Top 9 coworking spaces in Birmingham

1. Innovation Birmingham: best for tech companies

• Location: Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter
• Cost: From £150 per month

What does office space in Innovation Birmingham look like?

Working at Innovation Birmingham is like stepping inside of Apple’s flagship store in New York. As the saying goes, a ‘tidy workspace equals a tidy mind’, and with its clean, white glossy walls and huge glass windows, Innovation Birmingham has lots of natural light to encourage focus and productivity.

Location is of course, a very important factor when comparing coworking spaces. In terms of commuting in, the Innovation Birmingham campus is only an 18 minute walk from Birmingham New Street train station, making it easy for potential partners to visit. It’s also a 15 minute walk from the city centre’s shops, bars and restaurants.

Is Innovation Birmingham right for my business?

According to the GOV.uk website, the West Midlands is the fastest-growing tech region in the country, and is currently on track to create an additional 52,000 jobs in the sector over the next four years.

Innovation Birmingham Campus is its most vibrant tech community. Buzzing with some of the UK’s brightest tech minds and a high quality office space, the campus is perfect for companies based in fintech, cyber security, AR, VR, blockchain, sports tech, edtech, and more.

How much does coworking at Innovation Birmingham cost?

There are no hybrid solutions available for tenants, which could be an issue if you have remote workers in your team, or employees who are not planning to use the office every day.

What are the perks at Innovation Birmingham?

Probably the best perk of working at Innovation Birmingham is that you’ll also get to network with a growing community of over 150 start-ups and entrepreneurs. If you can’t find a regular coworking space to do this, for £40 a month, the virtual membership will put 140 free events and business resources at your fingertips.

On top of this, you’ll also get:

• Health and wellbeing programmes and 200+ events per year
• In-house kitchen and bar
• Tech lounge
• On-site car parking and electric vehicle charging
• Showers, lockers and cycle store

• Location: Balsall Heath
• Price: From £75 per month

What does office space at The Transfer look like?

Set in an authentic old heritage building from the Edwardian period, The Old Print Works, The Transfer’s coworking spaces are laid out like a library. Comfy velvet chairs and cosy alcoves make it a quiet, intimate workspace that hosts a like-minded community of creative types.

The Old Print Works was vacated in 2009 and is currently looked after by an eco-friendly charity called Make It Sustainable Ltd. This ethos can be seen throughout the building, with plenty of potted plants and a communal cafe selling vegetarian and vegan food.

For commuting in, Birmingham New Street station is a 35 minute walk away, which is slightly further out than more central spaces like Innovation Birmingham. The Transfer is accessible by car, with on-street parking nearby.

Who will be at home at The Transfer?

The creative sector is one of the biggest contributors to Greater Birmingham’s economy. It employs nearly 50,000 people and generates £4.1 billion GVA per annum – almost 9% of the city’s total GVA of £46.8bn.

The Transfer is a quirky space for designing and making, business start-ups, art and alternative events in Brum. It has over 40 studios available for designers. Members can also book meeting rooms, as well as four communal areas for exhibitions and events.

How much does coworking space at The Transfer cost?

Standard full-time membership at The Transfer costs just £75 per month, which is a great deal for new startups that need to keep their overheads down. Special offers are also available to those who travel in sustainably (ie. by walking or cycling) and for those who live in the nearby, B12 postcode.

Deals and discounts are available for new starters. Curious business owners can choose a free one-day trial before purchasing, or spend just £5 for their first week.

What are the perks at The Transfer?

There’s a great selection of low-cost recreation that comes with this exciting community of makers. In addition to spending time at the site’s coworking space, you can join The Old Print Works’ music nights, theatre, and workshops. Other perks include:

• Free tea, coffee, and biscuits
• Printer
• Shared lunch on Wednesdays, when members each contribute a dish for a giant, community feast

3. Custard Factory: best for creative talent

• Location: Digbeth
  
• Pricing: Subject to contract (Custard Factory does not share its prices publicly)

What does office space in Custard Factory look like?

Along with its sister project, Fazeley Studios, Custard Factory is the beating heart of Birmingham’s digital community. Set in the newly-renovated riverside factories once used to make Alfred Bird’s famous custard, this trendy joint is now open to the new generation of Brum creatives.

