THE University of Brighton has announced it plans to close its campus in Eastbourne as part of restructuring plans.

Proposals by the university, as part of a "prospectus for change", involve expanding its Falmer campus and the closure of its campus in Eastbourne by the start of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Brighton University has had a campus in the town since 1979.

In its report, the university said that buildings at the campus are among the oldest, least accessible, least sustainable and most expensive to maintain, and that the campus "represents a disproportionate and significant long-term challenge for the university's financial position and limits our ability to invest in enhancing the student and staff experience".

Vice-chancellor of the university Professor Debra Humphris said: "Our proposals will enable us to continue to develop our campuses into dynamic, vibrant, student-focused hubs.

"Our Eastbourne campus has been an important part of the university's history and heritage, but it has become increasingly clear that to successfully deliver our academic vision for sport and health sciences and meet our commitments on accessibility and sustainability, our university's future is in Brighton."

Under the plans, the School of Sport and Health Sciences will be relocated to the university's Falmer campus, supported by the "repurposing" of the Virgin Active gym at the heart of the campus.

Virgin gym-goers were told via email yesterday that the Falmer branch would be closing from November 21.

The email read: "The site will revert to the University of Brighton for its own use and, therefore, it is no longer possible for us to keep the club open.

"During the period leading up to the closure of Virgin Active Brighton, it will be business as usual with opening hours, group exercise classes and other activities remaining the same."

The closure of the gym will result in 80 job losses.

Prof Humphris defended the decision and said: "The opportunity presented by the reacquisition of the Virgin Active site at the heart of our Falmer campus means we can invest in creating an outstanding home for our School of Sport and Health Sciences alongside Brighton and Sussex Medical School and our school of education.

"In a post-pandemic world, the opportunities for collaboration and partnership in these areas has never been more important."

The proposals come as the university undergoes a £300 million makeover of its Moulsecoomb campus, with new academic and office buildings and hundreds of student flats across five new towers.

A consultation on the plans has opened and is set to last until December 10.

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.