UCB buys Cube hotel in £15m hospitality plan

A university has bought a recently-closed hotel and restaurant as part of a £15m investment programme, aimed at expanding hospitality training and creating more than 150 jobs across the city.

University College Birmingham said the former hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant at The Cube would be transformed into a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant, giving students hands-on experience in a live commercial setting while welcoming paying customers.

UCB commercial director David Cumberlidge called it an "exciting" venture.

"It's great for the city, great for University College Birmingham, and we're looking forward to trying to get it open as quick as possible so everyone can enjoy it."

The news comes a month after the venue announced its closure "with immediate effect".

The redevelopment is the first phase of a wider programme that will also see a new restaurant open in Harborne, a cafe, restaurant and bar at the university's Summer Row campus, and a refurbishment of the existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food.

Cumberlidge added: "We've wanted a hotel for a long time at University College Birmingham, so it came at the right time… It will be fabulous for our students to learn in.

"I think it is the right time to invest, it's important that we do invest in Birmingham and invest in our students' futures."

The commercial director said the investment would create more than 150 hospitality jobs, alongside paid work opportunities, apprenticeships and placements for students studying hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management.

Students could expect to gain experience across a range of hospitality environments, from hotels to neighbourhood restaurants, helping prepare them for careers in the sector, he explained.

"What the students are going to get is this experience of being able to work in hotel environments with conferences, events, weddings, birthdays… They can work at a neighbourhood restaurant and learn how to be part of a community… plenty of opportunities for our students.

"We want that owner or that GM to go: 'Wow, I've got a student here with a degree who's been able to work in a hotel, conference and events, a neighbourhood restaurant, a small‑plates casual fast concept – and studied and learned in a fine‑dining environment.'"

University College Birmingham said the investment would build on more than £300m spent on its campuses and facilities over the past five years.

Recruitment for the new venues is already under way, with the university hoping to attract experienced hospitality professionals, including former students.

Major refurbishment work is expected to take place over the coming months. The university said further details, including opening dates for the new venues and recruitment opportunities, would be announced later this year.

"It's going to be celebrating Birmingham, the history of Birmingham, right at the top of an iconic building."

"We're committed to spending the money, and we want to get it open as quick as possible so everyone can enjoy it."

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