Homeless hostel to run gallery

One of London's oldest homeless hostels is to have an in-house art gallery and a coffee shop run by residents.

Arlington House in Camden, which once provided shelter for Irish writer Brendan Behan, gives bed and board to some of the most troubled homeless men in London, many with drug and alcohol addictions.

Plans for the 104-year-old hostel's future, outlined today, involve cutting the number of rooms from 400 to fewer than 100. The extra space will be used for private flats to be rented out and a gallery, café and book shop, which will be run by residents and open to the public.

Camden council chiefs believe residents will be more able to cope with life outside the hostel after running a business. The report into the plan said: "The aim is for residents to regain their independence."

The multi-million-pound proposal is expected to be given planning permission by the council at a meeting today.