ONE of Brighton’s flagship art galleries is set for improvements after securing an Art Council grant of close to half a million pounds.

The cash will pay for a huge new window to replace Fabrica’s wooden doors along Duke Street as well as new offices, rooms and repairs to the building – which is a 19th century church.

Subject to planning permission, work will begin in November with a completion date of April 2016.

Laurence Hill, from the venue, said everyone involved was “delighted” with the £471,236 grant.

He said: “It is great news. The money will help us maintain the building, make it greener and more sustainable.

“It is a great investment and a big vote of confidence from the Arts Council in what we are doing. We are delighted.”

The cash is part of a £1.5 million hand-out from Arts Council England’s small capital fund.

Fabrica is the only venue in Sussex to receive money.

Gallery bosses have worked with Brighton architects CDMS to draw up plans, which are now with Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning department.

Planned improvements include new signage, new offices to double the current capacity, a reconfiguration of current office space including the fitting of secondary double glazing and internal repairs.

There will also be increased storage, new energy efficient gallery lighting and an extended utility room.

However, the most visual improvement will be the new window, which will replace the wooden double doors along Duke Street.

The improvement will allow passers-by to see what is on display in the gallery.

The work is timed to mark the gallery’s 20th anniversary in 2016.

Paul Bevan, chair of Fabrica trustees, said: “We’ve worked closely over the past two years with the council and the Diocese of Chichester to bring this exciting project to fruition.

“I’m delighted that the Arts Council of England is making this important investment.

“It marks the beginning of a new chapter for Fabrica as Brighton’s centre for contemporary visual art.”

Hedley Swain, from the Arts Council, added: “The gallery plays an important role in bringing high quality contemporary art to Brighton.

“Our investment will support Fabrica to modernise the space and increase its visibility to audiences, driving greater footfall and increasing its long-term resilience.”

Fabrica holds exhibitions all year round and is a regular venue for Brighton Festival.

This year’s Festival exhibition, called Dawn Chorus, opens on April 3.

Visit fabrica.org.uk