Arts college plan is revealed for The Public

Sandwell College wants to take over the arts centre, which opened in 2008, and provide places for 500 A-level students.

And today borough council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said early indications would suggest that the college are looking to develop this as a sixth form arts college as well as keep on some of the user groups that currently use the site.

Councillor Cooper said: "It might be possible to continue with some of the current user groups that use the facilities. If not we will accommodate those people elsewhere in West Bromwich."

"I am getting a message back from the college that potentially they will be looking to have this as a sixth form arts college so we may be able to get the best of both worlds," he added.

It comes after members of Sandwell's full council discussed a petition of 5,000 signatures which was handed in to the authority in opposition to the proposed transformation.

The petition calls for 'The Public to remain as a valuable community, cultural and learning resource for everyone'. It has been organised by apprentices from the LearnPlay Foundation, a tenant at the New Street venue.

Petition organiser James Higgs, from West Bromwich, also addressed councillors at the meeting.

Talks are continuing to take place between the council and the college and a final decision is due to be made by late summer in order for the sixth form to open in September 2014.

Sandwell Council took over the management of the New Street centre in 2009 after the Arts Council walked away, and continues to pump £1.5 million a year into the building.

Building work on the iconic pink and black structure, designed by architect Will Alsop, started in 1995 and after a number of delays the centre finally opened in 2008.

In 2011 the Arts Council was accused of funding a building that was 'not fit for purpose' in a damning report into the organisation's role in building the centre.

Sandwell's deputy council leader Councillor Mahboob Hussain has said the council wants to secure a long-term future for the building.