Huge wall-to-floor windows make this a light and airy space, while cleverly-placed bookshelves divide the room up to ensure privacy if needed. Sofas are available for ad-hoc meetings, and ergonomic office chairs mean members can work comfortably for hours.

Transport is one of the biggest bonuses to working at Custard Factory as the site is located directly between Birmingham Moor Street and Bordesley train stations. There’s also multiple nearby car parks and bus stops.

Is Custard Factory right for my business?

Notably, Birmingham is responsible for 25% of UK game market output and has a substantial number of businesses based in marketing, art, and design. Custard Factory welcomes creative and digital businesses with open arms.

Currently home to innovative startups as well as household names like Asos and the Prince’s Trust, this working space is especially perfect for online retailers and anyone who’s keen to host events outside London.

How much does coworking at Custard Factory cost?

Custard Factory does not share its prices publicly, which makes it the least transparent provider in this list in terms of pricing. However, it does offer the ability to get a quote for its services through the Custard Factory website.

Those who are looking for part-time or monthly membership should fill in the online webform to discuss a personalised plan.

What are the perks at Custard Factory?

• Be part of a community of over 500 businesses
• Regular calendar of corporate events, as well as festivals and gigs
• Dedicated on-site management team
• Event space discounts
• Host of recreational facilities (including a cinema)

1. Regus Business Lounges: best for prime locations

• Location: 10 locations across Birmingham
• Pricing: From £99 per month

What does office space in a Regus Business Lounge look like?

Regus’ Business Lounges are dotted up and down the UK in major city centres, airports, and increasingly in motorway service stations and airports. Its flagship Birmingham office is located just five minutes away from Birmingham New Street station near Victoria Square.

Located a stone’s throw away from huge corporations including the National Lottery, you’ll be lucky to work at Regus. This light and airy space resembles a magazine office from the early 2000s, with open-place meeting space available alongside more private deskspace with ergonomic furniture.

Despite being based basically on Birmingham’s main street, tinted windows mean Regus still offers offer peace, quiet and convenience. And, the biggest benefit, if you’re often on-the-go, and want to have a hideaway wherever your business takes you, Regus’ Business Lounges are a great option – they have 2,000 well-connected locations globally.

Is Regus Business Lounge right for my business?

If you’re a frequent traveller, Regus’ vast network of Business Lounges is your best option, thanks to their UK-wide presence.

We recommend this provider to any sole trader who is based in Birmingham, but does business across other major UK cities. For example, if you use coworking space in Manchester.

How much does coworking at Regus Business Lounge cost?

In terms of pricing, small business members have three packages to choose from. SME budgets might not stretch to cover these costs – especially with so many firms working remotely. That’s why Regus also allows SMEs to purchase hybrid coworking plans for either ten or five days of shared office working per month.

Business lounge users should book their coworking session through the MyRegus app. It offers a 10% discount (so you’ll save £9.99 per month).

What are the perks at Regus’ Business Lounges?

Regus members get access to your very own workspace with admin support, and an extra layer of privacy at ThinkPod desks. You can even use the Regus app to find and book your office space with ease. For business lounge users on the cheapest Regus plan, there is also:

• Superfast WiFi, printer, and photocopier usage
• A choice of conference rooms
• Designated desks
• Kitchen areas to use
• Private and team-based office options
• Business support enabled through networking events

2. Alpha Works: best for amenities

• Location: Suffolk Street Queensway
• Pricing: From £195 per month

What does office space in Alpha Works look like?

Nestled in Birmingham’s iconic Alpha building, Alpha Works was the first flexible workspace in Birmingham, and it’s still one of the most impressive. Here you can enjoy modern office spaces, and choose between a comfy coffee bar, sophisticated meeting rooms, or a quiet area to work in.

Located just an eight minute walk away from Alpha Works, this provider is one of the most central in our list – excellent for hosting partners and/or collaborators. Foodies are spoilt for choice thanks to the number of pubs, cocktail joints, and restaurants dotted around Victoria Square.

One issue with Alpha Works’ central location is that the nearby skyscrapers block out a lot of light. This means some of its rooms are darker than those based further away from the city centre, like Custard Factory. However, Alpha Works’ meeting spaces are much brighter, and it is a case of first-come, first-served for the best seat.

Is Alpha Works right for my business?

