Creative

Demand for creative workspace in the West Midlands is being driven by growth in screen production, games, design, digital content and createch.

The region has a strong mix of creative talent, universities, specialist training, production assets and business support. This is helping creative firms start, scale and attract talent, while creating demand for flexible studios, small-unit workspace, maker space, production space and mixed-use environments.

Creative businesses often cluster in places with character, affordability, connectivity and access to talent. That makes the West Midlands’ city centres, creative quarters and regeneration districts well placed to support future growth.

Creative growth is increasingly place-based, with businesses clustering around talent, production assets, cultural venues and flexible workspace. Across the West Midlands, established and emerging creative locations are supporting demand for studios, production space, small-unit workspace and mixed-use regeneration.

The area is home to creative businesses, independent venues, production facilities and cultural assets, with further momentum from investment in Digbeth Loc. Studios and wider regeneration around the Creative Quarter. Its mix of workspace, leisure, culture and public realm makes it a strong example of how creative activity can help animate places and support mixed-use development.

As Birmingham’s city centre expands eastwards towards HS2 Curzon Street, Digbeth is well placed to support new creative workspace, production space, residential development, leisure uses and visitor economy activity.

Centred on Leamington Spa and the wider Coventry and Warwickshire area, the cluster includes a deep base of games businesses, digital specialists and creative talent. Combined with university links, specialist skills provision and R&D assets, this supports demand for flexible and high-quality workspace for creative and digital firms.

The region’s wider digital economy also creates crossover opportunities between games, immersive technology, AI, content production, design and professional services.

Creative occupiers often need flexible, adaptable and characterful spaces that can support different stages of growth.

Demand is likely to include small-unit workspace, shared studios, maker space, production facilities, post-production space, rehearsal and content studios, and mixed-use schemes that combine workspace with leisure, hospitality and cultural uses.

For developers and investors, the opportunity is not just to provide floorspace, but to create places where creative businesses, audiences and talent want to spend time.