Hounslow Council Unveils First-ever Culture Strategy

Positioning for a bid to be London Borough of Culture

The Creative Mile is a key cultural event in the borough. Picture: Hounslow Council

December 23, 2025

Hounslow Council has launched its first-ever Culture Strategy, setting out a 10-year vision to embed arts, heritage and creativity at the heart of borough life and positioning Hounslow to bid for the title of London Borough of Culture.

The strategy, covering the period 2026–2036, has been developed following extensive consultation with residents, artists, schools, cultural organisations and community groups and was approved at a recent council meeting. More than 600 people took part through surveys, workshops and events, helping to shape what the council describes as a “borough culture strategy” rather than a council-led plan alone.

Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, said the document would act as a “north star” for cultural development over the next decade, guiding investment, partnerships and regeneration decisions across Hounslow.

While the strategy outlines a wide-ranging programme of cultural growth, no new ring-fenced funding has yet been announced alongside its launch. Instead, the council commits to seeking external investment, lobbying government for multi-year cultural funding settlements, and embedding culture within regeneration and planning frameworks.

The document confirms ambitions to deliver two new arts and cultural centres – one in Brentford and one in Hounslow town centre – but funding models, timelines and delivery partners will be set out in future action plans. These plans will be reviewed every two years.

Brentford is identified as a major cultural anchor within the borough, benefiting from its riverside setting, industrial heritage and location along the Golden Mile Creative Enterprise Zone.

The strategy highlights Brentford’s strong existing offer, including Gunnersbury Park events, the Brentford Canal Festival, the Creative Mile and community-led activity supported by groups such as Brentford Voice. Heritage assets including Boston Manor House, the London Museum of Water and Steam and the Musical Museum are also recognised.

Key proposals include the new cultural arts hub, linked to the planned redevelopment of the former Brentford Police Station, greater use of meanwhile spaces for artists and creative businesses, closer partnerships with Golden Mile employers such as Sky and JCDecaux to support creative skills and pathways and embedding culture into major regeneration schemes and riverside development

The strategy states that Brentford will be developed as a “dynamic cultural and creative riverside hub” capable of attracting national and international visitors.

In Chiswick, the focus is on strengthening an already vibrant cultural scene while addressing gaps in access, youth provision and affordable creative space.

The strategy highlights Chiswick’s rich artistic and literary heritage, from William Hogarth to more recent creative figures, and its strong network of cultural assets. These include Chiswick House and Gardens, Hogarth’s House, the Tabard Theatre, Chiswick Cinema, Chiswick Book Festival and a wide range of outdoor spaces such as Dukes Meadows and Turnham Green.

Chiswick also records the highest formal cultural engagement in the borough, but the strategy acknowledges challenges hidden by overall affluence, including limited youth-focused cultural provision and a shortage of affordable production and rehearsal space.

Proposals specific to Chiswick include creating a “cultural spine” linking Chiswick High Road, the Tabard Theatre, Chiswick House, Hogarth’s House, Dukes Meadows and the riverside, exploring meanwhile use of vacant high street units and sites such as Stamford Brook Bus Garage for creative workshops and community use, reactivating civic buildings, including Chiswick Town Hall and libraries, for exhibitions, talks and creative activity and strengthening partnerships with independent venues, markets and community groups to broaden participation

Across the borough, the strategy is structured around three core themes: Celebrating People and Places, Fostering Talent and Partnerships, and Sustainable Cultural Renewal. Together, they aim to improve awareness of cultural activity, support local creatives, and ensure culture plays a role in economic growth, wellbeing and regeneration.

Action plans to deliver the strategy will be co-produced with partners across Hounslow and refreshed every two years, with progress measured through participation data, case studies and community feedback.