Future For Acton Arts Centre Will Be Known By Christmas
Trustee Doug Carnegie updates on latest developments
After a past of more than a century as a community asset in Acton, we should know by Christmas how Ealing Council sees the future of the Old Library in the High Street.
That’s when councillors decide if the building - closed for the last five years - is again to open its doors to the community it was given for by a Victorian businessman with at least as much sense as money.
Thanks to all of you who responded to our call for more potential trustees and advisers to chip in their thoughts on how best to commercially achieve the plan of making a cinema, restaurant, and flexible office space from the shell of this stunning building.
With Crossrail around the corner, and big residential schemes at The Oaks, Acton Gardens, and right across the road in the old Town Hall, people will need places to work and to enjoy themselves locally. We think the Old Library has scope for both - and is a big chance to create some day and night-time excitement in a High Street that’s struggled ever since Adam Faith, Sean Connery, Lionel Bart and three quarters of The Who moved on.
We're being considered for GLA funding to match developer finance to help give Acton back another one of its own. The thoroughly researched and costed bid will be with the Council before summer’s out.
You can give your support on our Facebook page - Acton arts centre - or the website: www.actonartsproject.com
We welcome any and all potential advisers. If you’re a sympathetic property lawyer or know of one, we’re particularly keen you stick your oar in....
Doug Carnegie (trustee)
5th September 2018