UCB makes £15m commitment to hospitality in Birmingham

University College Birmingham has revealed a £15m investment in the future of hospitality in Birmingham.

Bosses announced the acquisition of the former hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant in The Cube as the first stage of a major investment programme that will deliver three new hospitality venues across the city.

The move will create more than 150 jobs, while providing world-class training opportunities for hospitality students.

The investment programme also includes the opening of a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne, a new café, restaurant and bar at their Summer Row campus, and a full refurbishment of the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food.

The acquisition of two venues within The Cube marks the beginning of a significant investment programme designed to create exceptional learning environments for the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals.

Part of the University's Business School, the Birmingham College of Food will take over the former hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant, transforming the iconic rooftop site with panoramic views across Birmingham and beyond into a new 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant, spanning the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors of The Cube.

The next three to four months will see a programme of major redevelopment and upgrade works get underway.

The venue will operate as a commercial business while supporting students from UCB’s well-established hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes by providing invaluable hands-on experience in a live hospitality environment.

Drawing on the University's extensive expertise, the venue will offer high-quality food and services that represent excellent value, with menus and customer experiences developed and delivered by industry professionals.

This commercial model will enable students to gain practical, real-world skills while contributing to a high-quality visitor experience.

Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, said: "This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for University College Birmingham and demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in exceptional learning environments for our students.

"Over the past five years, we have invested more than £300 million across our campuses, Birmingham city centre and the surrounding communities, and this latest programme represents another significant step forward.

"By creating a collection of high-quality hospitality venues across the city, we are giving our students access to real-world, commercial environments where they can develop the skills, confidence and experience that employers are looking for. At the same time, we are strengthening Birmingham's hospitality sector when it is facing significant challenges by creating new jobs, attracting talented professionals and supporting the city's reputation as a leading destination for hospitality, tourism and culinary excellence.

"This is an investment not only in our students, but in the future of Birmingham."

The investment follows the successful launch of Chelmsley Starters, the culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which offers free training for adults and young people, aiming to give an introduction to working in hospitality or refresh existing skills to get them back into work.

The Birmingham College of Food, as part of University College Birmingham, is recognised as one of the UK's leading providers of culinary and hospitality education. Its on-site restaurant has welcomed diners since the 1960s, making it one of Birmingham's oldest and longest-running restaurants, while its graduates have gone on to enjoy successful careers throughout the hospitality industry, including many Michelin-starred chefs.

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.

"University College Birmingham has an outstanding heritage; the College of Food, part of our Business School, has trained many Michelin-starred chefs as well as countless hospitality leaders who have gone on to successful careers in Birmingham, the UK and around the world.

"We're proud that these new venues will also provide opportunities for many of our alumni to return, bringing their expertise back into the classroom and workplace to inspire and develop the next generation.

"There is no better place in the UK to study hospitality, where students benefit from industry-leading facilities, paid work opportunities and an exceptional practical learning experience that prepares them for long-term commercial success.”

Further updates will be announced in due course, and as the new venues progress towards completion and opening dates, recruitment information will be published.