A project to provide studio space for artists and designers in Brighton has taken off after 18 months of planning.

Design4Nation has opened up with space for 40 small businesses in a former gym that has been given a £100,000 facelift.

Fashion and furniture designer Sarah Mitchenall is behind the enterprise.

She said: "I knew there was a demand for a place like this after I tried to find a space to show and sell my own work in Brighton.

"There was nowhere to go apart from galleries that wanted to take a large commission on sales."

Sarah found herself without anywhere to sell when her previous sales area in Brighton's trendy Kensington Gardens closed down and became a cafe.

"I knew what I wanted and thought other people must be in the same position.

"I gave out fliers about the idea of having a place like Design4Nation and I was amazed at the response.

"I got more than 100 replies in a week from artists, illustrators and designers so I knew it was going to be viable.

"The premises is just off Duke Street. The building used to be a gym and had been empty for nine years so it was in a dilapidated state.

"A lot of planning has gone into getting the place ready and all but two of the stalls have been let to some new and established designers and artists."

Sarah said she wanted the three-storey premises to become an arts and design resource for the city.

"We want to fill every inch of wall-space and floor-space with artworks and information about the local scene. There is a cafe on the first floor and we want it to become a meeting place for artists and designers as well a display and sales area.

"The idea was a long time coming to a reality but in the last ten weeks it has been taking shape. I've been working with architects, builders and decorators turning the plan into reality."

The venue was given a high-profile launch with a fashion show featuring the work of resident designers and artists, including Deborah Ewing of Pink Minx, attended by more than 200 people.

www.design4nation.com