University College Birmingham (UCB) has announced a £15 million investment programme to expand its hospitality facilities across Birmingham.
The first stage will see UCB acquire the former Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant and transform the rooftop site into a new 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant across the 23rd, 24th, and 25th floors of The Cube. Redevelopment and upgrade work is expected to begin over the next three to four months.
The new venue will operate as a commercial business while giving students from UCB’s hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business, and events management courses the chance to gain practical experience in a live hospitality environment.
The wider programme will also include a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne, a café, restaurant, and bar at the Summer Row campus, and a full refurbishment of the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food.
Together, the new venues are expected to create more than 150 hospitality jobs across Birmingham. Students will also have access to paid employment, apprenticeships, placements, and practical learning opportunities alongside experienced hospitality professionals.
The expansion follows the launch of Chelmsley Starters, UCB’s culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which provides free hospitality training for adults and young people.
Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at UCB, said, “This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter and demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in exceptional learning environments for our students. This is an investment not only in our students, but in the future of Birmingham.”
David Cumberlidge, Commercial Director, added – “These acquisitions create an incredible opportunity for our students to learn and work alongside experienced hospitality professionals in a range of exciting commercial settings.
The university said further updates, including recruitment and opening information, will be announced as the new venues progress.”
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