Closure of much-loved arts centre becomes battleground for Brentford West by-election

Hounslow Council is facing increasing pressure over the future of Watermans Art Centre as candidates in an upcoming by-election identify it as a key issue for voters. Watermans closed on April 11 after Hounslow Arts Trust announced that it was no longer financially viable to keep it open, sparking residents to call on the council to help.

On April 26, Cllr Tom Bruce, Labour Group Spokesperson for Regeneration and Development released an update on the arts centre confirming that it would remain closed for the time being. He wrote: "It is obviously still disappointing to many that the Hounslow Arts Trust were no longer able to keep the doors open on the Watermans Arts Centre.

"I know that over the years this has been a well-loved and well supported venue, and I share in this disappointment. However, it is now important that we look to the future, working with both the Trust on their continued arts and culture offer in the borough and with the community in Brentford on the current and a future use for an arts centre in the town."

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He added: "I am keen that we get the building re-opened as soon as possible. It is important to note that Hounslow Arts Trust currently hold the lease for the building and will do until September. Also, as the landlord, the Council will be required to conduct a structural survey to ensure the safety of the building and those who may occupy it."

At the end of his statement, he said that residents could expect to see activity around the site in the coming weeks. Cllr Bruce's update comes in the context of a May 2 by-election for the Brentford West ward after former councillor Lara Parizotto stepped down.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reached out to candidates planning to run for her vacated position with a number of them identifying Watermans Art Centre's closure as a key issue in the election. Labour candidate Emma Yates promised voters: "I will work hard with the local community and council to get the centre re-opened for temporary use as soon as possible, whilst we work towards delivering a new state of the art centre in Brentford West."

Plans for new arts centre on police station site

Hounslow Council’s Labour administration said it is committed to delivering a new arts centre on the police station site in Brentford and is working closely with the Hounslow Arts Trust, to achieve this adding that the centre "continues to be a top priority."

The closure has caused quite a stir amongst residents who seem desperate for Watermans to reopen as an art centre. As of reporting, 667 people have signed a petition on the council's website urging it to reallocate funds paid to it by property developers in Brentford. It reads: "We the undersigned petition the council to Stop the closure of the Watermans and support its continuing operations at 40 High Street, Brentford with some of the developer contributions gained from previous development in our town."

Ruby Almeida, from campaign group Save Our Watermans, told the LDRS, that the closure has changed the complexion of the upcoming election. She said: "From what I can see people are being swayed towards other candidates. All the councillors, from all the other parties have been in touch with us, have come for the public meeting that we had. No one came from Labour came.

"Maybe there was an equivalent of a three-line whip telling all labour councillors 'do not engage with them and do not speak about this. Let's not get distracted, let's focus on the election.' Well, that's maybe what they feel is the best way of operating but it doesn't send out the right message to the public who are concerned about the arts.

"So I think a lot of people are going to turn away from them. I'm not saying who people should vote for, but certainly, I know who I'm going to vote for. I have always, always, always voted for Labour but now I'm asking myself 'do I really want to do this?'" Ruby and others campaigning to save Watermans say that they should be offered the opportunity by the council to run the centre as a community project - ensuring that they provide events and exhibits that people in Brentford want to see.

Independent candidate Theo Dennison has been highly critical of the council, especially in its handling of Watersmas, saying: "I’ll continue to put pressure on the Council to deliver its promise to keep the Watermans in Brentford. The Watermans closure was symptomatic of the neglect of Brentford, the secrecy of the Council, and its ineptitude."

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