A DESIGN workshop catering for artisan craftsmen and women is about to unveil a major expansion on its third anniversary.

Blackhorse Workshop, in Walthamstow, said it is “proud” to be launching a major new expansion plans.

Marking its third anniversary on Friday (March 24), the workshop will open a new café building, ground floor studios, education centre, materials library and outdoor working area.

Having been successful applicants of the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund in 2014, the workshop also received match funding from the Waltham Forest Council.

This helped them build upon the initial pilot to create a public open access workshop, designed and built by Turner Prize winning collective Assemble.

The workshop is home to over 20 new start-ups, supporting trades such as furniture-making where the high cost of machinery make setting up independent workshops extremely difficult.

A new covered outdoor area will provide the assembly of larger scale work, from set design to boat building, and provide additional storage areas for projects.

A new dedicated education space is hoping to attract teenagers and young people to the workshop.

This programme will focus on building confidence and skills, interest in materials and opening up the wider network of career possibilities in the creative sector.

Creative Director Harriet Warden said The High Street Fund has truly been a catalyst for change.

She added: “It has been amazing to see the transformation of the initial project and the impact this support has made to everyone who uses the space.

“It’s made a visible difference to people’s outlook, career development and the regeneration of the Blackhorse Road area.“

The newly appoint council leader, cllr Clare Coghill added: “Blackhorse Workshop has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2014, and is a fantastic example of how Waltham Forest is fast becoming the creative choice for London.”