University College Birmingham Launches £15 Million Hospitality Expansion with Acquisition of The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White Restaurant
Birmingham's The Cube
University College Birmingham (UCB) has initiated a substantial £15 million investment programme in the hospitality sector, beginning with the acquisition of the former The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant. This move marks the first step in creating three new hospitality venues across Birmingham, expected to generate over 150 jobs and provide practical training opportunities for hospitality students.
The Birmingham College of Food, a division of UCB, will transform the iconic rooftop location spanning the 23rd to 25th floors of The Cube into a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant. Offering panoramic views of Birmingham, the venue will function as a commercial enterprise while serving as a live training ground for students enrolled in UCB’s hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business, and events management programmes.
Students will gain hands-on experience by working alongside industry professionals who will develop and deliver menus and customer services, ensuring high-quality food and excellent value. This approach aims to equip students with real-world skills in a commercial hospitality environment while maintaining a superior visitor experience.
In addition to The Cube project, UCB plans to open a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne and establish a café, restaurant, and bar at its Summer Row campus in Birmingham city centre. The existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will also undergo a comprehensive refurbishment as part of the wider investment.
Collectively, these venues will create more than 150 hospitality jobs across Birmingham and surrounding areas. They will also offer students paid employment, apprenticeships, placements, and practical learning opportunities alongside seasoned hospitality professionals, enriching their educational experience.
This initiative follows the successful launch of a culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which provides free training for adults and young people to enter or re-enter the hospitality workforce.
Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, stated: “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.”
He added: “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, commented: “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 serves over 10,000 students from Birmingham, the wider region, the UK, and internationally. Its diverse curriculum includes Nursing and Health, Business and Finance, Tourism and Hospitality, Computing, Cyber Security, Creative Studies, Digital and IT, Psychology and Social Work, Education, Sustainable Construction and Engineering, and Sport. These programmes are delivered through three academic schools: the Business School, the School of Health, Life Sciences and Education, and the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment.
Major redevelopment and upgrade works for the new venues are underway and expected to continue over the next three to four months. Recruitment for hospitality professionals to lead each venue is in progress, with a focus on engaging UCB alumni to contribute to training future industry talent. Further updates, including opening dates and recruitment information, will be announced in due course.
