A COMMUNITY art space will finally open on an old mill site following a £300,000 refurbishment.

Bosses at art company, In Situ, have announced the opening of its new art space on part of the former cotton mill site at Northlight, in Brierfield.

The Garage, as it is named, will open next month and will feature an art library, exhibition space and a community garden.

There will also be an events space, which will include a pop up cinema and accommodation for artists.

A total of £348,000 has been invested into the project from Arts Council England as part of their capital funding programme.

The art space is part of the £32million transformation of the Grade II listed mill.

Ambitious plans to redevelop the Victorian mill were approved by Pendle Council in December last year and when completed it is expected to include 52 new apartments and several eating and drinking businesses.

Bosses at In-Situ have said the new art space is an exciting new development, which will enable the company to continue its 'vital' role within the arts and cultural sector.

Paul Hartley, of In-Situ, said: “We are thrilled to be part of breathing new life into the Northlight development.

"It has been an amazing journey from temporarily using empty spaces to having a permanent home in Brierfield.

“The Garage will not only be a home for the In-Situ team, but a space offering creative possibilities for anyone.”

The new arts space will open its doors to the public from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, November 17.

It will start with a music procession from Brierfield Library at 11am followed by a pop up talk show and drumming workshop.

PEARL, a joint venture company of Pendle Council and developers Barnfield Construction, has also given support and offered a 'generous' lease to In Situ.

Cllr Paul White, leader of Pendle Council and a PEARL board member, said: “It’s fantastic to see our ambitious plans for a new living, working, learning, leisure and cultural destination for the North West coming to fruition.

“The historic mill offices are the new HQ for Lancashire Adult Learning."