Why Birmingham & Burton Still Work for SA — If You Get It Right

The UK’s serviced accommodation (SA) market in  is no longer a “gold rush” for amateurs. The days of listing a spare room on Airbnb and expecting a passive income stream are definitively over. Market maturation, a significant increase in professional-grade supply, and tighter local enforcement have systematically filtered out those who relied on luck rather than strategy.

However, for professional operators focusing on the West Midlands—specifically the powerhouse economic corridor of Birmingham and Burton-on Trent—the fundamentals for high-yield, resilient short-stay assets remain exceptionally strong. 

The secret to success in  is not just “having a property”; it is about surgically aligning your asset with the specific, recession-resilient demand profiles of these two distinct but complementary Midland hubs. This article breaks down why these markets are still a prime opportunity and what it takes to “get it right.” 

Birmingham: The Unstoppable "Flight to Quality" in the Second City 

Birmingham’s SA market is currently defined by a powerful “flight to quality.” With Grade A office take-up in the city centre reaching record highs and the professional services sector accounting for over half of all commercial real estate transactions, the demand for high-end corporate housing has completely eclipsed the need for generic, tourist-grade “Airbnb” style units. 

The Corporate and "Bleisure" Pivot: Beyond the Weekend Break 

Birmingham is no longer just a weekend destination; it is a midweek economic powerhouse. The city’s entrenched status as a major hub for the legal, financial, and burgeoning tech sectors means that Monday-to-Friday occupancy is the primary revenue driver for savvy SA operators. Furthermore, the global rise of “bleisure” travel—where corporate travellers extend their stay for leisure at their own expense—has significantly bolstered weekend occupancy for properties that offer premium, lifestyle-oriented amenities. 

Strategic Location: Postcodes That Perform

In , the most resilient and profitable yields are found in postcodes that offer seamless proximity to both the Colmore Row Business District and major transport links like New Street Station and the HS terminal. The postcodes that consistently outperform are: 

• B & B (City Centre): High, non-negotiable demand from senior consultants, legal professionals on secondment, and international business travellers. 

• B (Edgbaston): Sustained, year-round demand from the medical sector (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) and visiting academics at the University of Birmingham. • B (Jewellery Quarter): The preferred choice for the creative, media, and TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecoms) sectors, who demand characterful, well-designed living spaces. 

Burton-on-Trent: The Industrial and Infrastructure Stronghold 

While Birmingham thrives on “white-collar” corporate stays, Burton-on-Trent offers a different, yet equally lucrative, opportunity: the contractor and critical infrastructure market. This is a segment that is often overlooked by amateur hosts but prized by professional operators for its stability and high-yield potential. 

The Power of "Centrum " and the Logistics Economy 

Burton is a critical node in the UK’s logistics and manufacturing network, home to major industrial parks like Centrum  and Stretton Business Park. These hubs host global giants in logistics, brewing (Molson Coors), and engineering. Unlike city-centre tourists, the guests in Burton are often project-based teams, specialist engineers, and infrastructure contractors who require comfortable, “home-from-home” environments for weeks or even months at a time. 

Why Burton Outperforms for Multi-Unit and Mid-Term Bookings 

The “contractor stay” is the holy grail of SA operational efficiency. A single booking for a team of four engineers staying for three months in a four-bedroom house in Burton generates significantly higher net profit than sixteen individual weekend bookings in a city centre flat. The operational advantages are undeniable: 

• Reduced Wear and Tear: Fewer changeovers mean less stress on the property.

• Lower Operational Costs: Cleaning and linen costs are drastically reduced.

• Higher Profit Margin: The ratio of nightly rate to management effort is exceptionally high.

The "Get It Right" Framework: Three Pillars of  Success 

To thrive in the Birmingham and Burton SA markets today, operators must move beyond the passive, “set-and-forget” mindset. Sustainable success is built on three specific, non negotiable pillars: 

Definitional Workspace Standards 

In , a “desk in the corner” is not a workspace; it is an afterthought that gets you a - star review. Professionally managed SA must include high-speed, reliable mesh Wi-Fi, genuinely ergonomic seating, and dedicated, well-lit “Zoom-ready” workspaces. Corporate travel managers and procurement departments now mandate these features as part of their duty of care, and they will not approve properties that fail to meet these standards. 

Operational Integration and AI-Driven Revenue Management 

The most profitable operators are not just managing properties; they are managing data. They use AI-driven dynamic pricing to ensure they never leave money on the table and automated guest screening to protect their assets. By reacting in real-time to events at the NEC, major project starts in Burton, or even fluctuations in flight schedules, these systems ensure maximum yield. A property priced manually is a property that is consistently losing money. 

• Local Compliance Mastery: Your Licence to Operate 

Both Birmingham City Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council have significantly increased their scrutiny of the short-term lets sector. “Getting it right” is not just good practice; it is a condition of being allowed to operate. 

