Ambitious Development Plans for the NEC Birmingham

Since opening in 1976, the NEC Birmingham has changed with several additions and new developments. But the recent announcement in November 2018 of a proposed “NEC City” will no doubt see it firmly placed in the top spot as the event venue in the UK.

The NEC City Proposals

The current NEC footprint already extends across 19 exhibitions halls, 34 conference suites and acres of outdoor space. The proposal on the table is to re-develop much of this outdoor space and upgrade the facilities.

It is certainly a proposal in keeping with the forward-thinking driven business that The NEC Groups has always been. Long embracing change and development, this could be its most ambitious project yet.

Driving this new proposal is the recent acquisition of The NEC Group by Blackstone’s, a huge US investment form who has sunk £800m into the buy-out.

It proposes to redevelop the 75 hectares of land, increase floor space by some 315,000 square metres and add up to 2,000 apartments.

Welcome News

It is an ambitious project that will bring many benefits.  One of which is the estimation it will add 10,000 jobs to the area, welcome news for any city and the UK as a whole.

But what else can we expect to see as part of this project? Paul Thandi, Chief Executive of the NEC Group, believe the master plan for this development will develop and progress the business further.  A significant step in being a “truly world-class business, entertainment and leisure destination”.

It has recently completed a £4.5 million renovation that has seen the development of a Bear Grylls Adventure leisure complex.

There are also other developments scheduled with Birmingham Airport.  They are investing £500 million into a 15-year strategy to boost its passenger numbers. With a strong leisure and development centre at the NEC.  It makes sense that the local transport network is able to service the huge numbers of guests and attendees attending events at the NEC Birmingham.

The HS2 high-speed train link is under construction close-by too.   Improving and building on the rail links between the city of Birmingham and other UK cities, London included. Due for completion by 2026, this again could be a significant development that could impact on the NEC too.

The project at the NEC also looks to include a residential community as well as a 224 bedroom hotel. The vision, say the group, is clear. They want to develop “an internationally unique destination with global appeal” that brings together entertainment, leisure, exhibitions space, as well as commercial and residential spaces across the 175-hectare campus.

Being part of an exciting project!

We have seen how much the entertainment, leisure and event industry has grown in recent years and have been part of the process to create improved and more responsive promotional staffing services for clients who choose to exhibit or showcase their brand at NEC Birmingham events.

We look forward to these exciting developments at an events venue that NEC Exhibition Staff like to call home!

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