MORE than a year after renovation work started, Salisbury Arts Centre is gearing up for its final stage of fundraising, before a grand relaunch.

A final £45,000 needs to be secured to enable the release of £172,800 from the Arts Council, before the centre reopens to the public in May.

Work began two years ago to restore and refurbish the historic Grade II listed church building in Bedwin Street and construct an additional building, to house an office suite and multi-purpose space.

More than £4m-worth of funding from major contributors, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council, Salisbury district council, the Founder Friends scheme and private donations, has enabled the venue to be brought up to 21st Century standards.

The restoration of masonry, repair work to the roof and the extension are all now complete.

Three new faces are also joining the team.

Polly Mason comes to Salisbury as centre manager and Jemima Astill as audience development and marketing manager.

Alison Herbert brings specialist fundraising skills to the capital restoration and refurbishment project, ensuring the arts centre meets its fundraising targets.

Salisbury Arts Centre director Jill Low said: "We've had to have a very small professional team while we have been out of the building.

"I am thrilled and delighted that we are now starting to develop a team with such appropriate skills and expertise, ready to relaunch the arts centre."

The modern, comfortable and stylish centre will be accessible to all members of the community.

In January 2004, the site was completely stripped of everything inside, to expose a blank canvas.

The inside has been completely redesigned, with improved facilities for performers, staff and audiences, along with toilets, dressing-rooms, a stage, a cafe, a bar and workshop space.