Brentford Arts Works

A recent fire at 40 High St, Brentford TW8 0DS, former home of the Watermans Arts Centre, thankfully extinguished without injury, has brought to the forefront the urgent need for the London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) to act decisively. The incident underscores the community’s fears following the abrupt closure of this cultural hub in Brentford—a closure that occurred with no public consultation, igniting considerable public outrage.

Steve Sargeant from the Watermans Community Works (WCW) working group emphasized the community’s resolve: “We believe this incident only highlights the need for LBH to take immediate action to secure the safe operation of this vital community asset. The closure of Watermans Arts Centre was a devastating blow to Brentford. The loss of the site without any chance for reanimation would be wholly unforgivable.” WCW is prepared to take a significant step by submitting a fully costed bid to manage the centre, signaling a proactive effort to reclaim and revitalize this important space.

Further intensifying the call for action, Ruby Almeida of WCW has pointed out the absence of clear guidance from the local council regarding the centre’s future. She stated, “The Council needs to make their plans for meanwhile-use clear as a matter of urgency if Brentford is to hold on to a critical community resource. Our ongoing conversations with the public, through our surveys, show that people are furious that the centre ever shut without consultation or warning.” The community is waiting for Cllr Tom Bruce to fulfill his recent promise of a forthcoming statement detailing the bid process, with Almeida adding, “I expect Cllr Bruce to not delay any further with a statement about their commitment to the Centre.”

The urgency conveyed by Sargeant and Almeida reflects a broader community sentiment that the Watermans Arts Centre is more than a building; it is a beacon of community and culture, whose loss is keenly felt. Their statements are a clarion call to those who value civic spaces and cultural heritage, urging immediate action to ensure the centre’s doors do not remain closed to the public it serves.

Join us as we rally behind WCW’s efforts to not just save, but also breathe new life into Watermans Arts Centre. Let’s ensure the council hears the community’s voice loud and clear: this centre deserves a future, and it deserves it now.