A new theatre for West London aimed at attracting some of the best shows in the UK has moved a step closer to opening.
After a decade in planning and a ‘perfect storm of crises’ Hounslow Council has announced its intention to source an operator for the new Hounslow Arts Centre via an open tender process. Plans to build the new Brentford theatre alongside around 100 homes were previously approved and now the search is on for an operator to run it.
It had been believed by many in the local community that Hounslow Arts Trust, which ran the Waterman Arts Centre on the same site that closed down due to financial difficulties, would take over.
The procurement process will follow a ‘phased approach’ to ‘shape viable delivery models’ for the state-of-the-art centre. This will involve analysing local needs to inform potential business models, conducting market testing to assess operator interest, before launching the formal procurement process.
The council is seeking an operator that can attract national class acts to the theatre, which will feature at the site. Additionally, Hounslow Arts Trust may still apply for the contract to operate the arts centre.
Watermans closed on 11 April, 2024 after Hounslow Arts Trust announced that it was no longer financially viable to keep it open, which sparked residents to call on the council to help. The centre has remained closed, however the news of a new arts centre will have been a relief to many residents.
It is understood that initially, the focus of the arts centre was to build a new cinema. However, with the new Everyman cinema which has opened nearby, a new theatre is now the priority.
Work is expected to begin between the spring and summer of 2025. At this stage it is unclear when the centre and homes will open to the public, however the hope is the construction will be swift.
The council has also reached a provisional agreement with a housing provider for the 100 homes which will also be built on the same site. It is unclear at this stage which company this will be.
Peabody had been expected to provide the housing, however the association pulled out of the plans. There is an expectation that a majority of the homes built under this regeneration scheme will be social housing.
Cllr Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, said: “What must be recognised is that getting any regeneration or housing project off the ground in the current climate has been and is a mammoth task. Across the country, development, housing, and the arts sectors are facing unprecedented pressures.
“That Hounslow is still making real progress speaks to our commitment, the strength of our partnerships, and the boldness of our vision. There is still work to do, and challenges remain — but this is a long-term investment in Brentford’s future.”
Cllr Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, added: “I want that to be a world-class arts and culture centre. One that serves our residents, and also brings people in from far and wide, from across London and beyond to see the very best acts.
“That is why we are launching an open process to find the right operator – one that shares our aims, will deliver a broad and ambitious programme, and demonstrates it can be financially sustainable.”
