High levels of occupancy in Birmingham have contributed to office management company Stonemartin's confidence in future prospects.

In a statement ahead of the the firm's AGM, chairman Richard Mead said there had been steady progress on a number of fronts.

He said contracted occupancy at the Institute of Directors hub in Birmingham's Victoria Square currently stood at 92 per cent.

"Our emphasis remains to improve the overall returns from the building and, to this end, a planning application has been lodged for further works to provide expanded conference facilities and a new restaurant," he added.

In the statement, Mr Mead said that construction was also continuing on the new building in Bristol, where the main contract is due for completion in September.

Occupancy rates in other cities stood at stand at 76 per cent in Manchester, 41 per cent in Reading and 35 per cent in the City of London.