Brentford Arts Works

Shifting landscapes 

Have you ever missed something that’s almost always been there but is suddenly not?   Have you felt that your environment is moving around you through changes in significant local landmarks?   For some people in Brentford and the neighbouring areas, this has happened recently.    

Change 

There’s a lot of change taking place in Brentford, we see it happening brick by brick with parts of the high street now almost unrecognisable from a few years ago.   Change is inevitable and it can be positive and exciting, but changes that come in a sudden and unexpected way can be difficult to accept or understand. 

Our Arts Centre  

The closure of the Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford is an example of this.  At the beginning of 2024, the art centre was still open and operating.    Then suddenly, the Hounslow Arts Trust, who was responsible for running the centre, announced that Brentford and indeed the whole borough of Hounslow, would no longer have access to a local community arts centre.    Just 22 days later on 11 April 2024, the Watermans Arts Centre on the riverside site, closed its doors for what was planned to be the last time.     Hounslow Arts Trust are offering open air events but what about all of those exciting possibilities and opportunities at the arts centre?   What happened to the commitment that the arts centre would not close until a new building was in place? 

Community reaction 

Well…….a lot of people felt very strongly about that!!   Following a number of public meetings and 1500 people signing a petition, Save Our Watermans and then Brentford Arts Works was born!!     Brentford Arts Works wanted to respond to this change in a positive and creative way.  We have been disheartened by the fire at the centre and the occupation of the building by squatters BUT we have not given up!! 

Action!! 

Brentford Arts Works has been working hard, behind the scenes, to campaign for the continued presence of an arts centre in the borough of Hounslow.   Amongst our activities have been further efforts to hear from you the great London Borough of Hounslow residents!!     

We want to learn as much as possible about what people think and would want from an arts centre.   We have been busy speaking to people in Brentford High Street and at events such as the recent Canal Festival in Brentford – you may have spotted us there out and about with our questionnaires in hand! 

What have your told us so far? 

Most people were happy to stop and chat with us about a community arts centre in Brentford and here are some of the things that you told us: 

• You would like to see the Arts Centre in Brentford re-open.   Most of you felt that it was a great place and spoke about your memories of visiting Watermans. 
  
• You liked the cinema, bar and being able to eat at the arts centre. 
  
• AND….You had lots of great ideas about other events that you’d like to see at a community arts centre, for example classes for adults and children, workshops and spaces to learn a new skill or an instrument, fitness classes, mother and baby groups and even musical bingo!! 
  

But we want to know more!! 

Throughout the summer you will continue to see representatives from Brentford Arts Works out and about at events in different parts of the borough.  We’re as keen as ever to find out what you think and what you would like to see at a community arts centre.      

Come and have a chat about the arts in Brentford! 

If you see us out and about why not stop to have a chat and share your views?    If you feel inspired by the idea of resurrecting an art centre in Brentford, for all of Hounslow and the surrounding areas why not join us?   You can also tell us what you think here and now by completing our on-line survey!!