Solihull and M42 corridor office market outperforms Birmingham city centre – report

Take-up of office space along the M42 Corridor has surpassed that of Birmingham city centre over a single quarter - marking only the fourth time this has happened.

According to KWB’s latest M42 and Solihull office market review, 70,218 sq ft of deals were completed along the M42 Corridor and Solihull in Q2 2026, 37 per cent more than Birmingham’s total of 44,553 sq ft for the same quarter.

Impressively, six of the 12 Q2 deals were completed by independent property consultancy KWB, totalling 32,984 sq ft and 47 per cent of the Q2 total.

Malcolm Jones, director at KWB, said: “The Solihull office market take-up has increased by 45 per cent in just six months, representing a significant rebound after what was a disappointing end to 2025.

“Solihull and the M42 are benefitting from businesses’ potential to make a long-term office investment in the area - something that is scarcely found in city centres like Birmingham.

“With a prominent business community, town centre amenities and excellent connectivity via road and rail, the location delivers exceptional ROI.”

There have been a significant number of freehold sales opportunities secured to date in 2026, as well as more typical lettings. In Q2, five of 12 total deals were either freehold or long leasehold transactions, of which four were completed by KWB acting on behalf of the landlord.

In total across Solihull and the M42 Corridor, 106,688 sq ft has been let in the first half of 2026. The largest of these deals was gymwear brand Aybl, taking 25,247 sq ft at Blythe Valley Business Park.

Malcolm continued: “While the Aybl deal was a significant boost to the M42 office take-up, it’s the ongoing stream of mid-tier deals that has truly made the first half of 2026 a successful one. There have already been 18 new deals completed this year, which is the most in one half year since 2023.

“Building on the trend that was emerging in the second half of 2025, it’s the TMT (technology, media and telecoms) sector leading the way; accounting for 25 per cent of all space let in H1 2026. It’s a sector which I predict will continue to grow in the area.”

The full M42 and Solihull office market review is available online.