University College Birmingham acquires Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant in £15 million plan

University College Birmingham has acquired The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant as the first phase of a £15 million investment programme set to transform hospitality training in the city.

The investment will deliver three new hospitality venues across Birmingham, creating more than 150 jobs while providing students with hands-on training opportunities in real-world hospitality environments.

The £15 million investment programme also includes the opening of a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne, a new café, restaurant and bar at the Summer Row campus, and a full refurbishment of the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food.

Part of the University's Business School, the Birmingham College of Food will take over the former The Cube 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.

Professor Michael Harkin, UCB vice-chancellor and principal, 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."

Collectively, the new venues will create more than 150 hospitality jobs for people across Birmingham and beyond while providing students with paid employment, apprenticeships, placements and practical learning opportunities alongside experienced hospitality professionals.

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.

Raj Kandola, deputy chief executive at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is an exciting development for Birmingham, the city’s hospitality sector, and for emerging talent coming into the industry.

“University College Birmingham, a valued Chamber patron, is once again backing the city with real investment - creating over 150 jobs plus paid placements and apprenticeships for its students.

“It's also great to see these spaces in one of Birmingham's most iconic buildings being brought back to life, following the closure of the Marco Pierre White restaurant earlier this year. We wish UCB every success with this venture.”