Forum Topic

Watermans( Hounslow  Arts Trust.) Guy Lambert to the rescue

Message removed at author's request.

John Richard Todd ● 339d13 Comments

I would like to disassociate my post from the sentiment made in your reply,though jocular I'm sure it was.

Keith Iddon ● 327d

No, unless there’s cctv of guy Lambert having a sneaky fag round the back of the building.You are correct that it’s not unusual for this sort of thing to happen. Of course it will save hounslow council from having to go through the motions of an interim use selection.

Simon Hayes ● 327d

Don't hold your breath.I have seen this happen to other building that have present/future use controversy and I think  a malign reason is as likely as an accident.I suppose we will never know.

Keith Iddon ● 327d

Small studio destroyed with damage to the restaurant area below, apparently. It’s always a risk when buildings are left empty for any length of time. Even if it was an accident the fact nobody is on site to keep rubbish cleared away and to maintain the building makes such incidents more likely.I wonder if the damage, which looks substantial, will put paid to any interim use of the building? It will be costly to repair.

Simon Hayes ● 327d

Well would you believe it,with all the uncertainty and farting about over Waterman's,there was a fire there? Either it was accidental,or someone is getting impatient and is not keen on anyone else using the site while everyone sits with their thumbs up their bums waiting to know what will happen to the building.

Keith Iddon ● 327d

What normal people want to know is what interim use actually entails. Because without a cinema or theatre it will be a pretty hollow offering.

Simon Hayes ● 335d

It seems that much of the demise of Watermans is not entirely down to the council.Certainly the smoke and mirrors and secrecy doing a deal with a developer of a public facility paid for by taxpayers money with nothing but contempt for those few members of the public who tried to flag up what was going on, remains contemptible.But then the indifference of the community does not help.Some people have been warning of this going back near 20 years.But the Arts Trust itself has been a poor steward for at least the last 15 years. A culture that permeates in the Arts has diminished the place as an attraction.As many others have said, if you cannot make an arts centre thrive in what has to be one of the best locations possible, then something must be really wrong.This is a complete shambolic mess but a case of too many cooks, none of whom could boil and egg.

Raymond Havelock ● 335d

From what I heard, Waterman's management were keen for it to move to the new site.

Anne England ● 337d

As I have said before LBH should have insisted the watermans be redeveloped on the existing Prime site. It was a huge mistake for the planning committee to have it moved to the old Police station. Whoever decided that should be ashamed. They certainly were not looking after the interests of Brentford residents.

David Cook ● 337d

The Waterman’s was a going concern Philippa. It was run by people who supposedly knew what they were doing. Except they didn’t really believe in it. There was plenty of scope to improve the offer to bring more people through the doors. But they preferred to keep it niche for some reason.This has been discussed on other threads here, so go look it up.Whatever meantime use arises, if any do happen, won’t be anywhere near what could have been achieved by the HAT if it had been run properly.What were the councillors who were sitting as trustees doing? Clearly not paying attention to anything that was happening otherwise the closure wouldn’t have taken the lox as l community by surprise.There’s a lot of blame coming from those involved in this decision but very little acceptance of responsibility. Those of us who supported Waterman’s through thick and thin in recent years have been let down badly.

Simon Hayes ● 338d

Where are all your brilliant and optimistically useful ideas then Simon?

Philippa Bond ● 338d

That seems a very odd post to me. First, I have no idea where 'John Richard Todd' has picked up this story, which has no truth in it.Secondly, Councillor John Todd, whom I know well and greatly respect, has been posting quite regularly on this site and his  home Neighbournet site, ChiswickW4.com but always as John Todd, not John Richard Todd.As the story is nonsense and as John always shows dignity, I can only conclude this is not him posting this 'story'

Guy Lambert ● 339d

Surely he had his go at helping run the Waterman’s? Not sure his vast knowledge of the arts and culture sector added much value then. Not that his successor was any more useful.Maybe Lambert has got some ideas for things like synchronised cycling and mass virtue signaling to add to the offer. Thrilling. Still, he’s got time on his hands now that he’s been asked to stand down from cabinet. Better tell him that The guru isn’t there any more. That might change his mind!

Simon Hayes ● 339d