The University of Birmingham has received planning permission to build a 172 bedroom hotel and new conference facility on Edgbaston Park Road, as part of a series of exciting regeneration developments taking place on campus.
To be known as Hornton Grange Hotel and Conference Centre, the new facility will encompass the current Conference Park, offering additional employment to around 40 individuals and increasing the overall provision to 220 beds. Conference and meeting room capacity in the new complex will offer increased flexibility, from intimate rooms that seat four up to larger rooms that cater for up to 200 guests.
Stuart Richards, Director of Hospitality Services at the University of Birmingham, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for work to begin on our new hotel and conference facility, which will enable us to expand our offering and provide an enhanced experience for those that visit us.
“The location of the new facility has the architectural backdrop of Hornton Grand and Garth House in picturesque Edgbaston. Guests can expect a country house hotel experience, offering first class, modern accommodation and facilities for a range of conferences and meetings, as well as corporate and private functions.
“With excellent transport links and its location to Birmingham City Centre, we are looking forward to welcoming guests to our new hotel where they’ll be able to seamlessly access the wide range of facilities on campus - such as the Bramall, recently refurbished Lapworth Museum, the Barber Art Gallery and Winterbourne House, as well as being able to visit and explore the city.”
Development plans include regenerating Garth House, a Grade II listed building, and Hornton Grange, as part of the work to preserve them for future generations. Garth House, an Arts and Crafts house, was built in 1900 while Hornton Grange was constructed in 1928. Both these buildings on Edgbaston Park Road form part of the University’s existing conference facilities with rooms available to hire through Venuebirmingham.
This development is part of a number of projects that are creating outstanding new facilities that will benefit the local community, visitors, students and staff which also include a new library opening next month (August) and a state-of-the-arts sports facility opening later this year.
Work on this new complex is due to start imminently with the first guests welcomed into the new facility from summer 2018.
To find out more about the conference and event facilities that are available to hire, including the Great Hall and the Bramall, visit www.venuebirmingham.co.uk
Notes to editors
The image used is an artist impression of what the new facility will look like. These images are subject to change.
To find out more email Sarah-Jayne Butcher, PR Officer at the University of Birmingham on s.butcher@bham.ac.uk