Digbeth Dining Club reveals new Dockworks Waterfront venture opening date - here's all the latest details about the exciting new West Midlands food destination
The hotly-anticipated new canalside food and events venue from Digbeth Dining Club in Brierley Hill at the Dockworks Waterfront has announced its opening date, with 50 new jobs created.
The Digbeth Dining Club team have taken over an empty unit at The Waterfront complex in Brierley Hill, in the Dudley borough, and given it a £500,000 refit to turn it into what will be called Dockworks Waterfront.
After months of speculation, the team have now revealed it will open on Friday February 27 in 'development mode' - with local businesses and partners invited to help shape the offering and Masterchef Professionals champion Dan Lee confirmed as the first of seven culinary creators set to cook up a storm in week one.
The opening date announcement comes after months of intensive specialist construction, engineering and design work to ready the 7,000 sq ft space, which had been empty for 15 years.
As well as an indoor two-room main space, the new development will feature a crescent shaped food trader court and seating with waterside views.
The venture, which will have capacity for 650 people and create 50 new hospitality jobs, will feature up to seven street food traders, with a regularly rotating line-up of businesses drawn from DDC’s pool of culinary talent. It will also offer live music, comedy nights, quizzes, sports screenings, independent markets and other events similar to those presented at Digbeth Dining Club's Birmingham venue Herbert’s Yard, Longbridge as well as the business’ previous successful project Hockley Social Club.
Jack Brabant, co-founder and director of Digbeth Dining Club, said “Dockworks means so much more to us than opening a new venue. It’s about us bringing back a long-forgotten but important site and filling it with good food, good people, and good times.
“We’re also focussed on making the most of this opportunity to redefine how a destination venue can be designed for, and with, the community it serves.
“DDC has always sought to push creative boundaries, and this project has allowed us the space to bring our energy and expertise to the Waterfront in a really exciting way
“We encourage all fans of casual dining and social experiences to join us and help us to shape this new community venue."
The launch of Dockworks Waterfront comes after a series of high profile DDC events in 2025 across Dudley, including at Himley Hall and the Black Country Living Museum.
Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles said she hopes it will act as a catalyst for Dudley's business eco-system and boost nightlife in the area.
She said: "The arrival of Dockworks Waterfront represents a major vote of confidence in the Black Country, as well as a clear sign that hospitality businesses are still at the heart of our communities.
“The social, economic, and cultural benefits of investment in local dining, leisure and NTE are well proven.
“We hope this latest addition to Dudley’s business ecosystem acts as a ‘game-changing’ catalyst, attracting more visitors, boosting our vibrant nightlife, and highlighting the West Midlands as an attractive place to live, work, and visit."
Dockworks Waterfront is set to open at midday on Friday February 27.
