The ELT provider said on July 4 that it was “saddened” to hear of the shock closure – particularly in regard to the students who would see their studies interrupted.

“As passionate advocates of language learning and teaching, in response to this news our foreign languages department is aiming to accommodate as many Cactus students as we can, and were a suitable option is available this summer, is working to to offer courses free of charge to those affected,” it said.

IH London’s outpost offers 17 courses in 17 different languages, with many starting in July and August, it said.

This was entirely outside of our control and we are very sad for everyone who has been impacted

Fay Drewry, Cactus Languages

Cactus’s chief commercial officer Fay Drewry wrote on LinkedIn: “Many thanks to IH London for making this generous offer. The team at Cactus were deeply shocked and we are all devastated, after 26 years of Cactus being in business and for me, 10 years working at Cactus for two different owners.”

“This was entirely outside of our control and we are very sad for everyone who has been impacted,” she continued.

Teachers and students who have been affected by the closure should get in touch with IH London by emailing languages@ihlondon.com.

Students should include details of which course they had booked with Cactus, what language level they are at and whether they can study at IH’s school in Holborn, London or online.