Why you should invest in Sandwell

Welcome to our borough – and here’s why you should invest in Sandwell.

In the heart of the West Midlands, Sandwell has a diverse economy thanks to innovative companies and a highly skilled workforce.

Sandwell is home to around 9,000 businesses: exciting and dynamic companies which collectively employ approximately 140,000 people.

Thanks to our excellent transport links, skilled people and cost-competitive location at the centre of England, more and more companies are looking to Sandwell to fulfil their business needs.

Plus Sandwell Council is doing everything it can to accelerate business growth in the borough. Read Sandwell’s Inclusive Recovery Action Plan [PDF opens in a new window].

Six great reasons why you should invest in Sandwell:

1. Our strategic location with excellent transport links
   Being located in the UK’s manufacturing heartland gives companies in Sandwell a significant advantage that is enhanced by excellent transport links. As well as our close proximity to Birmingham (with its rail and tram networks), Sandwell lies at the heart of the national motorway network. Our five junctions feeding into the M5 and M6 mean an amazing 90 per cent of the population of England and Wales is less than two hours’ drive away. We are only fifteen miles from Birmingham International Airport.
2. Our ability to produce and attract a skilled workforce
   Sharing an eastern border with the nation’s second city allows Sandwell businesses to tap into the knowledge and skills of hundreds of thousands of potential workers. Within five miles of Sandwell, for example, you’ll find more than 100,000 university students. Read about the support we can give with recruitment.
3. Perfect, premium space thanks to new office developments
   With a range of business accommodation options available at lower costs than elsewhere in the UK, Sandwell is an attractive destination to set up shop. Companies which have headquarters or big bases in the borough include the AA, DPD, Eriks and East End Foods. Access our commercial property expertise today.
4. A pro-business council that supports your growth and development
   Sandwell Council is committed to helping businesses reach their growth potential: we want you to thrive because it’s good for our local economy, our residents and their job and training prospects (which in turn leads to better standards of health and wellbeing). Learn more about what we offer.
5. Huge regeneration projects in the pipeline
   Sandwell is going through an exciting transformational period, with up to £1.8bn of investment between 2022 and 2027 funding regeneration projects across all our six towns – Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich. You can read about the 66 regeneration projects – spanning homes, education facilities, skills and workspaces – at the Regenerating Sandwell website. And because Sandwell Council is committed to ensuring this growth benefits people and communities as well as businesses, it is also leading to:
6. … An increasingly high standard of living
   Sandwell has rich and diverse culture, and friendly communities. It’s a great place to work and build a career, as well as raise a family. Sandwell has 1,200 hectares of award-winning parks, playing fields and open spaces. You can read about them at Sandwell Council’s parks page. Our new Sandwell Aquatics Centre received worldwide admiration during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
   See more reasons why Sandwell is a great place to work, live and relax at www.visitsandwell.com.

This page was last updated in November 2022.