The owner of a successful Croydon art gallery has revealed plans to offer emerging artists the cheapest studio space in London - the latest step in his mission to improve Croydon's cultural scene.

Kevin Zuchowksi-Morrison, who runs Rise Galley, said the 22 “high spec" studios, set to open this summer in the town centre, would strengthen “the impact of art in Croydon” by providing affordable space for creatives.

The art dealer, one of the key players in the transformation of St George’s Walk into an "arts quarter", was not yet prepared to reveal the location of the planned studios.

But he promised spaces would be the cheapest in London - at a time when as rising rents across the capital are pushing artists out of the inner-city.

RELATED: 'I ignored my accountant': award-winning Croydon gallery owner reveals risky beginnings

He said: “We don’t know the exact amount yet, but I can guarantee it will be lower than any other privately run studio space in London. It’s not a big profit-making thing for us.

“If you’re building an arts quarter, it’s important you have that grass roots level as well, places where artists can work. It’s always been one of our aspirations for the borough.”

Support packages will be provided for students for emerging artists to rent space at the studios, with priority given to students from local institutions such as the Brit School and Croydon School of Art.

But Mr Zuchowksi-Morrison, who has been lauded for bringing high-profile exhibitions by the likes of Banksy to the borough, also said there were “a couple of really famous artists who already want to take studios”.

The announcement of new studio space in Croydon comes in a week of new developments in the borough’s cultural offering.

RELATED: Add a Banksy or a Damien Hirst artwork to your shopping list when gallery opens for business

Last week it emerged that the assistant chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, Paula Murray, would be joining Croydon Council for a six month, £39,000 stint as the borough’s “creative director”.

And on March 1 a planning application for a new theatre and performance space in St George’s Walk was submitted by the organisers of talent show Croydon With Talent.

Mr Zuchowksi-Morrison said the borough was starting to receive recognition for its improved cultural offering.

He pointed to the Royal Society of Art’s decision to host an event at Rise Gallery.

Mr Zuchowksi-Morrison will be the keynote speaker at the Changing The Face Of Croydon on April 14.

He said: “When the groups and societies at that level start to notice what’s happening in the area, it really validates what’s happening.”

Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6388 or email daniel.omahony@newsquest.co.uk