The investment will see the university create three new hospitality venues across Birmingham, creating more than 150 jobs and providing training opportunities for hospitality students.
The former Cube Hotel and restaurant will be transformed into a new 52 bedroom hotel and restaurant across the 23rd, 24th and 25th floors of The Cube.
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The venue will operate as a commercial business while giving students from UCB’s hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes hands on experience in a live hospitality environment.
Major redevelopment and upgrade works are set to take place over the next three to four months.
Skills pipeline
The wider investment programme will also include 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.
UCB said the venues would provide students with paid employment, apprenticeships, placements and practical learning opportunities alongside experienced hospitality professionals.
The investment comes amid a renewed focus on hospitality skills, with pub and hospitality operators continuing to invest in training, apprenticeships and development programmes to support recruitment and retention.
The Morning Advertiser (MA) has previously reported on operators including Fuller’s, Hydes, Admiral Taverns and Laine Pub Company investing in structured training and apprenticeship schemes to help futureproof their workforces.
It also follows wider calls for hospitality to be recognised as a major growth and employment sector, after operators hit back earlier this year at comments from the Chancellor’s entrepreneurship adviser that the UK did not need “any more restaurants”.
Future talent
University College Birmingham vice chancellor and principal Professor Michael Harkin 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.
“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.”
UCB commercial director David Cumberlidge said the acquisitions would allow students to learn and work alongside experienced hospitality professionals in a range of commercial settings.
He added: “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.”
Recruitment is already underway for hospitality professionals to lead each venue, with UCB particularly looking to bring alumni back to help train the next generation of industry talent.
