A £2.1-million development project to radically revamp the Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester has kicked off with a fund-raising launch.

The centre needs to raise £700,000 of match-funding, which will be added to a £1.4 million lottery grant earmarked for the project by the Arts Council.

The funds will be used to refurbish the buildings, improve access and add more facilities. Sue Herdman, Brewery Arts' chairman, said: "The design centre and shop will be relocated to the ground floor, new stairs and a lift will be installed, and the rear courtyard will have attractive gates at either end and a glass domed roof, which will be an exciting addition with its own bar and sculpture court."

Brewery Arts was established in 1979 when the old brewery building was converted into art workshops.

Five years later the adjacent barrel store was also converted to form educational studios set around a small theatre.

In 1990, two separate organisations merged to form what is now called known as the Brewery Arts and it is now visited by 150,000 people a year.

Initial planning for the development project began in 1996 when a feasibility and development study was undertaken and detailed drawings drawn up by architects.

Staff hope refurbishment can start early next year when the centre celebrates its silver jubilee.