News / BIMM Bristol
Outrage as music college restructuring leads to job losses
Staff and students of the BIMM Institute have spoken out about a restructure at the music education provider which has led to job losses.
Dozens of staff across the country are believed to have been made redundant as a result of the changes, including at BIMM Bristol which has colleges on King Square and Moon Street near Stokes Croft.
Students in the city have formed an action group to fight what is happening, while a petition by BIMM students in Brighton has received more than 1,200 signatures since being started on Tuesday.
is needed now More than ever
But BIMM says the changes are required and that it is doing all it can to ensure they are implemented as carefully as possible.
Staff and students at BIMM Bristol have hit out at a restructuring which is leading to redundancies – photo: Charlie Watts
One member of staff who works at BIMM Bristol and is affected by the restructure, but wishes to remain anonymous, says they have chosen redundancy over a “demotion”.
They told Bristol24/7: “Last month, I was suddenly told that my role was at risk of redundancy, with them telling me I was only eligible to apply for a demoted role as they didn’t think I was experienced enough (I am and then some) – so I had the choice of demotion or redundancy.
“I have chosen redundancy as I feel very let down after all my years of service and putting my heart and soul into the place.
“Some colleagues have been let go with no redundancy (due to zero hour contracts), and others who used to work in a team together have been told they all have to go for the same one job.”
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The restructure is affecting staff at all seven of BIMM’s colleges across the UK. Founded in Brighton in 2001, it opened its first site outside of the city, in Bristol, in 2008.
The music institute, which offers further and higher education courses, was granted full university status in 2022. Its Bristol alumni include singer George Ezra and members of the band IDLES.
In a letter to students, staff at BIMM’s Brighton campus say the restructure is “one big cost-cutting exercise to generate more profit for the owners.”
They wrote: “BIMM has already made dozens of staff redundant without notice and is currently forcing staff to compete against each other for remaining roles.
“We are being manipulated and bullied into an impossible situation; compete against our friends and colleagues for underpaid, overworked jobs, or lose our existing jobs that we love so much.
“Without urgent and drastic action, this could signal the beginning of the end of BIMM and will lead to a huge number of brilliant and inspirational staff leaving for other jobs so that they will be happy and financially settled.”
The music college, which has been based in the city since 2008, opened a second site on Moon Street in 2022 – photo: Charlie Watts
In response to the controversy, a BIMM spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “As our institution continues to grow, and having obtained University title last year, changes in the way that we work are required to provide a better student and lecturer experience and ensure greater coordination across campuses, faculties, and courses.
“We have been consulting closely with staff members over the past three months, providing them with the opportunity to ask questions, comment on and make recommendations about any aspect of these changes. Crucially, there will be no reduction in teaching staff resulting from these changes.
“We care about our staff, lecturers and students deeply and we are doing everything we can to ensure any changes are implemented as carefully as possible, for all involved.”
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read next:
- BIMM Institute opens new building in the heart of Stokes Croft
- ‘It’s not your standard university’ – Inside the Bristol institute run by music professionals
- St Nick’s Market announce summer of busking
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