The Battersea Arts Centre has unveiled its new half-a-million-pound workspace.

The hope is that the 'scratch hub', as it has been called, will be a go-to space for people who want to test a small idea first before developing it even further.

David Jubb, artistic director and CEO of Battersea Arts Centre called it a "dream come true."

"To open Battersea Arts Centre’s doors to creative entrepreneurs with great ideas – many of whom are running exciting new ventures – many of whom are engaged in making positive change," he said.

"I think that bringing together small creative enterprises under the umbrella of an exciting cultural institution is the perfect way to grow great ideas – and I can’t wait to see, in years to come,

all the positive consequences which develop from this coming together.”

The scratch hub is inspired by a process called 'scratch' which the arts centre has been using since 2000 to test and develop ideas for theatre and performance.

Deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The scratch hub is a really good example of how to deliver affordable workspace and create a community for sharing skills.

"The mayor and I are committed to supporting London’s growing start-ups, social enterprises and local businesses – and we are both really pleased to support this innovative project.”