University College Birmingham has taken over the former Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant. UCB’s Birmingham College of Food will transform the iconic rooftop site (having suddenly closed last month) into a new 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant spanning The Cube’s 23rd, 24th and 25th floors.
The new venue will not only operate as a commercial business, but also support students from UCB’s hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes by providing hands-on experience in a live hospitality environment and enabling students to gain practical, real-world skills.
Guests should still expect high-quality food and service at excellent value, with menus and customer experiences developed by industry professionals. The site of the former Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White steakhouse will also still boast unbeatable, panoramic views across Birmingham and beyond.
A £15 million investment…
This acquisition is just the first stage of a major investment programme that will see UCB expand its portfolio of commercial hospitality venues across the city. A £15 million investment will see UCB open new restaurants in Harborne and at its Summer Row campus, while the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will undergo a full refurbishment.
Collectively, these new hospitality venues will create more than 150 hospitality jobs, on top of providing students with paid employment, apprenticeships, and placements. The investment follows the launch of a culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which offers free training for adults and young people to give an introduction to working in hospitality.
The Birmingham College of Food’s 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—including Brad Carter, Adam Smith, and Liam Dillon.
“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,” said Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham.
“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.”
