By Shuaib Shafi
A group of Brighton students are celebrating after their college was given a reprieve from closure.
Access to Music planned to close its Brighton campus at Enterprise Point, in Melbourne Street, after the building’s owner was granted planning permission to redevelop the site.
The closure would have meant that students currently studying there would not have been able to extend their diplomas and no future students would be able to study there.
In a statement on its website, posted on Friday (15 April), Access to Music said: “We are pleased to announce that Access to Music Brighton has been granted a 12-month extension to its lease at Enterprise Point.
“We are grateful to our landlords, to students and parents, and to our staff for their support and assistance in enabling us to reach this agreement.”
Before the announcement, more than 3,500 people had signed an online petition asking for help to relocate the college.
Students have reacted with delight at the news. Student Izzy Finlay-Smith 16, said: “I’m over the moon! I’m so happy and relieved. Now I can continue to focus on my studies and music now without worrying.”
It is not clear what will happen after the 12-month extension ends.
Access to Music has centres across Britain and offer vocational music qualifications for school leavers.
