Irish group reveals hospitality complex plans for Birmingham’s Central Methodist Hall

Irish Hospitality Group Press Up is seeking to transform the Grade II*-listed Central Methodist Hall in Birmingham into a large hospitality complex including a 150-bedroom hotel.

Operated by Press Up Hospitality Group, the Dean Birmingham hotel would have a rooftop restaurant, gym and events space, as well as the restoration of the central hall into a 1,500 seat event space, and a number of retail and hospitality units on the ground floor.

The Dean is a design-led hotel brand operated by Press Up Hospitality Group with locations in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Each Dean features a Sophie’s rooftop restaurant and terrace and an art collection celebrating local artists. The Dean Birmingham will be the first location for the brand outside of the Republic of Ireland.

Press Up Hospitality Group and sister company and property developer Oakmount, working with TODD Architects, have submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council after acquiring the Methodist Hall, completed in 1904. Run by the Methodist Church until 1991 and more recently as a major live music destination as Que Club, the building has been vacant since 2017 and has fallen into disrepair, now featuring on Heritage England’s At Rick Register.

A spokesperson for the Press Up Hospitality Group said the transformation of the central hall into an events venue would provide “much needed, centrally located space for cultural, art and music events.”

Established in 2009, Press Up Hospitality Group’s portfolio includes more than 65 brands and venues, including Stella Cinema, Glasson Lakehouse, Wowburger and the Mayson hotel in Dublin.

Oakmount and Press Up Hospitality Group are both part of the parent company McKillen Corporation, directed by Patrick McKillen Junior