Multi-million pound boost for Birmingham's gateway to the Black Country
The latest multi-million pound piece of Birmingham's rejuvenated city centre has moved a step nearer completion.
Council chiefs are set to rubber-stamp plans for a multi-million pound revamp of part of Birmingham's city centre that forms the gateway from the Black Country.
Birmingham City Council's cabinet is due to approve plans to accept £2 million of ring-fenced capital grant funding from the Government set aside for the Snow Hill masterplan.
The area centres around the Metro station bringing thousands of commuters and visitors from the line to and from Wolverhampton every day.
Bosses said the 20-year plan aims to create 10,000 new jobs, generate over 200,000 sq m of new office space and boost the economy by more than £600 million a year.
Already, household names such as Barclays and KPMG have taken suites of offices in the dramatic blocks, which also house bars and restaurants.
Councillor John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "This is a hugely important step forward in the regeneration of this key city centre district which will maximise its potential and enable us to make the most of the opportunities available to help boost growth in Birmingham.
"These are very exciting times for our city and I am pleased that we are able to accept this funding from the GBSLEP, enabling us to move forward in developing this strategy."
Simon Marks, Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP board director, said: "The growth strategy provides a bold and exciting proposal for how Birmingham can continue to grow its thriving business and professional services sector.
The Snow Hill district is already recognised as a burgeoning financial hub.
"This development will put in place the building blocks for a global business and financial centre.
"The GBSLEP is working closely with the private sector to create the conditions to ensure that firms have everything they need to thrive here."
Public consultation into the masterplan was carried out in February and March this year, with chiefs saying the response was 'overwhelmingly supportive'.
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for Development, Transport and the Economy, said: "This bold and exciting masterplan is about setting out our shared vision for the future development of this key city centre district, maximising its potential and making the most of the opportunities available to help boost economic growth in Birmingham.
The response to the public consultation has been fantastic and I am delighted that we have now reached the stage where the plan can be formally adopted by cabinet."
