in the city centre and live 

close to the city centre.

“We need to be even more competitive. We must pull in businesses currently based 

in London and the South-east. We need to make Birmingham the irresistible choice.”

He said integrated developments and a good transport system were key factors in ensuring Birmingham matured and grew.

“We have to get to a position where if people are searching for a move away from London, 

and it comes down to a contest, say, between Birmingham and Bristol, then Birmingham 

wins,” added Mr Howells.