The acquisition is the first stage of a major expansion that will see the university develop three new hospitality venues across Birmingham, creating more than 150 jobs while providing students with paid employment, apprenticeships, placements and practical learning opportunities alongside experienced hospitality professionals.
The investment programme also includes a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne and a new restaurant and bar at UCB’s Summer Row campus in Birmingham city centre. The existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will also undergo a full refurbishment as part of the investment programme.
Under the plans, Birmingham College of Food, part of UCB, will transform the hotel and restaurant into a new 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant spanning the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors of The Cube.
The venue will operate as a commercial business, offering food and hospitality services developed and delivered by industry professionals, while supporting students from UCB’s well-established hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes by providing hands-on experience in a live hospitality environment.
The expansion follows the launch of UCB’s culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which provides free hospitality training for adults and young people looking to enter or return to the industry.
The new programme represents the first phase of UCB’s ambition to establish additional hospitality venues across Birmingham, with recruitment already under way for hospitality professionals to lead the new venues and a particular focus on attracting alumni back to help train the next generation.
“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,” says professor Michael Harkin, vice-chancellor and principal at UCB.
“Over the past five years, we have invested more than £300m 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 Birmingham College of Food is billed as ‘one of the UK’s leading providers of culinary and hospitality education’. Its public restaurant has welcomed diners since the 1960s and its graduates include numerous Michelin-starred chefs and hospitality leaders.
Redevelopment work on the new venues is expected to take place over the next three to four months, with further details on opening dates and recruitment to be announced as the project progresses.