Pledge to boost business district after pandemic
TWENTY of Birmingham’s most high-profile corporate companies have signed a pledge aimed at boosting the city’s business district to return to its pre-Covid glory.
The ‘Birmingham Business Pledge’ has been launched by Colmore Business Improvement District (BID) following the recent publication of its ‘Future Business District’ report which looked at the next step for city centres post-pandemic.
It is estimated that 180,000 people work within the boundaries of Birmingham’s ring road but many office-based businesses have introduced a gradual, phased return for staff in recent months.
It means lower footfall in the business district, affects everything from hospitality to taxi drivers and train operators.
Some commentators have suggested the office landscape has been changed forever by the pandemic as millions have become used to home working and adapting to new technology.
Colmore BID said this new pledge was a positive statement from Birmingham employers as they strived to achieve a more economically and socially productive city centre through collaborative action.
The pledge is based on five pillars:
Sustainability
Recognising the challenges of climate
change and committing to find ways of accelerating a net-zero journey, improving transport links and creating more pleasant, safer public realm.
Inclusivity
Ensuring businesses reflect the communities they serve and seek opportunities to consider how equality, diversity and inclusion can be better promoted.
Growth
Allowing people to grow by harnessing hybrid working, expanding the physical and virtual talent pool while encouraging staff to collaborate, innovate and come together in the city
centre.
Offer
Seeking new ways to support the city centre’s character
and the independents,
artists and cultural venues
Celebrate
Doing more to promote the strengths and opportunities the city presents to staff, customers and stakeholders.
Alex Bishop, a partner and joint head of the Birmingham office of law firm Shoosmiths, which is among the signatories, said: “As a business community, we want to come together with a declaration of intent in support of our city’s future.
“The last 18 months has seen unprecedented change.
“While there have been challenges, this unique time represents an opportunity for us all as business leaders to think about what more we can be doing to stimulate economic growth in the hybrid working world, create stronger, diverse communities and enhance our public realm space.
“Along with the local authority and other public organisations, it is also incumbent on businesses to do what they can to breathe life into city centres. By meeting regularly to share best practice, ideas and our progress around these pillars, and through collective action, we can make a real difference.”
Business which have signed the pledge include: Avison Young, CBRE. Cushman & Wakefield, Deloitte, EY, Eversheds Sutherland, Gateley, Gowling WLG, HSBC UK, JLL, KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Pinsent Masons, PwC, Shakespeare Martinea, Shoosmiths, Squire Patton Boggs, Trowers & Hamlins, Wesleyan.