• Planning Clarity: Ensuring your property has the correct planning use class (e.g., C for hotels/guest houses, C for dwelling houses, or a lawful development certificate for specific SA use) is fundamental. Operating without the correct planning permission is a significant risk that can lead to enforcement action and forced closure. 

• Safety Rigour: Exceeding standard fire safety requirements to meet corporate “Duty of Care” audits. This includes having fully certified fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, and clear, accessible safety documentation. 

• Community Relations: Using smart noise-monitoring technology (like Minut) to proactively prevent issues before they escalate into complaints from neighbours or investigations by the council.

Navigating the SA vs. Traditional Let Divide 

Serviced Accommodation in the Midlands can deliver gross revenues x to x higher than a traditional Buy-to-Let. However, the operational intensity and overheads are also significantly higher. The “sweet spot” is found in an advisory-led management model where the property is treated as a high-performance hospitality business, not a simple rental agreement. 

For landlords with blocks of flats or HMOs in these areas, the question is often about creating a strategic “mix.” A hybrid strategy—where some units are let on a long-term basis and others are utilised for SA—can provide the perfect balance of stable, predictable cash flow and high-yield upside. 

In Summary : Clarity and Certainty for Midlands Investors 

Birmingham and Burton remain two of the UK’s most compelling markets for Serviced Accommodation, but only for those who professionalise their approach. The demand is there—from the HS engineers to the “Big Four” consultants—but their expectations for quality, safety, and compliance have never been higher. The amateur host is being priced out, while the professional operator is thriving. 

Secure Your Strategy with a Clarity Call 

If you are currently self-managing your SA or using a traditional agent who doesn’t understand the nuances of the corporate and contractor markets in Birmingham and Burton, you are likely leaving thousands of pounds on the table while carrying unnecessary risk. 

We provide a voice of certainty in this complex, high-stakes market. We invite you to: • WhatsApp: Message us to discuss your property’s potential for the professional SA market. 

• Email: Send over your portfolio details for a high-level performance and compliance audit. 

• Consultation: Book a free -minute consultation. We will provide a no-obligation analysis of how your assets could perform under a professional SA management framework. 

Position your portfolio for the professional era of . Get the certainty your investment deserves. 

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance only. All property investors should seek independent legal, tax, and financial advice before making any investment decisions or

changing their property strategy. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q: Is the SA market in Birmingham and Burton not saturated? 

A: The market for low-quality, generic Airbnbs is saturated. However, the market for high quality, professionally managed Serviced Accommodation targeting the corporate and contractor sectors is experiencing a supply deficit. The “flight to quality” means that demand for compliant, well-designed, and professionally operated units remains incredibly strong. 

Q: What is the single biggest mistake new SA hosts make in these areas? 

A: The biggest mistake is underestimating the operational intensity. They try to manage a hospitality business with a residential letting mindset. This leads to burnout, poor guest reviews, and financial losses. Success in SA requires robust systems for pricing, cleaning, maintenance, and guest communication from day one. 

Q: How important is direct booking for a successful SA business? 

A: It is critical for long-term profitability. While OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com are essential for visibility, their commission fees (-%) erode margins. A professional operator focuses on building a brand and a direct booking website to capture repeat business from corporate clients and contractors, significantly boosting net profit. 

Q: What kind of yields can I realistically expect from a well-run SA in Birmingham or Burton? 

A: While a traditional buy-to-let might yield -% gross, a professionally managed SA in a prime Birmingham or Burton location can achieve gross yields of -% or even higher. Net yields, after all operational costs, are typically x to x that of a single let, provided the operation is run efficiently. 

Q: Do I need a special licence to operate a Serviced Accommodation property? 

A: It depends on the property type and location. For example, if your property is considered an HMO (even if used for short lets), it may be subject to mandatory or additional licensing. Furthermore, planning permission is a critical consideration. Both Birmingham and East Staffordshire councils are actively enforcing rules around unauthorised changes of use from residential (C) to short-term letting. Professional advice is essential to ensure you are fully compliant.  About the Author Amanda Woodward is a UK property entrepreneur specialising in investment, development, management, and training. After buying her first London property in 2010, she achieved financial independence before 30 and built a business that celebrates 15 successful years in 2025. Her portfolio spans buy-to-lets, HMOs, serviced accommodation, and hotel developments across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Birmingham, London, and the South East. A highlight of her career was launching her first hotel in 2019. Beyond property, Amanda has educated thousands of aspiring investors, from small training sessions to major events such as the Rich Dad, Poor Dad seminars and the Women Achievers Congress alongside Kim Kiyosaki. She now co-hosts The Essential Property Podcast with Paul Samuda, sharing insights from over a decade in the industry.

Visit https://www.amandawoodward.co.uk/ to learn more about her work and latest projects.