EDUCATION bosses are to close a major adult learning centre prompting fears of redundancies.

The controversial move will see the Connaught Centre in Hove shut in September.

Owners City College Corporation say closure is necessary because of 20% cuts in government funding for further education in Sussex.

News of the closure was being given to staff at the Connaught Centre this morning. (fri) At this stage it is not known if any will lose their jobs or be moved to other centres in Brighton and Hove Alternative sites for adult education classes in Hove are being investigated including at Blatchington Mill School and Sussex County Cricket Ground.

Phil Frier, principal at City College Brighton, said it faces a £1.8million cut in its budget next year.

He said the Connaught Centre had become increasingly expensive to run and the recent decision to award it Grade II listed building status would increase those costs.

City College will be able to save £300,000 by closing the centre in Connaught Road and holding classes elsewhere.

Mr Frier said: “We are facing the biggest reduction in funding for over 15 years, adding up to £1.8million.

“It means we have lo look very closely at the way we operate both now and in the future.”

City College says it has been forced to identify savings so it can protect teaching and learning services to students.

Robin Morley, chair of City College governors, added: “In order to protect as many teaching jobs as possible we are having to look at other ways of making savings.

“That involved some hard choices around making our estate more efficient.”

Alternative uses will be sought for the building which has been suggested as the site for a new primary school in Hove.

However, the building was deemed unsuitable for use as a school in the 1970s and needs at least £1million spent on it to prevent further structural deterioration.

Fears that it would be sold to Tesco in nearby Church Road and demolished to make way for a petrol station are unlikely to happen because of its recent Listed Building status.

Central Hove councillor Avril Older said: “This has come as a real shock, I was not expecting it.

“The Connaught is a very popular adult education centre and it is a great shame that it will close.

“One possibility is that it could revert to its original use as a school, but the building would need a lot of money spent on it first.

“I would prefer it to remain in use as a public building rather than see it sold to developers to be converted into flats.”

The 125-year-old building's Grade II status means there are strict controls on any alterations that can be made to it.

It cannot be demolished without strict proof that it is in such a bad state of repair that it cannot be saved.