Architect tells of dismay over The Public plan

Will Alsop, who called the iconic black and pink structure in West Bromwich his 'box of delights', first learned of the proposals after being contacted by the Express & Star.

And today he blasted the plans, claiming they were 'just about money' and said he hoped the council would rethink the changes.

"I think it is just the council trying to save £1.5 million, it is about nothing else, it is just about money," Mr Alsop said.

"I don't know how they would fit into it and it would be quite expensive to do. The building externally is a very simple building, but internally it is very advanced so they would have to change it and I wouldn't like that.

"At the moment the visitor numbers are high and when we have got Tesco open it is just going to increase the numbers and why would you then give it to a sixth form college?

"I also understand, and I can't judge because I'm not living in the town, but now the people in the town have really taken The Public on board and they like it and they are interested and as it goes forward they will be more interested in things going on.

"I think there is a question to be asked – the sixth form is a brand new building, why didn't they build it big enough in the first place? It is complete nonsense, and a sixth form college isn't accessible to the public.

"I think they are just throwing something away for the sake of £1.5m which sounds a lot of money, but these days it's not.

"They are throwing away something that was hard fought for and not without its problems, but it has become a success and it is set, with all of the other changes to the town, to become a real success."

It has been revealed that top-level talks are taking place between Sandwell College and the council for the college to take over the New Street building just five years after it opened in 2008. Sandwell Council took over the management of the centre in 2009 after the Arts Council walked away, and continues to pump £1.5m a year into the building.

Leader Councillor Darren Cooper has said the authority has 'gone as far as we can' with the building.

The college aims to offer 500 places for A Level students at The Public if plans go ahead due to demand for places.

College Principal Val Bailey has said The Public could be a 'perfect fit' and moving the sixth form to the building would free up space on the Sandwell College campus, in nearby Spon Lane, to expand vocational courses.

As well as holding exhibitions, events and entertainment, The Public is also home to 27 companies employing about 60 people and its own staff.

In 2001 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.