Acquisition and Investment Details
University College Birmingham (UCB) has taken over The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse in Birmingham city centre after the venues ceased trading with immediate effect. The acquisition is part of a £15 million investment by UCB, which will see the Birmingham College of Food, a division of UCB, operate the top three floors of the landmark high-rise as a 52-bedroom hotel and restaurant.
The Cube Hotel, which housed the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, announced its closure last month with a notice stating: "We regret to inform you that, with immediate effect, The Cube Hotel and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Birmingham have ceased trading and are now closed."
Commercial Operation and Student Training
The new venue will run as a commercial business while providing students from UCB's hotel, hospitality, culinary arts, business and events management programmes with hands-on experience in a real-world environment. This model allows students to work alongside experienced hospitality professionals, gaining practical skills while contributing to the business's success.
In addition to the Cube Hotel, UCB will open a new neighbourhood restaurant in Harborne and a new restaurant and bar at its Summer Row campus in the city centre. The existing Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will also undergo a full refurbishment as part of the investment programme.
Job Creation and Community Impact
The new venues are expected to generate more than 150 hospitality jobs, offering paid employment, apprenticeships, placements and practical learning opportunities. UCB's vice-Chancellor and principal, Prof 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."
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."
Quotes from University Leadership
David Cumberlidge, commercial director at UCB, 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."
He continued: "We're proud 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."
Expansion Plans and Future Venues
This investment follows the successful launch of a culinary school in Chelmsley Wood, which offers free training for adults and young people aiming to gain an introduction to hospitality or refresh existing skills to return to work. The new programme represents the first phase of UCB's ambition to establish additional hospitality venues across Birmingham, giving students an even broader range of environments for skill development.
Major redevelopment and upgrade works are scheduled over the next three to four months, and recruitment information will be published as the venues progress towards completion and opening dates. Further updates on the expansion are expected in due course.
