The Public deal is signed and sealed
A deal to transform The Public into a college has been signed, as bosses confirmed hundreds had already applied for places.
The deal between Sandwell Council and Sandwell College for the building will see it become a sixth form centre.
Conversion work will be carried out in time for the Central Sixth campus to open in September 2014. It will include arts space and business support facilities. More than 700 applications have already been received from potential students keen to secure their sixth form place, with more anticipated during the college's January open events. Around 500 places are available.
College bosses, who signed the deal yesterday, are urging people to apply as soon as possible to beat the enrolment rush.
The college will offer range of arts, science and social science subjects aimed at sending students to university and into careers and business. Under the partnership, the council and college are planning to base a business support centre at the building to help start-up companies.
There will also be a variety of arts-based activities at the building that will be open to the general public including a cafe on the ground floor with a programme of events, photography, fashion shows and exhibition space, space for some local community arts activities, a series of summer shows showcasing the work of creative and performing arts students and Sandwell's annual arts festival.
The council is also developing its plans for comedy and music performances at West Bromwich Town Hall.
Scott Upton, vice-principal at Sandwell College, said: "Our aim is to build up a premier sixth form in the region.Central Sixth is heavily over-subscribed."
