FIRSTSITE’S cafe will close at the end of November after Essex University ended its contract to run it.

The Musa cafe had been due to close temporarily for a month in January, while the gallery shuts for refurbishment.

But the closure has been brought forward, after the university said it wanted to concentrate on Wivenhoe House Hotel and its campus catering facilities.

Firstsite bosses are looking for a company to run the cafe when the gallery reopens in February.

A spokesman said the termination of the university’s contract, from November 30, was mutually agreed.

Six staff working at Musa have been offered work at its Wivenhoe campus.

Bill Frame, Colchester councillor for Castle ward, said: "There is a question mark over the long-term viability because that was going to be one of the areas to bring money in.

“When it first opened, I organised a Christmas lunch and it all seemed fine, but it all seems to have down-hill since."

Last month we revealed Firstsite will partly close in December and shut completely in January for maintenance and refurbishment.

Matthew Rowe, director, is introducing a new business plan to make the gallery a long-term success.

Firstsite declined to say if Musa was making any money.

For more, see Tuesday's Gazette