First look at Public's big transformation

It has the same pink and black theme, but this iconic arts centre has been almost completely transformed.

New work benches now fill the halls where exciting interactive art installations used to thrill visitors to West Bromwich's controversial the Public.

Underneath the famous pink, misshapen windows, college students will soon be busy working towards their A-levels. The arts centre, which originally cost £72 million to build, closed down last year amid protests from those who used it.

After thousands of people poured through its doors on its final day in November, Sandwell College moved in to transform the inside of the building into a sixth form.

These images give a sneak peek into the complete internal transformation which has taken place at the building over the past year. Individual classrooms stand where once there was an open space, while benches await Bunsen burners and test tubes where pensioners waltzed at tea dances.

The pink theme which became associated with the Public has been kept throughout as it wraps around an open-plan IT room.

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High-tech facilities within the state-of-the-art interior

And students will be welcomed with a state-of-the-art interior when they first walk through the doors.

Scott Upton, the vice-principal at Sandwell College, said: "We believe that our sympathetic conversion of the Public building will amaze, appeal to and attract pupils and parents giving us the opportunity to expand and give our students a fantastic, inspiring environment for achieving their full potential."

Hundred of students from Sandwell and beyond will eventually be taught at the new-look facility, which will be called Central Sixth, when it reaches full capacity.

The building will remain the same externally, except for new signage which is expected to be fixed over the coming weeks.

But internally the building has been completely remodelled by contractor Interserve with new classrooms, science lab and IT hub. Conversion work is nearing completion ready to welcome the first students with an official opening planned for October.

College bosses say access between the floors has been improved, with a third floor now hosting the building's IT hub, while many of the open spaces will be retained as extra learning environments or for seminars. A business support centre will also be based in the campus to help start-up companies, while arts-based activities are still expected to be offered to the general public. There will also be a cafe.

The building's iconic exterior will largely be kept the same

The Public opened amid a storm of controversy in 2008. It was dubbed a 'pink elephant' and closed amid the same atmosphere last year after cash-strapped Sandwell Council pulled its £1.6 million annual subsidy, despite visitor numbers continuing to grow, with an estimated 380,000 people visiting between 2012 and 2013.

At the time, Arts Council England said closure of the Public would be a massive loss to the region's arts provision.

Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: "It should be recognised that the college and council have committed to a public facing arts and culture programme and that the building will be part of developing the next generation of creatively engaged young people."

Sandwell College says Central Sixth will help it continue to build on its growing success after two weeks ago receiving its first ever set of A-level results showing a 99 per cent pass rate overall. Earlier this year it was also given its best ever grade by Ofsted.

Principal Graham Pennington said: "The success is a growing sign of improving standards in the borough and that young people have access to high quality education in local schools and colleges without the need to travel out of the area."