Call 999 for art: gallery is given an unusual space

The South London Gallery has been given a new building across the street from its existing venue in Camberwell. An anonymous benefactor donated a four-storey former fire station, which will be converted into a space for exhibitions and events. It will also enable the gallery to make its archives publicly accessible. The Heritage Lottery Fund has given £254,000 towards the planning of the fire station’s redevelopment and has promised a further £1.5m towards the restoration work once the gallery has raised £2m from other sources. It is hoped that the new building will open to the public in 2018.