It all started more than 15 years ago when well-respected architect Hilary Halpern retired and wanted to rekindle his hobby of sculpture.

The only problem was that while Mr Halpern now had time on his hands, he could not find a studio.

He chose to invest money into creating an artistic hub in Chatham and that was when Nucleus Arts was born.

When he passed away five years ago, his daughter Dalia Halpern-Matthews took over and Nucleus went from strength to strength with centres in Chatham, Maidstone and Rochester opening up.

For business reasons, the gallery in Rochester High Street closed last year and it has always been Dalia’s ambition to return to the town where she grew up.

Her chance came when The Conservancy Building in the High Street came up for auction.

The imposing Grade II listed building, which has served as an annexe to the Guildhall Museum, was snapped up for £590,000.

She said: “There I was with my card in my sweaty hand. It went right up to the ceiling, another £10,000 and I would have been out of the bidding.”

When Dalia learned the property was going under the hammer she went for a viewing with colleagues.

She said: “We have been looking at other buildings and in all probability thought this would not be suitable because of the listed building restrictions. But we knew immediately this was the one. I went back to my office in Chatham and by 8pm had drawn up a business plan for the trustees and sent it out the same evening.”

Dalia, 48, picks up the keys at the end of the month and then the builders and decorators will come in to bring the run down, gloomy property “back to life”.

There are plans for at least 10 studios, a gallery and a cafe.

She said: “This is Nucleus, so we have a few surprises up our sleeves.”

She estimates it will take about £170,000 to renovate and, hopefully, doors will be open to the public in February.

She said: “It’s important we do it properly. We shall be retaining the lovely original features and bring more light into the whole place.”

Dalia added: “Dad would have been utterly thrilled. It would have been exactly what he would have wanted.”

Its other centres in Chatham, the cafe in the High Street and the hub in Military Road will remain open as normal.