A reception to show support for a multi-million pound national centre dedicated to the artist Thomas Gainsborough is to be hosted by Sudbury Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

East Anglian Daily Times: Thomas Gainsborough's house plans - inside gallery CGI by ZMMAThomas Gainsborough's house plans - inside gallery CGI by ZMMA (Image: Archant)

Work on the transformation of Gainsborough’s House – the birthplace and childhood home of the famous artist – is set to start in November after more than £8million was raised through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and private donations.

Further fundraising is needed to secure the future of the project and businesses and tickets for the reception will go towards the development and include a year’s Friends of Gainsborough’s House membership.

The transformation will include feature four new galleries – a Gainsborough gallery, a landscape studio and learning zone with panoramic views over Sudbury, a community gallery and a major exhibition gallery.

Terry Waite will be the guest of honour at the reception, which includes refreshments provided by sponsors Waitrose and Lavenham Brook, a tour of the house and a walkthrough of plans for the upcoming development.

East Anglian Daily Times: An artist's impression of how the Landscape Studio in the new Gainsborough's House extension will look. The image was one that helped to get architects ZMMA the contract to design the £8.5million project.An artist's impression of how the Landscape Studio in the new Gainsborough's House extension will look. The image was one that helped to get architects ZMMA the contract to design the £8.5million project. (Image: Archant)

The reception will take place on Thursday, September 20, at Gainsborough’s House.

For more information on business events and networking in the Sudbury and district area, visit www.sudbury.org.uk