Having first opened in 2017 after a £1 million refurbishment, Alpha Works is a grander coworking option compared to The Transfer. It is best for businesses with high-flyer clients who need to appear professional. For example, PR agencies.

This USP is supported by Alpha Works’ meeting room spaces, which boast unrivalled, panoramic city views that will impress customers, as well as employees.

How much does coworking at Alpha Works cost?

Alphaworks has two packages available for coworking. Both hot desk membership options are fairly-priced. We’re a big fan of how transparent their costs are in comparison to locations like The Custard Factory:

For private office space, the costs are considerably higher at £375 per month. That said, each member of your team will get a spacious desk, a chair, and two credits per month for use in Alpha Works meeting rooms.

What are the perks at Alpha Works?

All membership comes with access to all of Alpha Works services and facilities. These include:

• Alpha Works’ independent coffee shop, run by Sixteen Kitchen
• A fully-equipped kitchen with free tea and coffee.
• 24/7 access
• Superfast broadband
• Shower and changing facilities
• Secure cycle storage.

3. Grosvenor House: best for virtual offices

• Location: St. Paul’s square
• Pricing: £175 per month

What does office space at Grosvenor House look like?

Just a 14 minute walk away from Birmingham New Street station is Grosvenor House, and located near the world-famous, trendy Birmingham jewellery quarter, is Grosvenor House: a classic-looking building from the Georgian era.

In terms of design, desk areas are kept minimalist. There is a lot of white space in these offices, with few home comforts (the building’s design does not lend itself well to being open plan) and the lack of ergonomic furniture does not spell C-O-M-F-O-R-T.

Still, Grosvenor House’s USP is its virtual office space, which means members are paying for the superb locations and generous conference room hire.

Is Grosvenour House right for my business?

We recommend Grosvenor House to Birmingham startups which are still finding their feet, and want a professional business address to do business without having to commit to a long-term serviced office contract.

Its virtual office packages are unparalleled and very affordable for SME budgets. Grosvenor does also provide a coworking options for the seasoned entrepreneur, however this is not the most affordable option if you’re just after a cheap hot desk.

How much does coworking at Grosvenor House cost?

Grosvenor House has over 7 serviced office packages, which gives members plenty of flexibility in terms of what you want from your office.

None of the plans cater well for hybrid teams. There is an ‘ad-hoc’ membership option for hot desking but at £30 +VAT per day, it is far from cheap. With Grosvenor House, the rule is very much that the longer your contract is, the more value for money it provides.

Members can also request the Premium Business Package for their virtual office. With this, you’ll get:

• Registered office address (to use on business cards, email signatures, etc.)
• Mail forwarding and handling
• Exclusive telephone number
• Professional call handling and call forwarding

What are the perks at Grosvenor House?

All Grosvenor House’s coworking packages include superfast broadband, secure storage, unlimited printing and scanning, and an exclusive kitchenette.

Best coworking spaces in Birmingham for: value for money

Budget is always a top consideration for small business owners – especially in the current economic client. Likely, you’re choosing coworking space as a way to cut down on overheads, and so it’s important to avoid potentially wasting hundreds of pounds a year when you could find a space that offers more amenities for less.

Every provider listed below costs less than £150 per month for a full membership and has multiple plans available for hybrid or flexible working.

1. Moseley Exchange: best for affordability

• Location: Moseley Village
• Pricing: £132 per month

What does office space at Moseley Exchange look like?

Whether you want to work away in a tranquil corner or forge connections with inspiring entrepreneurs and get your creative juices flowing, the The Moseley Exchange is a popular coworking space in Birmingham for solo entrepreneurs. Crucially, it also won’t break the bank.

As the first shared office provider to open in the city, Moseley Exchange remains a buzzing hub for passionate professionals to this day. Its offices have more of a living room setting than an office, and members are encouraged to interact with each other rather than sit apart as in an open-plan space.

Located far out from the city centre, Moseley Exchange is probably better-suited to those working remotely, as you won’t be able to travel to other parts of Birmingham as easily as providers like Regus (although New Street train station is approximately 15 minutes away by public transport).

Is Moseley Exchange right for my business?

Starting a business can feel very isolating for new entrepreneurs. This is the dream serviced office space for freelancers or sole traders who are looking for a structured environment in which to build their business.

