Birmingham Enterprise Zone

About the Birmingham Enterprise Zone

Background

Birmingham’s Enterprise Zone (EZ) was established in 2011, in-line with government approved legislation.

The EZ covers 39 sites with 113 hectares of new and existing development space. It represents the most significant growth opportunities in the city.

The EZ includes seven city centre geographical clusters identified as having significant development potential and growth opportunities:

  • Westside
  • Snow Hill
  • Eastside
  • Southern Gateway
  • Digbeth
  • Birmingham Innovation Campus
  • Jewellery Quarter

The EZ uses the business rates income growth from the 39 sites to invest in projects and initiatives that drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for all citizens. It focusses on four key business sectors:

  • business, professional, and financial services
  • ICT
  • creative industries
  • digital media

Focussing on early intervention in infrastructure, and supporting the council's Our Future City Plan, the EZ Programme creates an environment that supports:

  • investment
  • job creation
  • growing the city and regional economy

This is supported by a set of financial principles that guide where EZ resources are invested, alongside robust governance arrangements to oversee the programme.

Find out more about the programme governance

The main areas for investment are:

  • strategic site investment
  • infrastructure
  • business support

The EZ Journey

From 2011 to 2022, the EZ was managed by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Birmingham City Council, who acted as the accountable body for the programme.

As part of the 2015 West Midlands Devolution Deal, the EZ was extended to cover the Curzon area to enable the delivery of local infrastructure and to drive growth.

After the Levelling Up White Paper, which confirmed the closure of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), was published in January 2022, GBSLEP services moved to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Birmingham City University (BCU), or Birmingham City Council, who are now responsible for delivering EZ and some legacy programmes.

The future of the EZ, the business rates income growth up to March 2046, is expected to be more than £2billion.

The programme aims to keep a balance between investment, borrowing, and accelerating business rates growth through EZ projects. The projects will be important in ensuring that:

  • the £2billion opportunity, already agreed by the government, is achieved
  • our city fully benefits from the EZ investment

Page last updated: 8 August 2024

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