A fashion exhibition focused on the writers and artists of the Bloomsbury Group will be one of the first events at a new arts centre.

Catwalk styles from the likes of Fendi, Dior and Burberry will feature alongside never-before-seen Bloomsbury portraits and personal items such as Virginia Woolf's handbag.

Charleston, which provides a year-round programme of events and festivals, has collaborated with Lewes District Council on the new space for exhibitions.

It is moving into the old council offices in Southover Road, Lewes, which will be converted into an arts centre in a bid to transform the town's “cultural life”.

It will open in September with what is the first major exhibition exploring the influence of the Bloomsbury group on fashion.

The space will also be used for free community projects and workshops for families, young people and community groups.

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Councillor Zoe Nicholson, leader of Lewes District Council, said: “I’m very excited that Charleston, a world-renowned cultural institution, will soon have a presence in the centre of Lewes.

“Extending the reach of Charleston to people who may not have visited their home in Firle is an ambition shared by many who will warmly welcome this move."

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The initial season of events will enable Charleston to continue consultation with the community to explore the long-term potential for developing a cultural centre in a town that has never had a major civic art museum.

Director of Charleston Nathaniel Hepburn said: “Since Charleston reopened after the pandemic, we have been working in partnership with the council and community groups in Lewes to develop a bold and ambitious vision which could transform the cultural life of Lewes.

“It is exciting to be able to announce plans to launch this space in time for a major cultural season happening across Sussex to coincide with the largest contemporary art prize in the world – Turner Prize – being hosted in Eastbourne. It’s a great moment to put Lewes on the map as an important part of the region’s cultural offer.”

Jolyon Brewis, a Lewes resident who has been a trustee of Charleston for six years and now chairs the Charleston Lewes project group, said: “Charleston is excited by this natural expansion of our work to improve access and grow audiences for the charity's festival and exhibition programme.”

Meanwhile the council is opening a new public reception area in the former Paperchase building in Cliffe High Street.

Cllr Nicholson said: “I’m also delighted that we will have a new reception area in the town centre where residents can have all their enquiries handled quickly and efficiently, in addition to the systems we now have in place online.”