Conference centre built by Cadbury goes on market
A CONFERENCE centre built more than a century ago in Birmingham by the city’s famous Cadbury family has been placed on the market for £2.5 million.
The Beeches was originally developed in the early 1900s to provide housing for underprivileged children in the Bournville area and has since been used as a nursing home, college and training centre for the chocolate maker.
The site in Selly Oak Road, which is currently closed, has 56 en suite bedrooms, 22 conference syndicate and private dining rooms, a restaurant, bar and parking facilities set within three acres of landscaped gardens.
Prior to its closure in March 2020, The Beeches operated as a multi-faceted business, predominantly specialising in the corporate market with an emphasis on conferencing and events.
The property is held on a 125-year lease from The Bournville Trust with 119 years unexpired.
Knight Frank has been appointed by The Chartridge Conference Company to sell the long leasehold on the site.
Alice Serby, a surveyor in the consultancy’s hotel agency team, said: “We are delighted to be advising Chartridge Conference Company on its future strategy which includes the sale of The Beeches Birmingham.
“The meetings, conference and events market has witnessed strong growth in recent months.
“As corporate offices begin to fill up, there is a definitive shift from virtual to live events, with clear evidence of a surge in activity with pent-up demand for meetings and events and The Beeches represents a great opportunity to capitalise on this returning market.”