Its members come from across multiple industries, making it a good general space to work in and connect with other, like-minded entrepreneurs.

How much does coworking at Moseley Exchange cost?

The Moseley Exchange was founded upon the idea of affordable, coworking spaces and it has one of the cheapest monthly membership plan on the list by far at £132 per month (save for Regus’ business lounge package).

However, all packages are built for hybrid working, and are charged by the number of hours you spend working at the site, rather than the days.

Discounts are available for students, seniors, and those that pay their entire annual membership fee upfront.

What are the perks at Moseley Exchange?

Moseley Exchange takes good care of its members. As a flexible working environment, here have access to the lounge and communal kitchen and free tea and coffee.

In terms of building your business, Moseley also offers a package of support to assist:

• Business profile on the Moseley Exchange website
• Registered postal address (complete with mail holding and forwarding)

2. Jericho Workspace: best for flexible payment plans

• Location: Balsall Heath
• Pricing: From £150 per month

What does office space at Jericho Workspace look like?

Part of the Jericho Foundation, Jericho Workspace is a hot-desking and coworking space that is also a training venue. Located near to The Transfer in Balsall Heath, it is a 30 minute walk away from the city centre.

As a work environment, Jericho coworking spaces are definitely not as aesthetically-pleasing as other providers, like Regus. There is not as much natural light and the decor is kept to a minimum. Still, the idea behind Jericho is about providing more than just a place of work.

Jericho is focused on providing new business support, not just equipment. Last year, a record number of new businesses were started in the West Midlands. According to data from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Birmingham formed the highest number of new businesses (18,128) in 2022.

Is Jericho Workspace right for my business?

We recommend Jericho to inexperienced entrepreneurs that need to learn and develop their business skills. The provider runs regular training events and courses to develop professional skills and knowledge including First Aid for Mental Health, Modern Slavery, and lots more, all designed to help new business owners get to grips with running a company.

How much does coworking at Jericho Workspace cost?

The Jericho Foundation offers seven membership plans at each of its coworking sites, catering for both hybrid and full time workers:

Unfortunately, these plans are not as transparent as they could be, as it is not immediately obvious how much time each option allows you to spend in the Workspace. Still, for a permanent, full-time deskspace in Jericho, business owners should be prepared to spend £150 per month.

What are the perks at Jericho Workspace?

All plans come with:

• Your very own website profile
• Registered postal address
• Free teas and coffees
• Access to a communal lounge

3. Melting Pot: best for collaboration and networking

• Location: Digbeth
• Pricing: From £150 per month

What does office space at Melting Pot look like?

Designed by the man behind the original Odeon Cinemas, Harry Weedon, the Melting Pot exterior boasts a beautifully-designed Art Deco style entrance that has been carefully preserved during renovation.

Part workspace, part social-enterprise, Melting Pot is full of character. Inside is a jumble of bookshelves, rugs, and plant pots, all surrounded by a brick-wall facade. Members can work in private booths, or work alongside each other at spacious desks. If they fancy a shot of inspiration, they can also visit the art gallery in the lobby.

Surprisingly, all of this is located just a nine minute walk away from the city centre and its many bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Is Melting Pot right for my business?

It used to be that coworking spaces were strictly associated with desk-based sectors such as media and tech. However, more and more ‘niche’ coworking spaces are opening up to cater to the needs of other sectors.

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter, Melting Pot caters for all types of business. It is most ideal for those making bespoke or artisanal products, however, due to its focus on studio space and workshops. Members can choose from either:

• The Lounge – islands of desks and breakout spaces, perfect for individuals or smaller businesses
• The Loft – larger, open plan space with conferences and meeting rooms
• The Lab – bright workshop and studio space with roller-shutter entrance
• The Void – like The Lab, but offering much more room for collaboration and innovation

How much does coworking at Melting Pot cost?

Hybrid users can make use of the hot desking solution if you want to avoid being tied into a short-term contract. However, be aware that if you’re planning to use the office for three weeks or more, a dedicated desk option works out cheaper.

What are the perks at Melting Pot?

Creative startups have to be fiercely protective over their property. Melting Pot gives artists and makers peace of mind that their creations will be safe, with added security including CCTV monitoring and lockable storage. On top of this, there is also a kitchen area and superfast internet.