Watermans Art Centre has announced it will close its site on 11 April as part of the transition period ahead of its planned move to a new building.

Hounslow Arts Trust Ltd, the charity that operates Watermans, announced the decision this evening (20 March) with the plans providing a 'much-needed' upgrade for the operation and 'enjoyment of the mixed programme.' 

The charity has taken the difficult decision to close Watermans as the best possible way of protecting both the interests of Hounslow residents and the organisation's financial viability ahead of its relocation to the site of the old police station building in Brentford.

Watermans say that a 'challenging recovery period' following the pandemic, the impact of energy price rises and the on-going costs of maintenance for the current venue, has forced it to focus on the delivery of outdoor events at Bell Square, Creative People and Places Hounslow activities outside of the current building.

The art centre says each of the activities are fundamental to maintaining access to culture for residents and Hounslow Arts Trust will continue to work with its stakeholders to ensure that the CPP programme and outdoor events programme continues. 

Hounslow Arts Trust says it is extremely proud of the programmes that have been delivered with communities at Watermans for nearly 40 years and would like to thank its incredible team of current and past staff at Watermans who made the venue a 'welcoming community space' for people across the borough and beyond.

Keeping the current site open is financially unviable Watermans Art Centre has said (credit: Cesar Medina).

Director of Watermans, Jan Lennox says: "Watermans has been home to the very best cinema, theatre, music, dance and performance for nearly forty years and it is heart-breaking that the venue is closing before the new building is ready.

"However, we are working hard to continue to deliver our exciting programmes outside of the current building and to continue to plan for when the new building is ready.

"A new building that will be more sustainable operationally and able to present an even stronger mix of high-quality dance, theatre, music, film and exhibitions."

A Hounslow Council spokesperson said:"As a council we're committed to supporting a rich cultural offer for the borough, recognising the many benefits arts and culture provide for our diverse communities.

"Watermans plays an important role in delivering our ambitions for culture and we're pleased it will remain able to offer the community-based programmes residents really value.

"The cost-of-living crisis is putting enormous pressure on cultural venues across the country, and we support Hounslow Arts Trust taking the steps necessary to become sustainable."

In 2023, Bell Square events reached a multi-generational and wholly diverse audience of 34,757 residents and visitors.

During 2023-24, Creative People and Places Hounslow programmes engaged with 135,000 residents.