PLANS to revive an arts and community centre in a listed building are back on track. The Studio, Beckenham Road, Beckenham, closed two years ago because the arts classes it offered were losing money.

In June, Bromley Council accepted music company Proper Music's proposal to operate the Grade II Listed building but this was withdrawn in November due to personal reasons.

Two previously shortlisted candidates submitted amended plans and the proposals from Herbert Justice Academy (HJA), a private theatre school, offering classes in dance, drama, music and singing, was accepted.

HJA dropped its plans for a full-time theatre school in the building and will use a third of the building for classes for its 400 students, including adults and children.

The rest of the building will be available for public hire and proposals include refurbishment of the theatre and auditorium for live performances and entertainment.

HJA will refurbish five studios and two community rooms, a gallery, an arts centre and a mobile recording studio.

There will also be a cafe/restaurant/bar, a shop and a creche facility.

HJA principal and director Alan Justice said: "We are absolutely delighted and very excited about the future. Our classes will expand and we are looking forward to providing a whole, wide, diverse range of facilities to the entire community.

"We are hoping the plans will create something very special for the borough and beyond."

Mr Justice says the refurbishment work will take three months to complete and The Studio will open by early autumn at the latest.