School rents kitchen to restaurant to raise funds

Staff at a Birmingham primary school say they have become the first outside of London to rent out their kitchen to local restaurants to raise money

Billesley Primary School is launching Eat School Rent, a scheme that allows food businesses to use school kitchens during evenings and weekends.

The initiative began on Wednesday with a pop-up service run by Moseley restaurant Chakana, which will prepare food from the school kitchen for delivery across the city, while continuing normal service at its main site.

The scheme's founder Ben Rosenberg, who grew up in Birmingham, said the city was a natural place to expand.

Eat School Rent was launched in London in 2025 and has already worked with several schools in the capital, who are partnered up with a social enterprise.

He said Birmingham was "the perfect place" for the idea to grow, adding that schools needed new ways to raise funds, while restaurants were looking for affordable kitchen space.

"It's a city of food lovers, entrepreneurs, and educators who aren't afraid to try something new, it's also where I was raised," he said.

"Schools need fresh ways to bring in money."

School leaders said the scheme offered a way to generate income without placing extra pressure on staff.

Billesley vice principal Ryan Hook said they were always looking for new ways to support pupils and improve resources.

"This is about making the most of what we already have," he said.

"It's a simple idea with a big impact. The money made will be reinvested into food and sustainability projects."

Restaurant owner Steve Dickinson said the partnership would also help businesses reach new customers.

He described the idea of using a school kitchen for a delivery service as "brilliant", adding that it allowed restaurants to grow while supporting local education.

"We're excited to bring Chakana's flavours to a wider Birmingham audience while supporting a school in the process," he said.

"It works for caterers or restaurants who need low cost, high quality kitchens but more importantly helping local schools raise vital additional income."

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