Solihull drives the West Midlands' economy; we have the highest gross value added (GVA) per head in the West Midlands (£44,613) and the 8th highest outside London.

We have strong foundations to build upon. Solihull remains one of the UK's strongest-performing economies, as well as the gateway for the region. As a Council, we aim to drive the conditions for growth and to address inequalities within the borough. Our 'UK Central Solihull' brand promotes Solihull as one of the UK's best-connected destinations for businesses, leisure and living, and a prime location for new investment.

UK Central focuses on three key areas of economic opportunity across the borough:

UK Central Hub represents a dynamic cluster of economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the NEC, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover. At the heart of The Hub, we are proud to host the £3.2bn Arden Cross development, which will support up to 27,000 jobs and up to 3,000 new homes, providing office spaces, cafes and public areas. This will also be complemented by a new Health Tech Campus led by the University of Warwick. Arden Cross will be transformed with the future arrival of the HS2 Interchange Station, which will act as a catalyst for investment, and deliver benefits for all of our communities. As one of the region's strongest gateway assets, Arden Cross is set to feature prominently in the West Midlands Growth Plan.

the region's strongest gateway assets, Arden Cross is set to feature prominently in the West Midlands Growth Plan.

Solihull town centre is an established and popular thriving commercial centre with an enviable reputation for the opportunity, connectivity and the lifestyle it offers. We are seeking to enhance the existing retail offer, visitor experience, and nighttime economy through the Solihull Town Centre Masterplan. One of the key projects within the masterplan is the regeneration of Mell Square. In March 2025, our preferred development partner, Muse Places Ltd, submitted a planning application for up to 1,600 homes as part of a new mixed-use neighbourhood which includes shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and public spaces.

North Solihull is strategically located next to the UK Central Hub and has a strong track record for regeneration activity in Solihull. Within this area, we are currently redeveloping Kingshurst village centre to create a high quality, sustainable and well-integrated community with enhanced potential to benefit from the Hub. The first phase of construction comprising of 25 new sustainable social rented homes was successfully completed in September 2024. We are currently moving on to phase two of the development which includes a new community, health and retail hub. In driving a vibrant local economy, we recognise the need to enhance transport links locally, to better connect people with jobs and education opportunities. Our borough continues to benefit from exceptional levels of national and regional connectivity, but there is room to improve public transport.

In driving a vibrant local economy, we recognise the need to enhance transport links locally, to better connect people with jobs and education opportunities. Our borough continues to benefit from exceptional levels of national and regional connectivity, but there is room to improve public transport.

We continue to work with Transport for West Midlands and other partners to enhance public transport across the borough. We know that transport is key to connecting residents with jobs and education opportunities. We continue to make the case for enhancing public transport between North Solihull and the UK Central Hub and our town centre.

In May 2025, the West Midlands Mayor made a decision to begin the transition process towards franchised bus services from 2027. We have asked for safeguards to be built into the franchising process, particularly to ensure that the new model supports an appropriate network of bus routes to accommodate travel demand beyond central Birmingham. We will monitor the implementation of the plans to ensure that bus franchising delivers the best outcomes for Solihull's residents.

As part of the 2023 Trailblazer Deeper Devolution Deal, a Growth Zone was established in East Birmingham and North Solihull (EBNS). This is a major opportunity for the West Midlands, with the opportunity to increase housing and drive employment growth and innovation in low carbon energy. Within the Growth Zone, we can retain all income generated from business rates for a period of 25