AN arts charity's building opening in 2020 will boast three state-of-the-art studios and rentable shared workspace for creative industry professionals.

South East Dance hosted a “topping out” ceremony to mark the final building phase of The Dance Space.

It was attended by Brighton and Hove MPs Lloyd Russell-Moyle and Peter Kyle.

The Dance Space will offer a wide range of classes, projects led by local people and performances from its three state-of-the-art studios and performance space.

There will also be one floor of rentable shared workspace for creative industry professionals as well as a permanent home for South East Dance.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, whose constituency is home to The Dance Space, said: “It’s a real privilege to represent a community so renowned for its arts and performance.

“This new dance hub is only going to enhance that reputation and not just benefit Brighton and Hove but the whole of the south east.

“This project hasn’t just happened though, it is down to the hard work of so many who are now having their vision realised and for that I would like to congratulate them warmly.”

The building will offer opportunities for dance artists to progress their careers and create, rehearse and present their work in the city.

The Dance Space will offer bursaries for emerging artists and young people at the start of their dance career.

It will allow the region to retain its dance sector talent and reap the benefits of the knock-on impact on the city’s economy.

Cath James, artistic director of South East Dance, said: “This is a momentous and symbolic moment and the result of more than a decade of hard work in the passionate belief that Brighton and Hove needs a place to dance.

“We want to thank everyone who has supported us to get here and can’t wait to welcome the whole city into the building when we open in 2020.”

The site will be opening in Circus Street in the centre of Brighton.