Café that reclaimed old silversmiths wins award
Unique venue with rooftop ‘farm’ takes gold in tourism awards
ABIRMINGHAM café that opened in a former 1870s silversmiths has won a national tourism award from VisitEngland. The Hive Café and Bakery, which opened in the city’s Jewellery Quarter in 2017, was named the country’s most ethical, responsible and sustainable venue at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
The Hive forms part of Argent College, the first phase of which opened in 2015 in the old Standard Works building.
The college has a biodynamically farmed rooftop garden for growing organic ingredients and a commitment to composting its food and green waste.
The regeneration of Standard Works was led by the Ruskin Mill Trust, a Gloucestershire-based charity which provides education to young people struggling to engage in learning in a mainstream provision including those with autism and other learning difficulties.
Suzanne Carter, team leader for the heritage programme at The Hive, said: “The gold award was really unexpected and means so much to all of us who work at The Hive and at
Ruskin Mill Trust. This is a unique venue and the hard work that our staff and students put into the rooftop farm means we are able to serve a fresh and seasonal organic menu where the ingredients are delivered with student footprints rather than carbon ones.
“We are working up our plans for reopening in mid-September with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and purpose, thanks to this wonderful award from VisitEngland, and cannot wait to start feeding people again.”
Birmingham’s Hippodrome theatre was awarded a silver in the accessible and inclusive tourism category and The Howard Arms in Warwickshire picked up a bronze for pub of the year.
The annual awards, now in their 31st year, celebrate the UK’s top tourism destinations across 19 categories and pitted 53 winners from 18 separate regional awards held earlier this year against one another.
The West Midlands Tourism Awards were held at the University of Birmingham in February in partnership with the Birmingham Post’s publisher Reach. The online ceremony also recognised the business events industry, which included the NEC in Solihull, for its work to support England’s Nightingale Hospitals as part of a special outstanding contribution award.
Becky Frall, head of visitor attraction at economic body the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “Congratulations to the tireless tourism professionals at The Hive, Birmingham Hippodrome and The Howard Arms for winning awards and representing the West Midlands on the national stage.
“It has been a testing time for everybody working within the tourism sector and we continue to offer support for all of our visitor economy partners as they recover.
“This event gave us the opportunity to thank those across the West Midlands who deliver unforgettable experiences for the millions of people who visit the region each year.
“We look forward to shortly launching our 2021 West Midlands Tourism Awards where we will celebrate and recognise the businesses and individuals who have demonstrated particular innovation, resilience and compassion during the current pandemic.”