Twenty of Birmingham's most high-profile corporate companies have signed a pledge aimed at boosting the city's core business district and help it 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.
This means lower footfall in the business district which affects everything from hospitality venues to revenues for 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 sustainable and economically and socially productive city centre through collaborative action (scroll down for list of signatories).
Birmingham Business 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 is a partner and joint head of the Birmingham office of law firm Shoosmiths which is among the signatories.
She 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 so far signed the pledge:
Avison Young
CBRE
Cushman & Wakefield
Deloitte
EY
Eversheds Sutherland
Gateley
Gowling WLG
HSBC UK
JLL
KPMG
Lloyds Banking Group
NatWest
Pinsent Masons
PwC
Shakespeare Martineau
Shoosmiths
Squire Patton Boggs
Trowers & Hamlins
Wesleyan
