A new art gallery and youth hostel has officially opened in Berwick-upon-Tweed, following the completion of a £5m refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Dewar's Lane Granary.

In addition to the exhibition space and 55-bed hostel, the six-storey property also includes a modern bistro; meeting and conference rooms; and an outdoor courtyard seating area. The Berwick Preservation Trust (BPT) led the restoration programme, with One North East and the government's now-defunct Sea Change programme providing funding.

The Heritage Lottery Fund; the former Berwick Borough Council; Northumberland County Council and the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) were also among the funding partners. Bain Swan Architects designed the new-look property, with D I Burchell; Wren and Bell; Allan Cumming; Richard Amos; CDM; and Northern Structures all working on the scheme.

BPT chair Jamie Andrew said: "We have successfully brought a formerly derelict space into the modern age, whilst honouring its cultural heritage." The Granary Gallery will manage the new facility, while the YHA will operate the hostel and bistro.

Image: Jamie Andrew (left) with the Duchess of Northumberland and Sacha Cunningham (front) recreating LS Lowry's 'Matchstick Man'