The final phase of the new community art and education centre at Orleans House Gallery near Richmond in London is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007.

The North Stables are now set to be converted into a café, along with a heritage display and artist-in-residence facilities. The Stables Gallery will be upgraded with new lighting and heating, so that it can be opened to the public all year round.

Visitors will also benefit from landscaping work in the gallery grounds and improved access to the main gallery and Grade I listed Octagon Room.

A new education centre at the renovated Coach House was opened to the public in May. It features after-school clubs, workshops for schools, courses and projects for young people, as well as adult and family programmes.

The renovation project is the result of a winning bid by the council’s arts service to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 2004, which released £1m for the revamp. This sum was supplemented by council and private funding to provide an overall budget of £1.1m for the scheme.

Sue Bowers, HLF manager in London, said: “Orleans House Gallery has a great reputation for its education and community outreach work. This latest award will really consolidate everything that has been achieved over the last three years to create a first-class facility benefiting the whole community.” Details: www.richmond.gov.uk