Forum Topic

Watermans Fire - an opportunity?

This might seem like a desperate attempt to see the glass as half full but maybe the Watermans Fire was not the complete disaster it appeared to be at first sight. The centre was still technically occupied by the Hounslow Arts Trust and it appears nothing significant could have been done to the structure until their lease was up in September.Now remedial work needs to be carried out straight away and insurance presumably will cover much of these costs and perhaps an extra pot of funding could be found to upgrade and repurpose the building.On the other hand someone who is a 'glass half empty' person will tell you that before the end of the year the council will announce that the cost of repairing the centre isn't justified and complete demolition is the only viable option.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 285d13 Comments

Feel just so sick about what's happened to beautiful Watermans. Is there any news about what's happened to Guru restaurant people? Have they received any compensation for being thrown out, or found another location? I hope so, they were great.

Rosemary Ward ● 277d

Hard to see the timing of these evictions as a coincidence.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 277d

The Waterman's site is still being used as a car park ... notwithstanding the ridiculous hoarding outside  ... which said it's not.The lighting in the building still works apparently ... whilst all around is an air of gloom and doom.The Max Factor building next door... that's likely to be emptied by the end of July ... adds to the intrigue.

Jim Lawes ● 277d

Okay perhaps I was being too optimistic about the fire and now with the squatters the situation may be irretrievable. Whatever state the building is in when they leave the council will now have to stump up for 24/7 probably on site security going forward which will be expensive and increase the temptation to cut their losses and demolish the building.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 278d

Interestingly the building next door to the closed and fire damaged Watermans Art Centre is about to hit the news channels.The old Max Factor offices have for some time been let out to a variety of small firms and more.Recently, for example, a religious organisation took over the top floor.In addition the Brentford Boat Club established a small gym there ... for the benefit of youngsters.Shock news for them all is that they've all been given notice to quit the premises by the end of July... by the Landlord ... whoever he or they may be.They all need help and advice as to where they can move on to.Brentford folk, generally speaking,have no idea about the financial monsters manoeuvring  behind the scenes!

Jim Lawes ● 279d

If 'squatters' are treated the same as travellers etc then it should be quite easy to evict them. (Note the 'if'.) Some months back a few people took up residence on the Griffin Park site, posting a 'legal' document as has been done at Waterman's. They were removed or left voluntarily after the Council and police paid them a visit.

Anne England ● 280d

You might be excused from thinking that the council might have known in the light of previous experience,that squatters were bound to move in,as they also have at the Sauki restaurant site.It will mean more expense,more delays,more red tape blah blah blah so it might just suit their purposes,if they know what those purposes are that is.They don't seem to have a clue how to progress the situation so they can sit on their hands and blame squatters.

Keith Iddon ● 280d

A number of people have taken up residence in the fire damaged and empty building it seems. At least it’s an ‘interim use’.

Simon Hayes ● 280d

It’s still remarkable how many buildings with planning or development issues mysteriously go up flames.  A cigarette butt seems a surprising cause in 2024 when there are so few smokers, though you’d like to think someone would still be responsible for clearing away dangerous accumulations of inflammable rubbish.

Peter Evans ● 283d

The Fire bobbies said the fire was the result of a discarded fag end meeting some rubbish which was up against an outside wall....

Keith Iddon ● 284d

I expect the Council is delighted at the prospect of the insurance claim in a building that was anyway earmarked for demolition.Hazel Dakers

Hazel Dakers ● 284d

I suspect they'll look and see what happens in similar situations. Cue the comparison with the old Brentford Police Station - huge building and site, and just left to rot as a decaying eyesore for a decade-plus, with only the occasional visits of vandals to ensure that it's not completely abandoned.I fear the fire at Waterman's would only have been an opportunity if the site was completely levelled...

Tim Barnes ● 284d

What would a realist say?

Keith Iddon ● 284d