University News Last updated 14 March 2011
University expertise is being used to develop an urban farm and technology centre on the site of the iconic former HP Sauce factory.
Birmingham City University is working with the owners of Indian cuisine supplier East End Foods, who are building a new £35m distribution hub, a technology centre and hotel on the site in Aston.
In 2007 the factory was closed and bought two years ago by the Wouhra family. The firm is now ready to start work on phase one of its fourth facility, which will see construction of a 100,000 sq ft cash and carry and a distribution centre.
The University’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment (TEE) has been researching the use of algae to create an alternative fuel and this expertise will be used in the site’s Urban Farm. Whilst attending an event at East End Foods last year the Prime Minister, David Cameron (pictured), viewed some of TEE’s work which aims to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Dean of the Faculty, Peter Rayson, said: "As stated in a report by the Government Chief Scientific adviser Professor Sir John Beddington, globally there are a billion people who are hungry, another billion who are malnourished, and that unless action is taken, there will not be enough food for the growing population.
“Sir John noted the challenges ahead and stated that farmers, politicians, economists and scientists need to think how to make food production more efficient and deal with the problems of water and energy. The work the University is conducting with East End Foods, aims to contribute towards finding a solution to these challenges.
“East End Foods has partnered with the University and TEE because of our expertise in Bioenergy, Construction, Media and ICT because these capabilities underpin the Urban Farm and an educational Food Journey Experience centre that are planned for the new facility. All schools within the Faculty have contributed to this project.”