The credit card company has said that it was consulting staff over plans to redeploy the “non-customer facing” roles to India or Argentina.

A spokesman said the firm remained “fully committed” to the city.

The company is Brighton’s largest private sector employer with around 2,900 staff and any decision on the latest reshuffling of jobs will be made in June.

In a statement, the firm said: “American Express is currently consulting with employees on a proposal to migrate certain non-customer facing activities presently undertaken by particular teams within the company’s operations centre in Brighton.

“As a global company, we are always seeking ways to make our business more flexible and efficient to help better serve our customers.

“This approach sometimes involves moving some functions from one operations centre to another.

“No final decisions have been made in relation to the proposal which could potentially impact approximately 190 permanent roles.”

It continued: “Brighton continues to be an important part of our global network and we remain committed to the city. Indeed, we are currently building a new European operations centre in the city and we recently completed the transfer of more than 150 jobs from Madrid to Brighton.

“Over the coming weeks we will continue to provide ongoing support and counsel to those employees who are impacted by this proposal”.

picture: Alex Liivet 

The man, who was uninjured, was robbed by the cashpoint outside the Nat West Bank at about 12.15am on Saturday morning (February 18).

The suspects, a man and two women, were then chased as they ran towards Churchill Square and tried to get in a taxi on Western Road.

The man is described as white, 5′ 3″, aged around 22 and wearing black adidas tracksuit bottoms and a black and grey winter bomber-style jacket.

One of the women was 5′ 3″, about 17, with long blonde hair and dressed all in black. The other was around 6′ with dark brown hair and wearing white jeans or leggings with a black pattern, a burgundy hooded top with a khaki green jacket over it.

Police have linked the incident with a robbery a short while earlier between 11pm and 12 midnight in Ship Street when a woman approached another man and demanded his mobile phone before striking him with a lump of wood, causing cuts and bruises. He was also robbed of cash.

The suspect was in the company of two other people and described as white, aged around 30 and with blonde hair.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents, including any taxi drivers who may recognise the descriptions or circumstances, is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 33 of 18/02.

After starting duties in Preston Park, Poyet will be at the finish line to welcome the elites as they complete the 2012 Brighton Marathon, before handing out the prizes at the awards ceremony.

Race Director Tim Hutchings said: “Having Gus as Official Starter for our third race in the same season when the local football club has taken giant strides forward, is a real privilege and fitting too as we like to think that our race has enhanced the profile of Brighton and Hove as a city of sporting excellence.

“On top of this, the number of runners he’ll send on their way in Preston Park this year will far outnumber those of our first two races.

“It’s also appropriate that in 2012, his achievements as a player – which were in their own way quite Olympian – have recently been given more exposure and that experience, combined with his inspiration, are clearly taking the club to a completely new level.

“Every Albion fan – and by extension every city resident – now enjoys a real sense of pride and anticipation. I’m convinced the club will be a Premiership outfit in the not too distant future and Marathon runners identify with this same application and determination that he’s shown. I’m sure they’ll love seeing him at the start, at the finish and handing out the prizes.”

The Uruguayan star has enjoyed a glittering career in English football, first as a player, then as manager of local team, Brighton and Hove Albion.

After playing for Zaragoza in the Spanish league for seven years, Poyet moved to Chelsea, where he won the FA Cup, Cup Winners Cup and Super-Cup against Spanish aristocrats, Real Madrid.

He finished his playing career at Tottenham Hotspur, but returned there as Assistant Manager in 2007 to help guide them to their League Cup win over Chelsea in 2008.

His name has recently been linked once again with the London club with current manager Harry Redknapp in line for the England job.

Poyet took over Brighton and Hove Albion in 2009, enjoying immediate success by taking them to the League One title.

The club recently enjoyed a fine Cup run to reach the last 16 before going out to Premiership giants Liverpool last weekend.

The Brighton Marathon 2012 takes place on Sunday 15 April 2012. For more information, visit the Brighton Marathon website.

Photo: An avid Brighton and Hove Albion supporter running the Brighton Marathon 2011

The 20-year-old defender Dunk has been shortlisted for the npower Football League Young Player of the Year Award and Poyet has been nominated for the Football Manager Outstanding Managerial Achievement Award.

Dunk has become a predominant force in the Seagulls’ defence this season and has even received a call up to the England under-21s squad. He faces competition for the award from Matt Phillips of Blackpool and Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Place.

Poyet also faces stiff competition for his award. The other nominations are Dougie Freedman of Crystal Palace and former Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark.

If Poyet were to win the award it would be the recognition that he deserves after taking Brighton from a mid table League One side to a Championship side who are pushing for the playoffs.

