A FORMER language school in Winchester is on the property market after it closed down last year.

Winchester School of English closed in March 2020 at the start of the first lockdown and didn’t reopen.

On the school’s Instagram page, it posted: “In line with government guidelines, our school in Winchester is closed from Friday March 20 until further notice.” It didn’t reopen after this.

Started by three local teachers in 1989, the school had been offering adult students from around the world the opportunity to learn English and experience the British way of life.

The Victorian school building on Hyde Street is currently for sale from Winkworth Estate Agents for £1.1 million as a learning and non-residential occupancy class.

The building has three large classrooms on the ground floor with four more on the first floor as well as a large fitted kitchen, two cellar rooms and a garden.

City Cllr Dominic Hiscock, who lives near to the old school building, said: “It was all very sudden. It closed when everything closed for lockdown and didn’t re-open. First thing we knew about it going was when the for sale notice went up. It’s a shame.

“It was a busy school, never any trouble and added a bit of colour to the area. We will miss it.”

ATC Language Schools, Winchester School of English’s parent company, have been contacted for a comment.