A former steakhouse has been transformed into a gallery space for young artists to display their raw talent and most well done pieces.

Art and design students from Havering College of Further and Higher Education, in Essex, have adapted the empty Outback Steakhouse in The Brewery Shopping Centre, Romford, to house an exhibition examining the theme Sense of Place.

Students were encouraged to explore their feelings about Romford and to use things which used to be in the restaurant to create their work.

The Outback Art House will display work by the students as well as by local artists, and will be installed, curated and marketed by the students.

Grace Thomas, 18, from Chadwell Heath, said: “It was strange to think we were creating art in a former restaurant, but it made you think about how venues can make a difference to how people view your work.”

The project is run by the college and the Romford Contemporary Arts Programme, a Havering Council initiative to promote contemporary artists, and will run until Saturday, February 16.