An iconic building in Erith is set to reopen as a £1.6m renovation project has been agreed between the council and a local company, The Exchange Ltd.

The Carnegie Building, in Walnut Tree Road, will become a centre for ‘innovation, creativity, learning and production’ once The Exchange Ltd become new occupiers of the landmark.

The local company will take on the building under a lease and partnership agreement with the London Borough of Bexley.

Councillor Linda Bailey, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Growth, said: “We are very pleased to have found three experienced local entrepreneurs who have established The Exchange Ltd to work with us to prepare the building for the next exciting phase in its history.

“We have agreed to co-finance the refurbishment of the building together with the Mayor of London and the new operator, and we believe it will be a powerful demonstration of the ways in which regeneration can benefit the town and its people.”

The Exchange Ltd plans to offer cultural, artistic and designer studios and workshop space for creative businesses to make and sell products.

Deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The redevelopment of the historic Carnegie Building will give it a new lease of life as a community arts hub and events space.

“This milestone is part of wider plans to deliver much-needed new homes, jobs and public space thanks to funding from the Mayor of London and the London Enterprise Action Partnership, in partnership with the London Borough of Bexley.”

It is hoped some programmes will begin during the refurbishment which could be as early as Autumn.

The Carnegie is a Grade II listed building. Council officers will work closely with The Exchange Ltd and Historic England to ensure that the refurbishment work is carried out in a way that is sympathetic to the character of the building.

The London Borough of Bexley has plans to develop Erith through a programme of regeneration. The council has secured funding of £926,000 from the Mayor’s London Regeneration Fund for the project which is part of the £1.96m won for the Erith Town Centre Regeneration Programme.