Jobs pledge if Sandwell College takes over The Public

Vice principal Scott Upton said the number of A-level and AS-level students would double if Sandwell College's sixth form took over the £72 million gallery in West Bromwich – and that it would mean new teaching staff were needed.

It comes as the groundswell of opposition to the proposals continues to grow.

More than 1,370 people have already signed an online petition against it.

Martin Jones, the manager of drum and bass DJ and graffiti artist Goldie between 1984 and 1990, became the latest high-profile critic of the proposed development today. Goldie was one of 18 pictured in portraits during the Zulu Lives exhibition.

Mr Jones said: "Having battled for so long, since the days of Jubilee Arts, for the borough to have decent arts facilities, why must Sandwell have them snatched away?

"I could not have advanced his career without the help of facilities such as Midlands Arts Centre and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, both of which opened their doors to creative work with youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"There would seem to be very powerful interests at play to make this sixth-form move a fait accompli. It would be shameful if they were to walk into a facility paid for by the taxpayer, via the Arts Council, specifically for the arts, and use it for their own empire building."

If the plans for the New Street gallery went ahead, Mr Upton there would be capacity for 1,000 at the arts centre. The freed up space at the college would be used to introduce new vocational arts courses and expand existing courses.

Mr Upton said: "If we double the number of students it follows we will need more lecturers." Mr Upton said it was too early to be specific about the number of jobs.

Under the plans, the ground floor of The Public would remain as exhibition space but the 29 businesses residing in the building would have to move. The college plans are the latest twist in the long-running saga over the gallery, which has faced public criticism since being built in 2008.

The black and pink centre opened 12 months after its due date, millions of pounds of pounds over budget, and was condemned by the Commons Culture Select Committee as a 'gross waste of public money'.

The Arts Council contributed £31.8m to the project, up from an original £19m. Sandwell Council took over the centre in 2009 and continues to pump £1.5 million a year into the building. Sandwell College says it currently has capacity for 500 A-level and AS-level students on the sixth floor of its Spon Lane building.