This year’s Football League Awards sees a total of 17 awards with the winners being announced at the gala ceremony at The Brewery, London on Sunday 11th March 2012.

Source: seagulls.co.uk.

Detectives are also investigation another allegation of sexual assault on the Sussex University campus, in the early hours of Wednesday 15 February.

A 20-year-old woman has said she was sexually assaulted by a man yesterday morning (21 February 2012) as she was walking on the university campus in the early hours.

At 5.15am on Wednesday 15 February, a woman in her late teens reported being assaulted whilst walking through the campus. The victim said the man also threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her. She suffered from bruises and scratches as a result of the incident.

Detective Inspector Ian Still of Brighton and Hove CID said: “Sussex Police has been working closely with Sussex University to establish the circumstances surrounding these two reported assaults.

“Following the reported sexual assault last week warnings and advice were issued to all students who live in the vicinity and published on the university website and staff at the university about how to keep safe while walking alone at night and services offered to students to assist them in getting home safely.

“I would encourage anyone who is walking alone on the campus at night to be vigilant and aware and use the services offered by the university if you are worried.

“Although there are similarities with the both incidents at this stage we do not believe they are linked. The investigation into the reported sexual assault in the early hours of this morning is in its early stages and the circumstances are still being established.”

Police are appealing for anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the two incidents to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting serial 96 of 21/2 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Alternative audio favourites & jump up punk funk killer cuts. Expect post-punk and no-wave killer cuts, off-kilter grooves, lo-fi garage thump + John Peel/DIY/indie selections past & present…

More info: http://bitterdisko.tk

Free entry / 9pm – 2am.

Venue: Northern Lights, 6 Little East Street, Brighton. BN1 1HT

Start Date: 2012-03-09

Price: FREE

Signed to Love Thy Neighbour, a Brighton based label that was established for the purpose of releasing her debut EP ‘Of Blood and Air’, Abi Wade’s haunting lyricism and ethereal music will be presented in the TOM bar.

Using only her cello, her voice, and a stomp box, Abi creates songs of longing, forgiveness and hope which are sure to set your backbone tingling. For fans of Joanna Newsom, Arthur Russell, and Kate Bush.

Find out more at The Old Market website.

Venue: TOM – The Old Market

Start Date: 2012-03-22

End Date: 2012-03-22

Price: Free

POSTED BY TOMVENUE

The Old Market presents Where I’m Calling From, a contemporary poetry night that brings innovative, new poetry to TOM’s Bar. As well as readings from upcoming and established contemporary poets, there will be the opportunity for Open Mic at the end of the night, just make sure you sign up when you arrive! We’ll also have DJs late into the night.

Reading this March:

Joe Luna lives and studies in Brighton. He has had his poetry published in Sous Les Pavés, The Claudius App., FRIENDS, Fomas & Fontanelles, Holly White and Better Than Langugage: An Anthology of New Modernist Poetries. He also publishes literary magazine ‘hi Zero’ as well as running the hi Zero poetry readings in Brighton.

Laurens Verdonkschot lives and breathes in Brighton. He has written on treasure turtles for Thought Catalog, and he also runs ‘Any parsan halp me’, a contemporary post-modem poetry night in Brighton.

More to be confirmed.

Venue: TOM – The Old Market

Start Date: 2012-03-15

End Date: 2012-03-15

Price: Free

POSTED BY TOMVENUE

They say laughter is the best medicine, after prozac. We at Laughtermarket recommend 40mg new comedians with a supplement of 20mg award-winning headline acts, administered once monthly at The Old Market by a registered MC. Side-effects may include chuckling, chortling, wheezing, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, coma or death.

Confirmed March acts:
Katherine Ryan
Darren Maskell
Roz Ryan
Andrew Theodorou
(& Mystery Guests)
Sami Stone as MC

Venue: TOM – The Old Market

Start Date: 2012-03-08

End Date: 2012-03-08

Price: £1.50

POSTED BY TOMVENUE

Improvised string sessions of Americana, Folk and Jazz.

New banjo for Christmas? Mandolin in a cracker? Guitar in the corner gathering dust? Then grasp the frets and head to TOM on Friday 16 March for a foot stamping pick. We’ll be hosting an evening session of American and English folk and country, bluegrass and old time, jazz and ragtime for all to join in with. Turn up, sit down and tune in with fellow musicians in our cozy candlelit bar. Brimming with wine, ale and mulled wine this free evening will give you the opportunity to share music in a friendly environment and, playing or listening, will be a feast for the senses.

Venue: TOM – The Old Market

Start Date: 2012-03-16

End Date: 2012-03-16

Price: Free