University College Birmingham has announced the acquisition of two venues within Birmingham’s The Cube.
The acquisition marks the beginning of a significant investment programme designed to create learning environments for the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals.
The Birmingham College of Food, part of University College Birmingham, will take over the former The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant.
The iconic rooftop site, which offers panoramic views across Birmingham and beyond, will be transformed into a new 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant.
The new venue will span the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors of The Cube.
It will operate as a commercial business while supporting students from UCB’s hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes.
The model will provide hands-on experience in a live hospitality environment.
Drawing on the University’s expertise, the venue will offer food and services developed and delivered by industry professionals.
UCB said the commercial model will allow students to gain practical, real-world skills while contributing to a high-quality visitor experience.
The acquisition forms the first stage of a wider programme that will see UCB expand its portfolio of commercial hospitality venues across Birmingham.
Initial investment across the programme will exceed £15m.
Alongside the new hotel and restaurant, UCB will open a neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne and a new restaurant and bar at its Summer Row campus in Birmingham city centre.
The existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will also undergo a full refurbishment.
Collectively, the new venues will create more than 150 hospitality jobs for people across Birmingham and beyond.
They will also provide students with paid employment, apprenticeships, placements and practical learning opportunities alongside experienced hospitality professionals.
Students from Birmingham College of Food will gain real-world experience across a range of commercial hospitality settings as part of their studies.
The investment follows the launch of a culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which offers free training for adults and young people.
The school aims to introduce people to working in hospitality or help them refresh existing skills to return to work.
The new programme represents the first phase of UCB’s ambition to establish further hospitality venues across Birmingham.
The University said the strategy will give students a broader range of environments in which to develop their skills and prepare for hospitality careers.
Recruitment is already underway for hospitality professionals to lead each venue.
UCB said there will be a particular focus on welcoming alumni back to help train the next generation of industry talent.
The Birmingham College of Food 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.
Its graduates have gone on to build careers throughout the hospitality industry, including many Michelin-starred chefs.
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.”
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 to UCB, 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.”
University College Birmingham provides further and higher education, sixth-form provision, apprenticeships and university courses to more than 10,000 students.
Major redevelopment and upgrade works are set to take place over the next three to four months.
Further updates, opening dates and recruitment information will be announced as the venues progress towards completion.